The #21 Valpo bowling team got the 2025-26 season off to a strong start Friday on the first day of competition at the Chelsea Gilliam Penguin Classic in Struthers, Ohio, winning four matches and capping the day with a set which ranks among the top-15 in program history.
 
How It Happened

• Valpo opened the first day of the Penguin Classic, contested in the five-game baker format, against #RV Lewis and made it a winning start, downing the Flyers 975-903.
• The Beacons followed by dropping a 941-895 decision to #20 Wright State.
• Valpo bounced back in the third match slot with a 906-864 victory over #RV Mercyhurst, and made it back-to-back wins with a 991-844 triumph over Saint Anselm.
• The Beacons saved their day's best for last Friday, making it three straight victories to close the day with a 1055-874 win over #14 Mount St. Mary's. That 1055 score ranks 14^th in program history for a five-game baker match.
• Buoyed by their performance in the final match of the day, the Beacons ended the opening day of competition in seventh place out of 18 competing teams in the team standings, totaling 4,822 pins — just 13 pins back of sixth position.

 
Next Up
Valpo (4-1) continues its season-opening tournament with a set of five traditional team matches on Saturday, beginning at 8:25 a.m. CT.