The San Jose State University bowling Club was fired up after ranking eighth, seeding 12th and finishing eighth at the April 23-27 national intercollegiate Bowling Championships in Tulsa, Okla.
Spartan head coach Jason Rehfeld said the team was close to qualifying for one of four final spots in the 16-team competition.
First, they lost to the Wichita (Kan.) State University Shockers from KS who were ranked No. 1 in the tournament and seeded fifth with a score of 4.5-1.5. They then played Vicennes University for their second match and won 4-1.
"We lost against Wichita for our first loss," Rehfeld said. "You can only lose twice at the qualifying matches prior to the finals for the top four places. We then sent the team seeded fourth back home to Vincennes University, Indiana."
Rehfeld said the team's spirit was even higher for their third match when they won 4-3 against the University of Kansas team from Lawrence, Kan.
"We defeated Kansas for their second loss," Rehfeld said. "We sent them home although they were ranked No. 5 and seeded first for the tournament."
Then they drew again for their fourth and final match and lost to Wichita for the second time with a score of 4-1 in the double-elimination tournament.
SJSU's Alex Sala said the Spartans felt they were in striking distance of making it to the final four qualifying matches.
"We beat the No. 5 team that was seeded No. 1 after the qualifying matches," Sala said. "It was the luck of the draw to go up against Wichita twice."
Spartan Nolen Velasco said the team brought back better information about how to play in tougher conditions.
"The lane surface was smoother with longer oiling and heavy density patterns," Velasco said. "The ball doesn't hook as much with less friction."
Teammate Phil Campit agreed that different conditions are important to study.
"There are obstacles you can't see," Campit said. "The younger members of the team now have had a chance to learn about them."
Spartan Jay Recher said lane surfaces and the mental game are important to learn about.
"You need to adjust to the oil on the lane," Recher said. "You have to be able to read the lane. It is an overlooked part of the sport."
Recher said lanes were oiled after every two matches, and it is like a sand or water trap in a golf game and should be considered an obstacle.
"Oil will make a ball skid and a dry spot will make it hook," he said.
Rehfeld said SJSU is ranked first in the western region, but the opportunities to remain competitive in every facet of the national competition will have a lot to do with being able to find corporate contributions in the future.
"Scholarships and professional advice about the inner game from sports psychologists can make a team more successful," Rehfeld said. "We also want to travel to judge where we fit in the mix."
Rehfeld said the team would continue to look for additional funding for next semester with corporate sponsors in addition to the small amount they receive from the percentage of the regular Tuesday night bowling fees, flat donations and bowl-a-thons.
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