Solid Performance at Georgia Tier I

Crimson Storm misses championship cut by just four pins; delivers tournament-best Day 2 performance in 25-team field

MARIETTA, Ga. — November 8, 2026 — The Southern Nazarene University men's bowling team continued its impressive 2026–27 campaign with a fifth-place finish at the Bowlero Southern Collegiate Classic, held November 7–8 at Bowlero Austell in Marietta, Georgia.

Competing in its second Tier I tournament of the season, the Crimson Storm finished with 8,634 total pins, falling just four pins short of advancing to the four-team championship bracket.

Despite narrowly missing the cut, Southern Nazarene delivered one of its strongest performances of the season on Sunday, leading the entire 25-team men's field in Day 2 scoring with 3,524 pins across 16 Baker games, an outstanding 220.25 average.

The result marks another significant step forward for a Southern Nazarene program that continues to establish itself among the competitive programs in collegiate bowling.

COACH JEFFREYS: "THIS WAS A SOLID TIER I PERFORMANCE"

Southern Nazarene Head Men's and Women's Bowling Coach Mark Jeffreys praised his team's effort, particularly its ability to respond after a challenging opening day.

"For this being our second Tier I, progress is being made," said Jeffreys. "Yes, we fell four pins short of making the final four cut. But the way this team continues to improve in areas that we had goals set for at the beginning of the year, with this being our fourth tournament, is something I'm extremely pleased with."

The Crimson Storm entered the tournament with an established record of competitive finishes, including a second-place qualifying performance at the Mid-States Championship and second- and fifth-place finishes in SWIBC competition.

The Southern Collegiate Classic provided another opportunity to measure the program against a strong national field.

"Fifth place in a Tier I with a really, really great field is a great thing for this program," Jeffreys said. "It continues to show how hard we're working."

STRONG START SETS THE TONE ON SATURDAY

Southern Nazarene opened Saturday's five-game traditional team competition with a strong 1,068 series before following with its best team game of the day, an impressive 1,166, representing a 233.2 average among the five bowlers.

The Crimson Storm recorded 5,110 pins during traditional team competition, averaging 1,022 pins per game.

The opening session featured outstanding individual performances, including a 280 game from Dylan Terada, a 256 from Jayden Kadooka and consistent scoring from senior Brandon Handog.

However, lane transitions and adjustments presented challenges as the competition progressed.

"There were certain pairs that you got on that you could figure them out pretty quick," Jeffreys explained. "The guys did a great job in key games reading and reacting."

Jeffreys identified the team's ability to recognize changing lane conditions more quickly as a critical area for improvement.

"In order for us to go from a really good team to a great team, we have to become better at reading and reacting when we move pair to pair after each game," Jeffreys said.

SUNDAY'S PERFORMANCE SHOWCASES THE CRIMSON STORM'S POTENTIAL

After reviewing Saturday's performance and discussing adjustments, Southern Nazarene returned Sunday with a renewed focus on reading and reacting, execution and communication.

The response was impressive.

The Crimson Storm posted 3,524 pins in 16 Baker games, the highest Day 2 total in the 25-team field.

Southern Nazarene finished 70 pins ahead of Tennessee Wesleyan University, which posted 3,454, and 148 pins ahead of Webber International University, which recorded 3,376.

The Crimson Storm's 220.25 Baker average demonstrated the team's ability to execute consistently under tournament pressure.

"I truly believe that on day two on Sunday, that was probably our best set of the season," Jeffreys said. "We only had one movement where we got just a little bit lost, but we bounced back and actually led the 25-team field on day two in 16 Baker games."

While the performance was not quite enough to secure a championship-bracket berth, it reinforced the team's continued development.

INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCES HIGHLIGHT TEAM DEPTH

Several Southern Nazarene student-athletes made significant contributions throughout the weekend.

Jayden Kadooka led the Crimson Storm during Saturday's traditional competition with a five-game total of 1,102 pins, averaging 220.4. Kadooka opened with a 256 and closed with a 239, providing consistent production near the top of the lineup.

Dylan Terada delivered one of the tournament's most impressive individual games, rolling a 280 during Saturday's second game. Terada finished with 1,082 pins and a 216.4 average over five games.

Jeffreys specifically recognized Terada's contributions throughout the tournament, including Sunday's Baker competition.

"Dylan Terada really stepped up," Jeffreys said. "He had a great day two."

Senior Brandon Handog continued to provide valuable leadership, finishing Saturday's traditional competition with 1,073 pins and a 214.6 average. Handog recorded five consecutive games of 200 or better, including a closing 225.

Jeffreys credited Handog with helping maintain the team's confidence and momentum during difficult stretches.

"This team is led by the senior leadership of Brandon Handog," Jeffreys said. "When we were struggling a little bit on day one, he kind of kept the momentum going for us and really stepped up on day two in critical situations."

Riley Speer added a five-game total of 1,018 pins, averaging 203.6. Speer finished Saturday's traditional competition with a strong 241 game.

"Riley was clutch in so many situations on our Sunday bounce back," Jeffreys said. "Just a tremendous team player."

Freshman Jacob Tirado, from New York, gained valuable tournament experience, recording 517 pins across three traditional games, including a 220.

"Jacob Tirado got a lot of playing time this weekend," Jeffreys said. "The freshman from New York is learning what it takes to make shots under pressure."

The combination of experienced leadership, individual scoring ability and developing younger players continues to provide Southern Nazarene with valuable depth as the season progresses.

A PROGRAM BUILDING TOWARD MARCH AND APRIL

Through four tournaments, Southern Nazarene has demonstrated its ability to compete with established collegiate bowling programs.

The Crimson Storm's results include a runner-up qualifying finish at the Mid-States Tier I Championship, two competitive SWIBC finishes and now a fifth-place result at the Southern Collegiate Classic.

Jeffreys believes the team's greatest opportunity for improvement remains in its ability to adjust more quickly to changing lane conditions.

The narrow four-pin margin separating Southern Nazarene from the championship bracket provided a reminder of how important every frame can become in a Tier I tournament.

But the team's performance on Sunday also demonstrated the potential that exists within the program.

"As we continue to go through the season and we know what the goal is, and that's coming up in the month of March and April, I think this is another great step in pursuing what our goal has been all year long," Jeffreys said.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR SOUTHERN NAZARENE

The Crimson Storm will return to competition next weekend in Arlington, Texas, before turning its attention to the final Tier I tournament of the season in Fairview Heights, Illinois, two weeks later.

With momentum building and the postseason still several months away, Southern Nazarene remains focused on continued improvement and positioning itself for another strong national championship run.

"Very, very proud of what these kids accomplished in Marietta, Georgia," Jeffreys concluded.

SOUTHERN NAZARENE UNIVERSITY MEN'S BOWLING

2026–27 Season | Bowlero Southern Collegiate Classic

Final Qualifying Finish: 5th of 25 Teams

Overall Pinfall: 8,634

Margin from Championship Cut: 4 Pins

Day 2 Finish: 1st of 25 Teams

Day 2 Baker Total: 3,524

Day 2 Baker Average: 220.25