Trenter named NAIA Rookie of the Year; Men's Bowling places 2 on NAIA All-America Team

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (March 21, 2024) - Milligan University freshman Nate Trentler is the NAIA Men's Bowling Rookie of the Year, the national office announced on Wednesday.

The NAIA announced 2023-24 NAIA Men's Bowling All-America teams and awards before the start of the national championship, which begins Thursday in Sterling Heights, Mich.

In addition to being the Rookie of the Year, Trentler made the NAIA All-America Second Team. Teammate Bryant Griffith was also recognized as he made the NAIA All-America Third Team.

Trentler was fifth in individual frame fill percentage at 89.3% and was 10th overall with an individual scoring average of 21.021 across 780 frames. He ranked sixth in traditional format individual frame fill percentage and second in baker format for the same category. Trentler was 10th in traditional format strike percentage at 56.5% while he was eighth in overall single pin spare percentage with 94.1% in 188 attempts. He posted a first-ball average pinfall of 9.13, which placed him 12th nationally, and he was the NAIA leader in spare conversion percentage at 77.3% on 370 chances.

The Executive Committee along with a member from each conference/grouping has a representative on the All-American Committee, in addition to current board and advisory board members. The committee met after the conclusion of conference tournament events for All-American selection. The fifteen players agreed upon by the formed committee will be named All-Americans with five being placed on the first team, second team, and third team. The same committee also selects the Player of the Year Rookie of the Year award winners. The selection committee will determine which players qualify for All-American consideration based on Field Average, Average Games bowled, Average Differential, Top 5, Top 10, and first-place finishes for individual standings.

Both the Milligan men's and women's bowling teams begin play in NAIA National Championships on Thursday.