Kathryn McArthur is in her second year at Jackson College. The Hudson native grew up around bowling.

"It was kind of just the thing to do on Saturdays," she said.

She decided to take her talents to the next level.

"My mom took me up to youth leagues and then I had some coaches that really pushed me into getting on the competitive side of it," she said.

It paid off by becoming the 2022-23 Michigan Community College Athletic Association West Conference Bowler of the Year as well as being named to the All-Conference team.

She also won all events at the MCCAA Conference Tournament in Livonia including doubles with Alexis Beach and singles with a 643 score averaging 211 for the tournament.

Those aren't her only accomplishments. In her first year as a Jackson College Jet, she became a National Junior College Athletic Association All-American.

The men's team is no slouch either.

Sophomore Brandon Teddy was recently named to the 2023 MCCAA Western Division All-Conference Team.

"Bowling-wise, I want to be the best. I'm going to go out there and win tournaments," he said.

The Jets men's and women's bowling teams started in 2018. In their inaugural season, the men's team experienced immediate success becoming MCCAA Champions. They would finish seventh at Nationals.

The women's team was not far behind. After having only four bowlers in 2018-19, two players landed on the All-Conference team the following season. Marissa Wood was named Bowler of the Year and Freshman of the Year in the MCCAA. They finished second in Team at Regionals and tenth in Nationals.

Head Coach Steve Sears, who was the Assistant Coach until 2021, has been part of the success from the beginning.

"It's been a heck of a ride. It really has," he said. "We've had some good success real soon. Sooner than even I expected, and we're just continuing on with what [former Head Coach] Corey Daniels and I built the foundation with five years ago."

Assistant Coach Andy Horodecki credits the teams' work ethic for their sustained successes.

"They work really hard," he said. "We practice the right way with no questions about anything with a lot of conviction with our team. When we do something, we do it real."

Yet for the players and coaches, they know getting an education is their priority.

"We want them all to graduate. We all want them to get the best GPA possible for them in their field of choice and some want to move on to get their bachelor's. Some are satisfied with an associate, and we're good with that. It's whatever they want. We help them try to get wherever they need to go to finish their degree of choice," Sears said.

McArthur is getting her Associate in Business Administration with her ultimate goal of owning a dog grooming business.

"Jackson College supports you with whatever you do," she said. "They give you the tools that you need, whatever you need and whenever you need it. They are always there for you."

Teddy says he wants to go into sales and marketing after Jackson College.

"Jackson College helped me a lot," he said. "The programs were really solid. I've learned a lot throughout the last two years. The bowling team and coaches are really good. Amazing. Everything is really good about its ran and they've taught me a lot throughout my time here."

The Jets traveled to Lansing on Feb. 17 for the National Junior College Athletic Association Regionals. The women finished in first place for back-to-back regional titles while the men finished in second place.

Teddy and McArthur made the All-Region team along with Toby Tyler and Morgan Sedlecky.

Both teams qualified for the Nationals which will take place in Buffalo, New York from March 2-4.