ARLINGTON, Texas – The teams that will compete for the Helmer Cup at the 2026 Intercollegiate Team Championships were determined on Sunday after two days of sectional qualifying concluded at four locations across the country.

The top four performers in the men’s and women’s divisions at each location advanced to the national team competition, which will take place from April 15-18 at The Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The sectional qualifiers were held at Stardust Bowl in Addison, Illinois; Cityview Lanes in Fort Worth, Texas; AMF Mt. Lebanon Lanes in Pittsburgh and Smyrna Bowling Center in Smyrna, Tennessee.

Teams bowled a total of 64 Baker games Saturday and Sunday at their respective locations with total pinfall determining the advancers.

The possibility of a repeat national champion remains alive in the women’s division as Jacksonville State advanced to the national finals by winning the Smyrna Sectional by more than 1,500 pins, establishing a new sectionals scoring record in the process with a two-day, 64-game Baker total of 14,259 (an average of just under 223 per game).

There will be a new men’s national champion in 2026, however, as Wisconsin-Whitewater finished sixth in the 20-team men’s field in Smyrna and was eliminated. Their exit not only ensures a new titleholder but also reflects the ever-changing landscape in collegiate bowling, where new programs are always looking to seize the opportunity to reach the sport’s biggest stage.

Seven teams did just that on Sunday, collecting the first national finals berths in each program’s history. This year’s first-time qualifiers include Belmont Abbey, Marian-Wisconsin, Southern Nazarene and Spring Arbor on the men’s side and Cumberland, St. Vincent and Trine for the women.  

The qualifiers in the men’s division include (place, college, pinfall):

• Addison – 1, Mount Mercy, 13,678; 2, St. Ambrose, 13,618; 3, Marian-Wisconsin, 13,398; 4, Spring Arbor, 13,263
• Fort Worth – 1, Wichita State, 13,719; 2, Newman, 13,199; 3, Southern Nazarene, 13,166; 4, St. Francis-Illinois, 13,072
• Pittsburgh – 1, McKendree, 12,914; 2, Trine, 12,901; 3, Milligan, 12,864; 4, Lawrence Tech, 12,836
• Smyrna – 1, Webber International, 13,666; 2, Belmont Abbey, 13,535; 3, Purdue, 13,068; 4, Savannah College of Art and Design-Savannah, 13,012

The qualifiers in the women’s division are (place, college, pinfall):

• Addison – 1, Maryville, 12,905; 2, Sacred Heart, 12,604; 3, Mount Mercy, 12,482; 4, Central Missouri, 12,255
• Fort Worth – 1, North Carolina A&T, 13,109; 2, Louisiana Tech, 12,404; 3, Newman, 12,327; 4, Tulane, 11,849
• Pittsburgh – 1, McKendree, 12,531; 2, St. Vincent, 12,181; 3, Duquesne, 12,089; 4, Trine, 12,023
• Smyrna – 1, Jacksonville State, 14,259; 2, Lindenwood, 12,746; 3, Savannah College of Art and Design-Savannah, 12,447; 4, Cumberland, 12,350

Select pairs at each sectional location were broadcast live at BowlTV.com.

The finalists for the 2026 Intercollegiate Singles Championships also were determined at the sectional qualifying locations this weekend. That competition took place on Friday.

Student-athletes rolled six games to determine the advancers out of each location. A total of 24 men and 24 women moved on to the national singles event, which also will take place at The Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley and will run from April 13-18.

CLICK HERE for more information on the Intercollegiate Team Championships.