GCU Announces Recruiting Class For 2022-23 Season. Courtesy Of GCU.
Phoenix - - - The joy of commitment.
Taking advantage of the opportunity to sign recruits to United States Bowling Congress Collegiate Letters of Commitment for the first time, the Grand Canyon University Men's Bowling team has brought in a strong recruiting class for the 2022-23 season. The recruiting list includes five top recruits from the bowling-rich states of Kansas, Wisconsin, Nevada and the Lopes' home state of Arizona.
The Lopes are hoping to fortify the roster that finished with its highest national ranking in its nine-year history (19th in the USBC Collegiate Power Rankings) with two top Kansas products: Wichita native Wesley Cunningham and Goddard-based Drew Merrell. Both bowlers have earned All-Kansas honors during their high school careers, and Merrell helped lead Eisenhower High School's squad to a pair of second-place finishes at the state tournament. Meanwhile, Wisconsin native Liam Bakalich has a top-5 finish at the Wisconsin State Tournament under his belt; while Las Vegas's own Christopher Lellos earned the 4th-highest averages in all of Southern Nevada. Finally, Juan Canez will stay in his home state to bowl collegiately after the native Tucsonian won the Arizona State Pepsi Tournament of Champions.
"It's great that we have the opportunity to officially recognize these signings through the USBC signing process," said Lopes' Head Bowling Coach Ben Canfield. "It was awesome to see each student celebrate this special moment with family and friends. I'm excited to see how these individuals will mesh with our already talented group of returners, as well as many other new teammates.'"
More details on the Lopes' recruits are available below:
NAME
Hometown
HS
CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Intended Major
Liam Bakalich
River Falls, WI
River Falls
Has bowled for 8 years; finished 5th at state tournament; captain of HS team
Sports & Entertainment Management
Juan Canez
Tucson, AZ
Rincon
1st place-AZ Pepsi Tournament of Champions; 3rd Place-National Youth Open; 4 300 games; high series of 803
Government; Minor in Criminal Justice and Marketing
Wesley Cunningham
Wichita, KS
Wichita Central Christian
1st Team All-State as junior; Top 10 Average and 300 game as senior
Sports Performance Psychology
Christopher Lellos
Las Vegas, NV
Centennial
300 game, 804 Series during senior Season led to 4th-highest averages in Southern NV; bowled 9 300 games and 5 800 series
Sports & Entertainment Management
Andrew "Drew" Merrell
Goddard, KS
Eisenhower
1st Team All-League, 2nd Team All Kansas in HS; 2 team 2nd-place finishes at state tournament; 2 300 games
Accounting with and Emphasis in Public Accounting