DALLAS – Prior to the opening rounds of the National Collegiate Bowling Championships, Conference USA announced its postseason award winners, including Bowler of the Year, Freshman of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and Coach of the Year. These awards were voted on and chosen by the head coaches. In addition, the league announced the 2026 All-Conference and All-Rookie teams which have been selected based on the NTCA Player Composite Performance Index (PCPI) following the conclusion of the conference tournament.
 
Claiming the honor of both Bowler of the Year and Freshman of the Year, was Jacksonville State’s Gianna Brandolino. The freshman currently leads the country in overall scoring, traditional scoring, strike percentage, spare conversion percentage, first ball 9+, and is the top 10th frame anchor bowler. Adding to her impressive freshman stint, Brandolino earned multiple conference accolades, including February Bowler and Freshman of the Month honors, two-time Performers of the Month Team recognition and the CUSA Championship Most Valuable Bowler title. She was also named the tournament MVP of the Northeast Classic and the Music City Classic.
 
Youngstown State’s Amy Chrzanowski has been named CUSA’s Newcomer of the Year. Primarily bowling in the leadoff or fourth position, the Fairleigh Dickinson transfer leads the Penguins with a 199.41 average in traditional games and 19 games over 200. She is averaging 19.69 in Baker while bowling the second-most frames on the team and she's second in the team in overall scoring average at 19.80. Chrzanowski has three top-15 finishes at tournaments this season, including a fifth-place finish to earn All-Tournament Team honors at the Big Red Invitational where she averaged 221.67 over six games.
 
For the second time in just her third season with the Gamecocks, Shannon O’Keefe has tabbed Coach of the Year honors. She led Jax State to the top of the rankings in each poll this season and the Gamecocks were able to finish the regular season No. 1 in overall, traditional, and Baker scoring average. The team posted a 56.36% overall strike percentage, nearly five percent better than second place, and finished first in overall and traditional spare percentage. Jax State won the 2026 Conference USA Championship, marking its second title in three seasons under O'Keefe where each time the Gamecocks reached the final as the undefeated team.  
 
The Gamecocks garnered the most All-Conference honors with four total, naming three first team members and one second team recipient. Wichita State followed with three honorees, one first team and two second team. Nebraska, Vanderbilt and Sam Houston each collected two All-Conference winners while Arkansas State and LA Tech placed one on the teams.
 
Jax State also claimed two spots on the All-Rookie Team, alongside an athlete from Vanderbilt, Sam Houston and Youngstown State.
 
2026 Bowling Postseason Awards
Bowler and Freshman of the Year: Gianna Brandolino, Jax State
Newcomer of the Year: Amy Chrzanowski, Youngstown
Coach of the Year: Shannon O’Keefe, Jax State
 
First Team All-Conference
Gianna Brandolino, Jax State
Jillian Martin, Nebraska
Kaitlyn Stull, Jax State
Erin Klemencic, Jax State
Aleesha Oden, Wichita State
Second Team All-Conference
Katelyn Abigania, Vanderbilt
Maggie Thoma, Arkansas State
Annalise Obryant, Jax State
Sara Duque, Wichita State
Ashtyn Woods, Wichita State
Third Team All-Conference
Jenna Stretch, LA Tech
Breana Chewens, Sam Houston
Danielle Henderson, Vanderbilt
Karina Capron, Nebraska
Miya Greene, Sam Houston
 
All-Rookie Team
Gianna Brandolino, Jax State
Kaitlyn Stull, Jax State
Katelyn Abigania, Vanderbilt
Emily Hart, Sam Houston
Liv Baskin, Youngstown State