SXU Student-Athlete Excels In and Out of the Classroom
The Saint Xavier University (SXU) women's bowling team started the 2024-2025 season triumphantly with a championship win at the sixth annual Hammer Golden Eagle Invite at Forest Hills Lanes in Rockford, Illinois. Out of 14 teams, SXU was announced first place after collecting a total of 4,980 pins.
In the individual category, fifth-year senior Barbara Lunsford began her last season at SXU at the top of her game. She placed in the top 10 as well, tying for 10th overall with 965 pins over five games, averaging 193.0 pins with a high of 216 in game one and reaching 212 pins in game five.
"Words cannot describe what it means to start the season with a win with the girls. We were leading the tournament for the entirety of qualifying, but anything can happen in match play. We went into this season with a fresh, more positive mindset that made the difference. We looked like a new team out there, and I think this set the tone for what we hope to achieve this year. I am incredibly happy to be a part of this team and am excited to see where things go," Lunsford said.
As a double major in media communication and English secondary education with a writing minor, Lunsford must complete the student teaching requirement to receive her diploma, which she cannot achieve until spring. She was more than happy to extend her time at SXU and make another successful playoff run with the bowling team, just as they did last year.
"What really made my decision was the shift our team had in the postseason last year. We had conversations about trying to better the team culture for the 2024-25 season, and it was all stuff I was a fan of. We have Coach Dylan Werner, who joined our team and helped us realize this shift was necessary for us to reach our full potential. We ended on a high note last year, making both NAIA Nationals and ITC Nationals. With these 2024-25 season changes, I strongly believe we can have the best season yet," Lunsford said.
Upon graduating in May 2025, Lunsford has lofty goals for herself that SXU has set her up to achieve. Aside from bowling, she has been with The Xavierite for two years, writing articles on various topics such as sports, opinion, news, and features. She hopes to continue bowling competitively but also wants to start her writing career, whether that be through teaching, writing articles, or publishing books.
"The best part about my time at SXU is being able to look back and see how much I have grown as a person. I am a way different person now than I was when I was entering college. The opportunities I have had at SXU are what allowed this to happen. I have not only grown much stronger on the lanes, but as a person off the lanes. Being on a team is one of the best experiences I have had. I have learned so many life lessons and skills that you cannot get anywhere else. In the classroom, I have had incredible opportunities as well that I will be able to carry with me in my future and forever," Lunsford said.