Kat bowlers recognized for academic success

PRAIRIE VIEW — The National Tenpin Coaches Association has announced its 2026 NTCA All-Academic Scholar Teams, recognizing NCAA bowling programs, including Sam Houston, that demonstrated excellence in the classroom during the 2025–26 academic year.

To qualify for the prestigious team honor, programs were required to post a cumulative team grade point average of 3.20 or higher throughout the current academic year.

The Bearkats once again proved their commitment to academic excellence, finishing the year with an impressive 3.52 cumulative team GPA while closing the spring semester with an outstanding 3.60 GPA, earning a place among the nation's Top 25 academic bowling programs.

"With our extensive training and travel schedule, it's beyond important for us to continue to set the bar academically and prove that we can be successful in the classroom at an elite level no matter how busy we are," Sam Houston head coach Brad Hagen said. "With a historic team GPA above 3.55 over the past 16 seasons, our winning culture is defined first by the student before the athlete."

This year, more than 60 NCAA bowling programs earned NTCA All-Academic Scholar Team recognition, highlighting the association's continued emphasis on academic achievement alongside competitive success.

In addition to the team honor, five Bearkats were recognized as 2026 NTCA Academic All-Americans, increasing the program's all-time total to 71 Academic All-Americans during Hagen's 16 seasons leading the program. Three fourths of Hagens roster averages Academic All-American status yearly.

"I can't thank our academic resource staff and LEC staff enough for what they do for our ladies, as well as their availability to help navigate our scheduling chaos," Hagen said. "Having a support system that understands our commitment to competing at the highest level, both on and off the lanes, has allowed us to continue performing at an elite level."

2026 NTCA Academic All-Americans
Emily Hart – Freshman | Salisbury Heights, South Australia | Business
Jessica Sillis – Freshman | Northamptonshire, England | Business
Miya Greene – Sophomore | San Antonio, Texas | Biomedical Sciences
Breana Chewens – Senior | Wichita Falls, Texas | Psychology
Noey Sarntong – Senior | Samutprakarn, Thailand | Finance (Banking & Finance)

The NTCA Academic All-America Team recognizes collegiate bowlers who have excelled academically while competing at the highest level of NCAA bowling. To earn the distinction, student-athletes must maintain a minimum of 3.40 GPA during the academic year.
The 2026 academic honors further reinforce Sam Houston Bowling's long-standing tradition of excellence in the classroom, where academic success continues to be a defining pillar of the program's championship culture.

Kat bowlers recognized for academic success

Players Mentioned

Breana Chewens

Miya Greene

Emily Hart

Noey Sarntong

Jessica Sillis

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