The Valparaiso University bowling program returned to its spot among the top-25 teams in the nation as the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) released its February poll on Wednesday. The latest edition of the poll came out as the Crusaders are preparing to host the Crusader Classic this weekend at Lakewood Bowl in Richton Park, Ill.

Valpo, which had been ranked in every iteration of the NTCA poll since the program’s inception until the final poll of the 2016-17 campaign, makes its first appearance in the top-25 this season as it comes in at #25.

By moving into the top-25, Valpo will be one of six nationally-ranked programs competing this weekend at the Crusader Classic. The full field of teams is as follows: #1 Nebraska, #15 Central Missouri, #20 UW-Whitewater, #22 Maryville, #24 Lincoln Memorial, #25 Valparaiso, #RV Monmouth, #RV Youngstown State, Alabama A&M, Augustana, Aurora, Drury, Elmhurst, Lincoln (Mo.) and North Central.

The three-day tournament starts from Lakewood Bowl on Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. with five sets of five-game baker matches. The tournament continues Saturday at 9:30 a.m. with five traditional team games, and concludes on Sunday at 8 a.m. with three, best-of-seven baker bracket matches.