SAU bowler Tyler Close lifts the trophy in celebration after winning the Intercollegiate Singles Championship.
For SAU sophomore Tyler Close, the defining moments of the 2025–26 bowling season still feel hard to put into words. From competing on a televised national stage to winning both individual and team championships, the sophomore bowler experienced a season few collegiate athletes ever get to have.
“It was a surreal experience—it genuinely was a dream come true being able to bowl on TV with everyone there behind me,” Close said.
For many athletes, competing under bright lights and national attention can feel overwhelming. For Close, it became an opportunity to showcase the confidence and consistency that had carried him through the season.
A Dream on the National Stage
The Aurora, Colorado native emerged as one of the top collegiate bowlers in the country this season, capturing the 2026 Intercollegiate Singles Championship (ISC) title in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The accomplishment marked a major milestone not only in Close’s collegiate career, but also in his lifelong journey in the sport.
Close first earned his spot on the national stage by advancing through sectional competition in Addison, Illinois, where he finished second out of 285 bowlers to qualify for the televised semifinals. Against one of the most competitive fields in collegiate bowling, he continued to prove he belonged.
Winning the national singles title was the culmination of years of discipline, practice, and competitive experience. But according to Close, his mindset never changed.
Trusting the Process
“Just staying with the process and sticking to what I do best—making the situation as easy as I could on my end,” he said.
That simple approach became one of his greatest strengths throughout the season. Rather than getting caught up in the pressure of national competition, Close focused on execution, consistency, and trusting the work he had already put in.
His ability to remain composed in high-pressure situations made him a valuable presence not only as an individual competitor, but as a teammate.
Throughout the season, Close was a major contributor to the success of the St. Ambrose University men’s bowling team, helping the Fighting Bees establish themselves as one of the nation’s top programs as they secured the national title.
While the individual championship was a career-defining accomplishment, Close said the team’s success ultimately meant even more.
That goal became reality when St. Ambrose captured the 2026 U.S. Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Team Championship. In a tightly contested championship match, the Fighting Bees defeated Mount Mercy 3–2 to secure the national title.
“It was our main goal this whole year,” Close said. “It was a more surreal experience than winning singles. It just means more when the team can come together to do something we knew we were capable of this whole year.”
The victory represented months of preparation, chemistry, and confidence built throughout the season. For Close and his teammates, it was validation of everything they had worked toward.
Winning as both an individual and as part of a national championship team is a rare accomplishment, especially for an underclassman. Yet Close credits much of his journey to the people who introduced him to the sport in the first place.
A Family Foundation
Close’s passion for bowling started at an early age.
“I was introduced to bowling at a young age through my family, and it became something I committed to more seriously in my teenage years,” Close said.
What began as a family activity eventually transformed into a competitive pursuit. Over the years, Close developed not only technical skill, but also a competitive mentality that now defines his game.
That foundation helped lead him to one of the most successful seasons of his career so far—something he knows he will carry with him forever.
“It’s amazing—something I can look at for the rest of my life and truly a special, amazing feeling,” Close stated.
Building What Comes Next
Despite the accolades, Close’s attention has already shifted toward the future. With the majority of the varsity roster returning next season, expectations for the program remain high.
“I just want to keep building off this foundation,” Close said. “We have the same eight guys coming back next year for the varsity team. Then I’m going to do everything I can to have a chance at defending my singles title next year.”
Returning with an experienced roster allows the Fighting Bees to build on this year’s momentum and potentially make another championship run. For Close, it also means another chance to continue elevating his own game.
As only a sophomore, his collegiate career is still far from over. But after a season that included a national singles title, televised competition, and a team championship, Close has already cemented himself as one of the premier athletes in the St. Ambrose bowling program.
For him, the 2025–26 season was more than just a breakthrough—it was the beginning of something even bigger.
The dream season may be over, but Tyler Close is just getting started.
