Sam Houston Bowling Team Wins 2024 TRACK Kat Klash Championship

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HOUSTON — For the fourth time, the Sam Houston bowling team emerged victorious at the prestigious Emerald Bowl held on Sunday, demonstrating their consistent excellence in the sport.

After three grueling days of competitive bowling, the Bearkats decisively defeated Arkansas State in the championship round, successfully securing the 2024 title at the annual TRACK Kat Klash. This remarkable achievement adds to their previous championships won in 2011, 2012, and 2016, solidifying their legacy in collegiate bowling.

“Today wasn’t easy, and anything worth doing never is,” reflected head coach Brad Hagen, acknowledging the challenges faced during the competition. “We had a great game plan, and thankfully, with the transition being a little more predictable today considering the teams we were facing, we were able to stay ahead of it most of the day.”

Hagen emphasized the significant advantage gained by the team, stating, “It was a huge help that we were able to get into our pearl equipment sooner and stay within the zones we wanted to maintain.” He further highlighted that a crucial key to their success was the collective involvement of each athlete, noting that “everyone contributed mentally on the lanes, and the ladies followed through with their mission.”

In the championship bracket, the Bearkats commenced with a commanding 4-1 victory over Arkansas State, staging an impressive comeback by winning four consecutive games after dropping the first. This victory propelled Sam Houston into the title match, where they faced a formidable Red Wolves team, ultimately prevailing in a thrilling showdown that extended to seven games, winning 4-3.

“It’s always very hard to host a high-quality event as well as to win your own event, and to win our event four times is an awesome feat,” Hagen expressed, underscoring the significance of their local triumph. “That’s a testament to how much the ladies appreciate our event and understand its value year in and year out. Every event is important, but winning your ‘local’ home event is particularly special for the seniors.”

Hagen concluded with gratitude towards those who made the event possible: “We can’t thank our event staff, Amy Van Horn, our medical/DOBO for the weekend, tournament directors, Emerald Bowl, owner Don Ellis, and our sponsors enough for allowing us the opportunity to host a stellar event that teams eagerly look forward to each year.”

**Interview with Head Coach Brad Hagen of the Sam Houston Bowling Team after Winning the 2024 ‌TRACK Kat Klash Title**

**Interviewer:** Congratulations, Coach Hagen! Your team has just claimed the TRACK Kat Klash title for the fourth time. How does it feel to add this championship to your team’s legacy?

**Brad Hagen:** Thank ⁢you! It feels incredible to ‍see our hard work pay off once⁣ again. This‍ victory not​ only showcases our⁣ consistent performance over the years but also reflects ‍the dedication and resilience of our athletes. Each championship is ⁤special, but this one definitely holds a‌ significant place in our ⁢journey.

**Interviewer:** The ‍competition was intense over the past three days.⁢ Can you talk about some of the challenges your team faced‌ leading up to the final match against ​Arkansas State?

**Brad Hagen:** Absolutely. Bowling at this level always comes‍ with its pressure, ⁢and there were moments where things didn’t go our way. However, our athletes maintained their focus​ and composure. We had a solid game plan, and​ it was crucial for everyone to adhere to it, ⁢staying supportive of one another throughout the ups ⁤and​ downs.

**Interviewer:** Speaking of support, how important was the team dynamic in achieving this victory?

**Brad Hagen:** The team dynamic is everything in collegiate sports, especially in bowling. Our players really cheered each ‌other on ⁤and communicated effectively during matches. That camaraderie​ is what helped ‌us navigate the tough moments⁤ and ultimately prevail in the championship round.

**Interviewer:**‍ With this championship win, how do you plan ⁣to⁤ carry the momentum forward into the rest of⁢ the season?

**Brad Hagen:** We’ll⁢ definitely enjoy this victory for a moment, but our focus‌ will quickly shift to preparing ⁢for upcoming tournaments. We⁣ want to maintain our ‍sharpness and continue to develop our skills. Each match is‍ an opportunity to learn and grow, and we’ll approach the rest of‍ the season with the same diligence and commitment that brought us this title.

**Interviewer:** Thank you, Coach Hagen! Congratulations again, and best of luck for the rest of the season!

**Brad Hagen:** Thank you! We appreciate the ⁢support and can’t‍ wait to⁣ see what we can achieve moving forward.