Feature: Dynasty to Destiny: HVCC Bowling’s Championship Revival
Back to the Glory Days — And Building Something Even Bigger
There is a familiar sound echoing once again through bowling centers across the region, the sharp crack of pins exploding, teammates and coaches cheering, and a historic program reminding everyone exactly who they are.
The bowling tradition at Hudson Valley Community College is no longer just a story from the record books. It is a living, thriving championship culture, one built on legacy, pride, and people.
For those who remember the dominant run of the 1980s, when the men's program captured nine straight Mountain Valley Conference championships from 1983 to 1991, this moment feels familiar. Last month, the men's team secured its 28th conference championship and sixth straight since 2020 (excluding the COVID-canceled 2021 season). On the national stage, the Vikings are knocking loudly as they finished second at the 2025 NJCAA National Championships and continue to position themselves as one of the premier programs in junior college bowling. The men's bowling program has had 16 top 5 finishes at the national championships, never winning, but placed runner-up seven times (1986, 1988, 1990, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2025)
For the women's program that just won its first NJCAA Region 3 championship for the first time since 2010, are looking to claim its third national championship after reaching the pinnacle in 1995 and 2010, respectively. The Vikings women's bowling program has 17 top 5 finishes at the national championships which is second most in NJCAA history, behind Erie's 39 top 5 finishes. The women have not finished inside the top five since 2014 and are looking to change that this week at the NJCAA championships in Lansing, Michigan.
But the championship success can only touch on part of the story. The Vikings' bowling program has always been about the people. The coaches, the students and its supporters.
From Legendary Roots to Modern Momentum
For 31 seasons, legendary head coach Joe Prest, a 2001 NJCAA Bowling Hall of Fame inductee, shaped the foundation of the HVCC bowling programs. Beginning with the men's team in 1987 and adding the women's program in 1988, Prest established a standard that still guides the program today.
Under Coach Prest, he guided the men's team to a perfect 30-0 regular season in 2010 and finished second at nationals. He also led the women's program to two NJCAA national titles in 1995 and 2010. When Prest retired following the 2018–19 season, the question was not whether the program would continue, it was how it would evolve.
Enter head coach Chris Claus and assistant coach Josh McCart, both products of growing up on the bowling lanes, both deeply connected to the program, and both determined to bring HVCC back to national prominence.
Claus spent five years as an assistant coach before taking over as the head coach in 2024 and McCart bowled for Coach Prest and HVCC in 2017 and 2018 before returning to give back to the program that shaped him.
Together, they have restored the Vikings to the national conversation. In the first full season together, Coach Claus and Coach McCart guided the men's program to a second-place finish at the 2025 NJCAA National Championships and was the top non-scholarship program.
Precision, Passion, and the Pursuit of 300
In bowling, perfection has a number: 300. This season, the men's bowling team had two individuals reach the bowling landmark, Sal IaVarone (Clifton Park / Shenendehowa) and Aidan Rutski (Kingston / Kingston). IaVarone hit his first 300 game on January 23 at the Mohawk Valley hosted conference match in Utica, NY. A week later, Rutski bowled his first career 300 game at the conference match, hosted by Herkimer on January 31.
The odds of a professional bowler rolling a sanctioned 300 game are roughly 460-to-1. For average bowlers, the odds climb to approximately 11,500-to-1. Over 154 years of Major League Baseball history, there have only been 24 perfect games — a comparison that underscores just how rare perfection truly is.
Coach Claus understands that rarity firsthand. He rolled his first sanctioned 300 game in 1999 at just 16 years old. Since then, he has recorded 31 sanctioned 300 games — 30 right-handed and one left-handed — placing him among the sport's elite one-percenters.
Assistant coach McCart also knows the feeling. He bowled seven 300 games in his career, and he still describes the final frame of a perfect game as nerve-wracking. "After that 11th strike," McCart often explains, "it's belief and confidence. All eyes are on you. You have to trust yourself."
