Sports : Making VS bowling history: Schoettmer signs with Clarke University

Jordan Schoettmer became the first Vinton-Shellsburg bowler to sign with an NCAA college team, when he committed to Clarke University of Dubuque on Friday. The VS senior was a member of last year's Class 1A State Champion team, and has been bowling since he was a young boy. Jordan's parents, Kipp and Melinda, joined VS bowling coach Amber Pattee in a signing ceremony at Berry's Lanes. Clarke Bowling Coach Andrew Gonner said he heard about Jordan through a former roommate, who was from Vinton. "He said, 'There's this kid from Vinton you need to see,'" said Gonner, who watched Jordan bowl a couple of times before offering him a scholarship. Gonner said he is impressed with Jordan's approach and his spare game. Jordan will be one of six or seven bowlers to join the Clarke team this year, Gonner said. In signing with Clarke, Jordan becomes the first VS bowler to accept a scholarship to play for a college team, although previous members are involved in club bowling teams while attending college. Clarke is among the leaders in its conference and has made several appearances in the NAIA nationals. Jordan said he chose Clarke because of its computer engineering classes, as well as the bowling scholarship offer.

Coach Gonner, who was named the Clarke University head men's and women's bowling coach in January of 2016, is a native of Dubuque. As a high school senior, he placed ninth individually at state in 2012 and helped lead the Hempstead Mustangs to their first Iowa Class 2A state championship. Gonner and his teammates had placed eighth at the 2011 state tournament.Gonner was a four-year collegiate bowler. He attended Robert Morris University - Peoria before transferring to Mount Mercy University. He had served as the head bowling coach at Iowa City High School from 2014 to 2016. Gonner, who has rolled six 300 games and owns a personal best league average of 221, holds a USBC bronze level certificate and is pursuing his silver level certificate.

Practices for the VS 2016-17 season begin in early November.