Golden-Eagles-Roll-to-Ninth-National-Championship-in-Program-History.php

Golden Eagles Roll to Ninth National Championship in Program History

  • Students
  • 03/09/2026

Rock Valley College bowling continues to build a championship legacy, as the Golden Eagles captured the program’s ninth national title across the men’s and women’s teams with the men’s team claiming the 2026 NJCAA Men’s Bowling National Championship.

 

Eight Caucasian young men wearing championship gear, two are holding a bowling trophy

2026 Men's Bowling National Championship Team

Competing at the national tournament at Royal Scot in Lansing, Michigan, Rock Valley led the field from start to finish and secured the title with a 350-pin victory over Iowa Western, finishing with a total of 13,910 pins. The Golden Eagles entered the tournament as the top-ranked NJCAA team in USBC points and established an early advantage, holding a 433-pin lead after doubles and singles competition over Barton Community College. While Iowa Western surged from sixth to second place during team games, Rock Valley maintained a commanding margin throughout the event to clinch the championship.

The victory marks the fifth NJCAA men’s national championship for Rock Valley in eight appearances, adding to the program’s growing list of national titles.

Individually, Rylan Voyles led the Golden Eagles with a fourth-place finish and earned NJCAA All-American honors after recording a 2,529 total pinfall and a 210.9 average. Teammate Clark Bonnewell also earned NJCAA All-American recognition, finishing sixth with a 2,480 pinfall and a 206.7 average.

Rock Valley’s championship performance was supported by strong contributions throughout the lineup, including Aiden Watts (2,452), Charlie Hunt (2,421), and Austin Cetwinski (2,408).

With this latest victory, Rock Valley’s bowling program now holds nine national championships overall, including five men’s titles (2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026) and four women’s titles (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025).

“It’s pretty incredible, we’ve won nine national championships at RVC. It shows the support of the bowling community in Rockford and how great everything is around here for bowling.”
Tony Hall, Men's Bowling Head Coach

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