Grand Rapids, Mich. — Every once in a while, you prepare yourself for the worst possible outcome… and then your team walks in and completely flips the script. That was the case this past weekend for the 2025–26 Aquinas Bowling program at the 57th Annual Columbia 300 Hoosier Classic in Indianapolis.

Tier I. One of the biggest regular-season tournaments in the country. National powers everywhere you turn. And the Saints? They didn't just survive — they thrived.

Week after week this season, both the Aquinas women and men have made it clear they belong in the national conversation. The Hoosier Classic wasn't about hoping to compete. It was about proving it.

And prove it they did.

Aquinas Saints Women

The Aquinas women finished 18th overall in a loaded 64-team Tier I field with a total of 7,403 pins. After sitting fifth following day one, the Saints battled through demanding championship conditions on Sunday and ultimately secured a top-20 national finish.

The shift in standings doesn't erase what this group accomplished. Competing against one of the deepest fields of the season, AQ once again demonstrated it can qualify with the nation's elite and contend under pressure.

And then there was Brooke Binder.

Binder delivered a performance worthy of the biggest stage, capturing the Hoosier Classic individual championship with a five-game total of 1,124. Out of 468 competitors, the Aquinas standout stood alone at the top. Calm, composed, and relentless in the pocket, she was simply the best bowler in the building that weekend.

Tayler Mohney joined her in the spotlight, finishing tied for ninth overall with 1,074 pins. Two Saints in the top 10 at a Tier I national event — that's not a coincidence.

Carly Pavka added a strong 968 total, while Laighnee Roll-Pike, Emilee Nowicki, Sophia Santo, Skylar Davy, and Kayla VanLinden contributed as lineup adjustments and lane transitions demanded flexibility throughout the tournament.

This women's program has shown all season that it belongs. The Hoosier Classic was just another reminder.

Aquinas Saints Men

If the women made a statement, the men delivered a thunderclap.

Aquinas finished second overall in a 78-team Tier I field with a total score of 8,482 pins — trailing only Wichita State.

Last season at the Hoosier Classic, the Saints finished 15th — at the time the highest Tier I finish in program history. This year? Second place.

The program now boasts sixth-, third-, and second-place finishes at Tier I tournaments this season alone.

Even more impressive, Aquinas and Wichita State were the only two teams to finish plus both days of competition.

Nicholas Schaberg led the way individually with a 1,127 total, finishing 17th overall. Tony DeLuccia followed with 1,113, while Curtis Swezey added 1,088 and senior David Schaberg contributed 1,073.

Schaberg, Deluccia, Swezey, and David Schaberg bowled all five traditional games. Joshua Boersma and Ian Carmichael split time in the remaining spots, while Dylan Maurer and Bonham Pulcifer provided depth and flexibility as needed.

After qualifying second overall, Aquinas advanced to match play and defeated Trine University 2–1 in a high-scoring best-of-three battle. The Saints' run ultimately ended in the semifinals with a tight 2–1 loss to Newman.

But make no mistake — this was the most complete tournament this team has bowled all season.

On some of the toughest lane conditions they'll see all year, at the biggest regular-season tournament on the schedule, the Saints delivered their highest Hoosier finish in program history.

And the season isn't over.

Coach's Comments

Following another strong showing, Head Coach Harold Klukowski reflected on the weekend:

On the women:
"Brooke winning the Hoosier Classic individual title on that stage says everything about the work she's put in. That field was stacked, and she never blinked. Our women continue to show they belong at Tier I events. We had moments where we were right in the mix, and that's a credit to how far this program has come."

On the men:
"This was the most complete tournament we've bowled all year. To qualify second at the Hoosier and compete the way we did on those conditions — that's growth. The guys trusted each other, made adjustments when they had to, and proved we can compete with anyone. Now we focus on finishing the job in the postseason."

Inside the Numbers

• 2nd — Aquinas men's team finish out of 78 teams
• 18th — Aquinas women's team finish out of 64 teams
• 1,124 — Brooke Binder's tournament-winning total
• 2 — Teams (Aquinas & Wichita State) to finish plus both days
• 4 — AQ men who bowled all five traditional games
• 2 — Aquinas women finishing inside the Top 10 individually

Up Next

Following the impressive display at the Hoosier Classic, the Saints now turn their attention to the postseason.

Up first will be a trip to the state capital, as the WHAC Championships take place at Royal Scot in Lansing, Michigan, on Saturday, February 21. Both the women's and men's squads will look to carry their Tier I momentum into conference competition.

Fans are encouraged to visit AQSaints.com for full coverage, results, stats, and updates throughout the weekend.

The Saints have shown they belong. Now comes the opportunity to make it count.  Soon the nation will see why 'every day is a great day to be a Saint!'