That mental strength — frame to frame, adjustment to adjustment — is at the core of HVCC's coaching philosophy.
Coach Claus is known for identifying the smallest technical details: hand position, release timing, footwork, balance, oil pattern transitions. He compares reading a lane to reading an invisible putting green in golf. As oil patterns break down over the course of competition, bowlers must constantly adjust — selecting different balls the way golfers select different clubs.
The modern game has also evolved. Where once most athletes used a traditional one-handed delivery, many now compete with a powerful two-handed style. The Vikings adapt with the sport, teaching both technique and versatility.
But for Claus, it always comes back to focus. "How quickly your focus can change — that's everything," he emphasizes. "You have to adjust every frame."
The ultimate moment for a 300 score is at the NJCAA national championships. There have been 10 300-games at the national championships and three of them were accomplished by Hudson Valley student-athletes. Kevin Famularo was the first student to record a 300 at nationals in 1989, followed by Joe Spretty (1995) and Paul Bonesteel (2000).
Student First. Athlete Second.
Championships matter. Grade Point Average matters more.
Coach Claus' mission is clear: graduate with a degree, open doors for the future, and leave HVCC prepared for life.
With enrollment growing and academic offerings expanding — from digital media to nursing and medical fields to cybersecurity — HVCC provides a powerful recruiting advantage. The affordability of a two-year education, combined with strong transfer pathways to four-year institutions, makes it an attractive destination for student-athletes.
Claus sets an ambitious internal goal each year: achieve the highest GPA in HVCC athletics. He implements team study halls when needed and is constantly communicating with his student-athletes about their academic progress throughout the year. He emphasizes all the academic and student support resources the College has available for all students and encourages them to use them to their advantage. The message from the coaching staff is consistent — you are here for an education.
"Student first and athlete second," Claus reminds his teams.
The coaches also stress life skills: professionalism, accountability, respect. They serve as mentors, helping student-athletes navigate challenges both on and off the lanes.
A Family Culture That Wins
The camaraderie inside the program is tangible.
The women's team feeds off energy, cheers echoing after big strikes. The men may be quieter, but their competitive fire burns just as strong. Many athletes have bowled together for years before arriving at HVCC, creating instant chemistry and the teammates lift one another after difficult frames.
Leadership has emerged naturally. Laney Brown has become a vocal presence for the women's team — ensuring everyone is prepared and ready, serving as the "mother hen" of the group. On the men's side, leaders like Aidan and Sal have carried forward lessons learned from graduating athletes, modeling consistency and poise for the freshman class.
The women recently captured their first Region 3 title and completed two straight undefeated seasons, a remarkable turnaround from the post-COVID years when fielding full rosters was a challenge. It is a testament to resilience of the coaching staff and the student-athletes.
On the men's side, the hunger remains strong. A second-place national finish is fuel, not fulfillment as there is unfinished business for both programs as they enter this week's NJCAA National Championships in Lansing, MI.
Expanding the Footprint
The coaches are committed to increasing the program's visibility as their commitment to community involvement is growing. Youth programs at local bowling centers introduce the next generation to the sport. Coach Claus has been involved in Saturday morning youth leagues and travel programs since 1987, continuing to mentor young bowlers whenever his schedule allows. McCart, too, stays immersed in the youth bowling community. Both coaches grew up in bowling alleys. Few people get paid to do what they love. They do not take that privilege lightly.
"Hard to believe people still say they didn't know HVCC has a bowling program," Claus admits. "We're looking to change that." And they are.
The goals are bold for the future of HVCC bowling. Coach Claus and Coach McCart are focused on maintaining competitive men's and women's rosters as they continue to work to bring a national championship back to Troy, NY. They also hope to bolster the transferability of our student-athletes so they can earn scholarship opportunities at the four-year level and help them prepare for life beyond HVCC. Those are the victories that matter most.
For prospective students, the message is clear. At Hudson Valley Community College, you can compete at a national level. You can earn a respected degree and chase the opportunity to win a bowling championship.
