When the decision was made to have a bowling program at Jacksonville State one could only assume that the hope was for a strong showing in the first year. To have a Jacksonville State Women’s Bowling Team that someday down the road could compete strongly in national events. That had to be the reasoning behind hiring PWBA star and definite future hall of famer Shannon O’Keefe and her husband Bryan O’Keefe as the Coordinator of Athletic Operations for Bowling.
I don’t think there was the slightest bit of expectation that O’Keefe would lead the team to be the National Champions in just one year. That seems like a lofty goal for anyone to undertake. As they say though, dreams do come true. The Alabama News Center states “The victory is believed to be the first college national championship won by any team in any sport during its inaugural year of competition.” I did a quick search and did not find any teams in any sports who have accomplished that task.
Rolling through the brackets
The Gamecocks rolled through the 4 team double elimination brackets powerfully by going undefeated the entire weekend. That was not a surprise though. They had a 97-23-0 won-loss record for the season. Just another example of Jacksonville State’s desire to take its new program and make the most out of it.
Saturday night’s nationally televised event was a back-and-forth between the top two teams in the country. Arkansas State gave the Gamecocks all they could handle going into the last match with a 3-3 tie. The final game was won by Jacksonville State rolling a 255 game.
Honors for the Jacksonville State Women’s Bowling Team
On the night before the tournament at the pre-championship banquet, the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) announced its end-of-season awards. Division I Player of the Year honors went to Graduate senior Rebecca Hagerman. Hagerman, and graduate seniors Crystal Elliott and Maranda Pattison, were named to the All-America First Team while senior Isabel Allen grabbed second-team honors.
The honors come on the eve of Jax State’s first appearance in the NCAA Bowling Championship on Friday morning. In the program’s inaugural season, Jax State had a historic season that has seen it win nine total tournaments and catapult into the top spot in the national rankings.
A Highly successful coach
Shannon has amassed quite a list of accomplishments in her 26 years as a professional bowler. She is without a doubt headed to the PWBA Hall Of Fame, and most likely the USBC Hall Of Fame.
18-time Member Team USA.
15-time PWBA Champion
3 PWBA Major Titles
3-time player of the year.
8-time World Champion.
As a college coach, she took McKendree to two national championships and one second-place finish.
O’Keefe didn’t just bring her expertise and accomplishments in bowling with her from McKendree. She has 7 loyal women who admired her so much that they wanted to go with her to Jacksonville State. I am sure that the weather in Alabama is nicer than in Illinois, I am also sure that had little to do with it. When you have the skill, personality, and credentials as a coach that she possesses then your team will want to follow you.
No rest for the team
On Saturday they win the NCAA National Championships, then Wednesday starts the USBC’s Intercollegiate Team Championships at Kingpin Lanes in Louisville, Ky. The Championships include both singles and team events.
For more information about the USBC National Champions visit the USBC website.
Brad is a Certified Webmaster with over 25 years of experience. He is the webmaster/writer/editor of On The Move with Sportzkelz.
He is a content creator and owns the Facebook page Big Rad Bowling, and the YouTube channel Big Rad Bowling
Brad has covered many top bowling events such as the NCAA Women’s Championships in Columbus, Ohio. He has also covered the PBA 50+ event at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl, and the Mega event at HP Lanes in Columbus.
He is an accomplished senior bowler holding one Senior Singles League Championship. He is the current year average leader for the LBA Seniors singles league.
