The Youngstown State University women’s bowling team struck it rich last weekend in Las Vegas by establishing themselves as the undisputed kingpins of collegiate bowling in the entire United States.

The seasoned and sophisticated squad used talent, teamwork and tenacity to capture the 2025 National Collegiate Bowling Championship. In so doing, the team also brought unprecedented glory to their university and the Mahoning Valley by sealing the first national title of any women’s athletic program in the 117-year history of YSU.

We therefore heartily congratulate team members, coach Doug Kuberski, assistant coach Mackenzie Olesky and the legions of die-hard fans who supported them each and every frame along the way to their successful quest for the best.

The Penguins knocked off No. 1 seed and defending national champion Jacksonville State 4-3 in a best-of-seven Baker match last Saturday at Suncoast Bowling Center to secure the program’s first national championship.

The road to the team’s third appearance in the Final Four of the NCAA tournament and its dominance in the finals did not come without the top-notch experience and resilience of the well-oiled team.

The program has been led by its six seniors, including fifth-year Penguins Madyson Marx and Kirsten Moore, who made it to the NCAA Tournament every year of their careers. Jade Cote, one of the four fourth-year seniors, anchored the Penguins throughout the season and regional and finals tournaments. She deservedly brought home additional honors as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Fellow senior Madison Doseck led off and gave the Penguins momentum throughout the weekend and freshman Kara Beissel stepped into a big role in the second slot in the lineup.

Since Kuberski took over the program seven years ago, that senior class has been largely responsible for helping turn YSU into one of the country’s elite bowling programs that competes at the highest level on an annual basis.

Graduate students Marx and Moore were part of the Penguins’ first Final Four team in 2021, while Marx, Moore and the other seniors — Cote, Doesck, Ellie Drescher and Lyndsay Ennis — have led the team to back-to-back Final Fours.

That’s not to say, however, that the team has no talent to spare for future appearances in the national spotlight. Also displaying prowess prominently in Final Four team play were junior Hannah Miller, sophomore Amanda Granata and freshman Beissel. They and other underclassmen on the squad hold promise for keeping the championship caliber of the team on a roll for many seasons to come.

For now, however, the team members deserve a few moments to relax and savor their success and accomplishments.

As coach Kuberski aptly put it, “I think what they’ve done to the program and the culture, just taking it, elevating it and growing it, has been incredible.”

We couldn’t agree more.