Bowlers poised for third straight national title

April 14, 2008 —

by Adam Baudoux

The brothers MacLelland, Dan and Steve prepare for this weekend's national tournament. The two have had strong winters, heading into nationals with the top two averages on the team. Dan with a 213.91 average, and Steve with a 210.74 average.

SVSU's bowlers are headed to the national championships this week for the third consecutive year at Wichita State University (WSU) in Wichita, Kan.

Winning the championship both last year and the year before, the team hopes to take home the title once again. WSU is the only team in USBC Nationals history to win the title three years in a row.

"The main thing here is trying for that three-peat," junior and player of the year candidate Dan MacLelland said. "It's only been done once so I want to be the second. I want SVSU to be up there saying they are the ones that have also done it."

Although the season started slow, SVSU managed to take first place in seven tournaments, and second place in four. SVSU is also currently ranked No. 1 in the Coaches' Poll by the National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association, with seven first place votes.

The Cardinals finished No. 1 in their sectional in Chattanooga, Tenn., beating the second-best team by over 500 pins. MacLelland won the single sectional competition with a total pinfall of 1,406 and will compete in the USBC Intercollegiate Singles Competition in May.

"I am always excited when the team makes it to nationals, but I just really can't wait to bowl to tell you the truth. That's the way I always am," MacLelland said. "Until they say 'start bowling' I'm just laid back and being myself, but as soon as the lights come on it's a different mindset. I'm so into it that I want to do nothing but be perfect on every shot. And that's what I strive for."

Despite their success, coach Dan Dorian says all competition will be tough.

"There's nobody that you can take lightly," he said. "It doesn't matter that we're number one. If they knock down more pins, they win."

SVSU is currently ranked second in the nation with competitors Lindenwood University at third and William Paterson at fourth. Their main rival, WSU, has the No. 1 spot.

"I always think Wichita State is our biggest rival," Dorian said. "They have won seven national championships since 1975 and they get to pick the best players in the world. We don't."

Competition will begin Thursday with 32 games of bowling. Teams that aren't eliminated will advance into the semi-finals on Saturday morning, and then to the finals Saturday afternoon.

"It's a tough thing to go to nationals," Dorian said. "It takes a full team of players to constantly make good shots."

"I think we'll do great," MacLelland said. "I have nothing but great expectations for our team. If we go out there and have the mindset when we were at sectionals and lead by 500 pins, then we will bring home the title again. But if there is any doubt or fear then we'll have a long road ahead of us."

The Cardinals will likely depend on MacLelland to have a big week during nationals, as he's been one of the nation's best bowlers this year. Dorian says MacLelland is one of the best players in the nation and will likely win the the nation's most valuable player, when it is announced this week

"He makes the players around him better than they thought they could be," Dorian said. "It's like having another coach there."