The Wolves have a national champion crowned.

Over the weekend, Joliet Junior College bowlers participated in the 2024 NJCAA Men's and Women's Bowling Championship at Royal Scot Golf and Bowl in Lansing, Mich. Freshman Madi Lave earned the women's singles national title with a final score of 633 after three games of competition.

"I haven't completely wrapped my head around the idea of winning the singles title, if I'm being honest," Lave said. "This means a lot to me, seeing the work I have put in all season long pay off into something I can appreciate for years to come. It is an honor to have the opportunity to accomplish this win for the JJC program and get the recognition, especially being a first-year program."

The tournament ran from Thursday, February 29 through Saturday, March 2. Lave participated in both doubles and singles competitions on the first day. That morning, she was paired with a teammate and close friend in doubles action, which she said helped calm her nerves as the pair were focused and just having fun.

When singles competition began, she had to switch lanes, a change she was happy with.

"Going into Game one for singles, we had just moved lanes from the ones we were bowling doubles on, and I was feeling quite relieved because my morning series wasn't the greatest," said Lave. "The previous lanes had broken down and I was back and forth between my two ball choices. The new lanes were holding a lot better, and my ball wasn't hooking too quickly on the lane."

Lave participated in three singles games, bowling 213 in the first, 197 in Game 2 and 223 in the final game for her final score of 633. She said the dip in score during the middle game was caused by missing "a few spares."

"I would either roll the ball too far outside and it would come back a little light, or I threw it inside, and it would over-hook and miss the pocket to the left," Lave explained.

Lave bounced back during her final game, leaving few spares and remaining consistent with her shots, something she also credits her teammates for assisting with.

"My other teammates had finished bowling for the day and came to watch my partner and I finish our last game of the day," she said. "I think them cheering us on helped too!"

Because of website issues the first day, Lave and the Wolves said they did not have access to tournament standings, so they did not know where they stood. So she wasn't aware she had won the national championship until the following morning.

"As the day progressed, I never actually thought I would be able to take the title," she said. "It wasn't until the next morning when I was told by one of the parents in our hotel lobby that I realized I had won it."

Wolves coach Jeff Bailey said he wasn't surprised to finally see Lave have a big day. 

"Madi was a key part of our team and always performed well," he said. "She at times doubted her talent, but always gave 110 percent. She was always close to breaking out during the regular season, but to see her become national champion was the most enjoyable pay off for her pushing herself all season long to be great and finish her freshman year on a positive result."

Lave said she wouldn't have been able to accomplish what she did without her coach's guidance.

"Sometimes I need a second opinion on certain adjustments to make on my shots, or which equipment I should switch to," she said. "I tend to try and make something work when I should try a different approach for the shot. I'm grateful for having someone who can catch my mistakes when I miss them."

Lave is in her first year a JJC, where she is majoring in medical sonography and plans to become an ultrasound technician. She is from Lockport, Illi., and attended Lockport Township High School where she bowled all four years and won back-to-back state titles as a junior and senior. She has been bowling for 10 years after her parents decided it would be a good idea for Lave and her brother, signing the pair up to join Saturday morning youth league.

The Wolves' bowling program is in its first year, and both the men's and women's teams finished in fifth place during the national tournament. Lave said she is proud of the finish for both teams this season.

"Nationals had been a long weekend for all of us, and we fought hard through the highs and lows," said Lave. "The women's team were placed seventh at the end of the first day, and we battled and worked our way up to fifth on the final day. Both teams, men and women, have improved a lot since we first started back in September."