Rockford – The Rock Valley College Women’s bowling team has once again proven they are the best on the lanes by winning their fourth consecutive national title. At the National Junior College Athletic Association’s National Championship at Airport Lanes in Cheektowaga, New York, near Buffalo.
The RVC women were down 349 pins after 30 games, but they were able to dominate the field the rest of the way to finish with a 353-pin victory over Iowa Central.
“I felt determined. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy to make those pins up, but I knew we could do it. I tried my best not to let my teammates see me nervous, I wanted them to know that I had full confidence in all of them to pull off the win, said Madison Davenport, a standout sophomore.
Madison ended up winning the All Events, was named the Most Valuable Bowler of the tournament, and named an All-American, with a total pinfall of 2573 and a 214.4 average.
“The 4-pete was my main priority. Being able to pull off that win, especially being 350 pins down, is an indescribable feeling. It made all the early morning practices and long tournament weekends worth it. The individual wins meant a lot, but I tried keeping that out of my head,” said Madison.
The team this year is made up of five freshmen, two sophomores, and is coached by Mark Olsen and Tony Hall. RVC women’s bowling should be in good shape to make another run at a fifth title next year.
The RVC women’s team is more like a family than just teammates. Two of the bowlers are literally family. Madison and Cassidy Davenport are sisters and have bowled together for years.
“Winning a national championship is amazing on its own but being able to win it with my sister Cassie made it so much better. We have bowled together for so long, and to achieve this with her is a dream come true. I wouldn’t be the bowler I am without her bowling by my side,” Madison said.
Rock Valley College is known as “Home of Champions,” for the success of the athletic programs at the college. The women’s bowling team lives this excellence year after year.
“Winning with this group of girls was just such an amazing feeling. We all became family, and we all have worked so hard. The moment was just indescribable,” Madison said.
