National champion Gamecocks roll into White House for ceremony

WASHINGTON – To say they were “bowled over” is putting it mildly.

But the Jacksonville State women’s bowling team took it all in Monday in the nation’s capital as they joined 40 NCAA national championship teams at the annual White House College Champions Day.

The Gamecocks also got to show off their skills on the White House bowling lanes.

A tour of the White House concluded on the South Lawn where Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the championship teams.

“On behalf of our president and Dr. Biden, I am honored to welcome all of you to the White House to celebrate the achievements of these great athletes,” Harris said. “In America, tens of millions of people play a sport as a child, and the best of the best grow up to become national champions.

“Here today we have seven undefeated teams, 11 repeat champions and 20 first-time winners.”

Jax State was represented on stage by National Bowler of the Year Rebecca Hagerman, who joined members of the other national championship teams during the ceremony on the White House steps.

It was a historic first season for head coach Shannon O’Keefe. A seven-time National Tenpin Coaches Association National Coach of the Year, she was hired to start the program in May 2023.

Jax State finished its inaugural season with a 107-24 record, including 10 event victories, the Conference USA title and national championship.

“To be recognized at the White House is a memory this team will have forever,” said JSU athletic director Greg Seitz. “It was a great experience and an honor to represent Jacksonville State in our nation’s capitol.”

The Gamecocks were the class of collegiate bowling in 2023-24. They earned the first unanimous No. 1 ranking by a team since 2017 and O’Keefe and graduate seniors Hagerman and Crystal Elliott were honored by CUSA.

Hagerman was named the CUSA Bowler of the Year and Elliott the CUSA Newcomer of the Year. O’Keefe was also selected by her peers as the CUSA Coach of the Year.