The Valpo bowling team has returned to the top-20 nationally, as the Beacons came in at #19 at the latest iteration of the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) top-25 poll, released Thursday afternoon.

After being unranked in the preseason poll, the return to the top-20 for Valpo comes after the Beacons posted a 22-16 overall record through the season’s first three tournaments. Included in that mark was a win over then-#3 Nebraska, as well as a 9-6 record against teams which occupied spots 11 through 25 in the preseason poll.

The #19 ranking matches the program’s highest placement in the top-25 poll since February 2016, when Valpo was ranked #17 nationally.

Valpo returns to the lanes following the holiday season, as the Beacons fly out to Las Vegas for the Stormin’ Blue & White Vegas Classic Jan. 8-10.