By the Numbers: National Championship Spotlight
The first appearance at the NJCAA national championships was in 1972.
NJCAA Men's Bowling Individual National Champions
2006 – Kyle Haines – 648
2024 – Matt DiGuilio – 648
2025 – Salvatore Iavarone – 764
NJCAA Men's Bowling Doubles National Champions
1988 – Joe Gleason & John Panetta – 1,340
1990 – Eric Kepner & Tom Kretzler – 1,365
2008 – Ryan Paulson & Dan Rowe – 1,243
2011 – John Pulver & Bill Pulver – 1,299
Hudson Valley men's bowling has had 16 top 5 finishes at the national championships, never winning, but placed runner-up seven times, including 2025 (1986, 1988, 1990, 2010, 2011, 2012)
The Hudson Valley men's bowling program is all over the NJCAA men's bowling record books. As a team, HVCC holds three team records:
- Highest Single Game Score – 1,247 (1995)
- Highest 3-Game Series Score – 3,490 (1990)
- Highest 6-game Series Score – 6.720 (1990)
All-Americans:
All-Time NJCAA Men's Bowling All-Americans (Place Finished)
2025:
Aidan McCarthy (5th)
Salvatore IaVarone (6th)
Tyler Drexel (7th)
2012
Ryan Sickler (6th)
2011
Ryan Sickler (3rd)
2010
Alex Weglarz (3rd)
Bill Pulver (4th)
2008
Ryan Paulson (4th)
1994
Chuck Badillo (2nd)
Brian Badillo (5th)
1990
Eric Kepner (3rd)
1989
Tom Kretzler (2nd team -8th)
Don Betts (2nd team – 9th)
1988
Mark Ray (1st team – 4th)
Joe Gleason (1st team – 5th)
1986
Paul Zaqistowski (2nd team – 7th)
Gerald Kalher (2nd team – 8th)
Mike Pilla (2nd team – 10th)
1973
Pat Tome (1st team – 4th)
NJCAA Women's Bowling Individual National Champions (Place Finished)
1995 – Heather Selig – 622
1998 – Kate Gardner – 704
2002 – Erin Fagan – 624
2006 – Kristina Jenkins – 630
2010 – Rebecca Duncan – 653
All Events Champion
2007 – Kristina Jenkins – 2,216
2010 – Devan Hodlik – 2,542
2011 – Megan Mormino – 2,330
Doubles Champions
2000 – Nicole Nault & Linda Follett – 1,197
2003 – Katie Duncan & Erin Fagan – 1,168
2007 – Jayme Nieckarz & Kelly Borden – 1,106
2009 – Alicia Brisson & Devan Hodlik – 1,190
2010 – Nicole Sheldan & Devan Hodlik – 1,250
2011 – Megan Mormino & Nicole Sheldan – 1,166
More NJCAA Championship records:
Highest Single Game Score – Linda Follett – 290 (2000)
Highest 3-Game Series Score – Sue Burns – 772 (1990)
Highest Single Game Team Score – 1,204 (1995)
Highest 6-Game Series Team Score – 6,319 (1995)
All-Time NJCAA Women's Bowling All-Americans
2018
Gina Patricelli (4th)
2013
Megan Rzeszuto (4th)
2012
Victoria Jansen (3rd)
2011
Megan Mormino (1st)
Rebecca Duncan (4th)
Nicole Sheldon (7th)
2010
Devan Hodlik (1st)
Rebecca Duncan (2nd)
Nicole Sheldan (5th)
Alicia Brisson (6th)
2008
Jamie LaBoissiere (3rd)
2007
Kristina Jenkins (1st)
2006
Kristina Jenkins (2nd)
2002
Erin Fagan (2nd)
2001
Melissa Blair (2nd)
2000
Linda Follett (2nd)
1999
Niki Battistoni (4th)
1998
Kate Gardner (2nd)
Kristina Bushey (5th)
1995
Heather Selig (2nd)
1983
Kathy Spillane (1st Team – 5th)