January 30, 2026 | River Bluff High School
by Andy Wardyn
The Gator Bowling Team successfully defended their crown on Thursday, January 22nd, at Century Lanes. After winning their division during the regular season, the River Bluff bowlers advanced to a four team championship roll off.
After four games of qualifying, they received the #2 seed and first round bye in a Baker formatted step ladder final to determine the league champions. After waiting for the first match to play out, the Gators were able to take care of business in round two of the step ladder and advanced to the championship against Sumter. The Gators once again handled the competition sealing Back to Back league titles for the first time since the 2017 and 2018 season.
Then, on January 29th, the Gators wrapped up the 2025-26 season and took part in the traditional end of season Baker Challenge Tournament. Although they were slow out of the gate the first couple of games, the Gators clawed back through 9 games of qualifying to secure the #1 seed and a place in the best of five championship match. Sumter secured the #2 seed and set up a regular season rematch between the two league powerhouses.
The best of five match went back and forth with the Gators and Fighting Gamecocks going all the way to game 5. The Gators caught a couple very unfortunate breaks during game 5 with a pocket 7-10 split leading to an open and another great shot resulting in a 9 pin being left instead of a much needed strike. All that said, Sumter caught a bad break of their own in the tenth frame leaving a glimmer of hope for the Gators. Striking in the 9th and and all three shots in the 10th frame could tie game 5 and force a sudden death game 6.
The Gators got their strike in the 9th. They got the first strike in the 10th. Unfortunately, the next shot was just off the mark and the Gators ended up falling to Sumter by the closest of margins. The Gators still add Baker Challenge Runner Up bragging rights to their accolades for the season.
This season's successes mark the fifth time the Gator bowlers and Coach Wardyn have taken home the league title and the second time they've gone back to back.
