JACKSON, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University men's bowling team opened the 2026-27 season with a tournament victory Saturday, finishing first among 11 teams at the WHAC Open at JAX 60.

The Cougars posted a tournament-best total of 6,718 pins, edging Indiana Wesleyan by 13 pins and Lawrence Tech by 23. Spring Arbor rolled team games of 1,188, 1,084 and 1,110 before adding Baker scores of 817, 832, 827 and 860 to secure the title.

Spring Arbor entered the Baker portion of the tournament with 3,382 pins through its three traditional games. The Cougars then totaled 3,336 pins across the four Baker sets to finish with a 216.71 team average for the event.

Connor Rogus led Spring Arbor individually, finishing tied for 14th with a three-game total of 678. Rogus opened with a 258 before adding games of 176 and 244. Owen Williams was right behind him, tying for 15th with a 677 series on games of 244, 212 and 221.

Joe Merz gave the Cougars a third top-20 finisher, placing 19th with a 668 series. Merz rolled games of 212, 244 and 212. Anthony Fotis also finished tied for 20th at 653.

Spring Arbor finished ahead of Indiana Wesleyan (6,705), Lawrence Tech (6,695), Northwestern Ohio (6,503) and Indiana Tech (6,494) to round out the top five.

Spring Arbor will compete at the NAIA Invitational in Addison, Illinois on Oct. 16-17.