Jay Recher of the San Jose State University Bowling team throws his ball down the lane during a practice session in the Student Union’s bowling area. JaShong King / Daily Staff [Click to enlarge]

Chris Cabanban, right, and Phil Campit, center, have conversation between shots while Robert Anderson, left, prepares to bowl his frame. JaShong King / Daily Staff [Click to enlarge]

JaShong King / Daily Staff [Click to enlarge]

Lindsey Wong, head coach of the SJSU men’s bowling team, said this year’s team has a lot of potential and is looking forward to having a successful season.

The team has been practicing for about a month in preparation for the 2001–2002 season, said Spartan assistant coach Brad Bargabus.

“We have seven returning players, some of which are on their fourth year, so they have a lot of experience with collegiate play,” Bargabus said. “They have a lot of potential. There’s no doubt about it.”

Rehfeld, who has a bowling average of 205, said everyone on the team has bowled a perfect game (300) at least once.

Bargabus said he thinks the team has the potential to be a cohesive unit that has the same goal, which is to go to the national championship.

“One of the notables from last year is Phil Campit, who was in the top 20 in overall averages, edging out several hundred bowlers. Darren Francisco who won an award for honorable mention was the eighth-top average. Jason Rehfeld, our captain, also contributes well because he is a very consistent bowler,” Bargabus said.

Last year’s team was ranked No. 7 in the country, according to Wong.

The Spartans won the men’s division of the 28th annual West Coast Collegiate Team Championship, which was held at UC Davis, Bargabus said.

Other achievements from last year include placing second in the men’s 2000 Weber State University Intercollegiate Bowling Championship and fourth in the 2001 Sectional Qualifier in Phoenix.

Rehfeld, Campit, Francisco and Nolen Velasco Jr. were on the Northern California Intercollegiate Bowling Conference 2000-2001 Championship team.

The first tournament for this season scheduled for November at UC Davis. The first conference matches are slated for Oct. 27 and 28 at Fresno State University, Bargabus said.

The main rival for SJSU this season is Arizona State University, which the Spartans beat last year in the fourth round of the National Intercollegiate Championship.

“In nationals, we had one loss and if we got one more loss, we would be kicked out of the tournament, Bargabus said. “We bowled against them and in our last game, we got some strikes, they were having problems, we dominated and sent them home.”

Cliff Conard, a third-year student with an undeclared major, said he hopes the team will do as good as it did last season.

Another rival includes Sacramento State University, Rehfeld said. The team is looking forward to playing against Fresno State as well as other of the nation’s top teams, Wong said.

“Wichita (State) and (University of) Nebraska are always one of the top teams,” he said. “You always want to try and compete well in those events and try to beat them.”

Wong said he hopes the team can continue the program’s long tradition of winning.

“With this group of players, it’s definitely one of the most talented teams we have had in recent times,” Wong said.

Photos by JaShong King, Daily Staff