Pikeville University WINS NAIA National Championship

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Ljacks&Longnecks
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Coached by Amber Lemke--former SFA Bowling coach. Way to go McBroom.

So very happy for her.

Pikeville (Ky.) Rolls, as Bears Secure 2026 Red Banner in Rematch of 2024 Women's Bowling Championship
Mar 21, 2026




LANSING, Mich. - Pikeville (Ky.) is the 2026 NAIA Women's Bowling National Champion, claiming the Red Banner in a rematch, reversing the fortune of its last title-match appearance two years ago by beating SCAD Savannah (Ga.) at Royal Scot in Lansing, Mich., March 21.
SCAD Savannah had intentions set on a fourth championship in the last five seasons and claimed a narrow middle set, but Pikeville was poised to convert in its second championship match appearance in school history, in the best-of-seven closer. The Bears accomplished, stopping a dramatic run for SCAD that included not only the slim second-set win but also a late-night Friday victory and another early Saturday to reach the final. Entering the 2026 final, SCAD Savannah had been 4-0 in four previous championship-match appearances.
The championship match began with the traditional singles game, where Pikeville established an early lead by posting a team total of 996 to SCAD Savannah's 922. Brianna Rogers led the Bears with a strong 222, followed closely by Cierra Gabriel with a 216 as well as Katarina Hagler with a 200. The Bees were paced by Paristyn Mendones, who turned in the highest score of the round with a 224. Carly Zuklin added a solid 213, but lower scores at the bottom of the lineup allowed Pikeville to claim the first point.
SCAD Savannah refused to go down without a fight in the five-game Baker set. The Bees found their rhythm, totaling 1034 to edge out Pikeville's 974. SCAD closed the set with their two highest games, a 212 and a 225, to secure the pinfall point and tie the Mega Match at 1-1. Pikeville remained steady with high games of 220 and 222, but they could not match the late-set scoring explosion from the Bees.
With the National Championship hanging in the balance, the match moved to a best-of-seven Baker matchplay. Pikeville's experience shone through as they dominated the session, winning the point 3-1 to secure the 2-1 Mega Match victory. Pikeville swept through four straight games, including a nail-biting one-pin victory in Game 2 (212-211), to clinch the title.
BigJack85
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Good for Coach. Disappointed they ditched a sport we had won national championships in.
Axe 'Em Jacks - Class of 85'
SCH890
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BigJack85 said:

Good for Coach. Disappointed they ditched a sport we had won national championships in.

I did see again that the sports are meant to be instated. But I guess we never found a Bowling Coach for that replacement?

https://www.cbs19.tv/article/news/local/judge-orders-sfa-to-maintain-womens-sports-title-ix-lawsuit/501-0afbc5c4-0d18-4255-a910-7fcebad77fb1

https://www.chron.com/sports/college/article/sfa-womens-sports-22075631.php

https://www.ketk.com/news/local-news/judge-rules-sfa-must-maintain-all-womens-sports-teams-in-title-ix-lawsuit/
"To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of life."
Ljacks&Longnecks
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That's the story we were told, that no one applied for the job. If I were cynical, I would not believe it.
However, if I were a respected or up and coming Bowling coach, I doubt that I would have applied for the job based on the unprofessional way it was handled by not giving anyone a longer window of time in letting them know the programs were to be cut. Or that even if reinstated, how long would it last. Same for any student bowler that would have considered SFA as a choice.

Another nice feather in the cap for Coach Amber, and I hope she continues to have great success.

And I will continue to "Don Quixote" against this windmill as I continue to resent the cutting of a 2 time National Championship sport.
SCH890
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Ljacks&Longnecks said:

That's the story we were told, that no one applied for the job. If I were cynical, I would not believe it.
However, if I were a respected or up and coming Bowling coach, I doubt that I would have applied for the job based on the unprofessional way it was handled by not giving anyone a longer window of time in letting them know the programs were to be cut. Or that even if reinstated, how long would it last. Same for any student bowler that would have considered SFA as a choice.

Another nice feather in the cap for Coach Amber, and I hope she continues to have great success.

And I will continue to "Don Quixote" against this windmill as I continue to resent the cutting of a 2 time National Championship sport.

More than fair points! It was more a guess than anything else.
"To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of life."
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