Ray Ross is seen often in the bleachers at Boulevard Bowl when the high school bowling sectionals take place each February.

Ross, men's and women's bowing coach at Schenectady County Community College, recruits many Section II bowlers who want to stay competitive and further their education.

For the first time in program history, both teams are national champs.

The Royals brought home titles from the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association championships over the weekend in Buffalo. It is the first NJCAA crown for the women. The men also won in 2013.

"We grab a few from outside the area," Ross said of his roster, "but it's primarily from Section II."

Freshman Andrew Marotta of Saratoga was the tournament MVP for high average (203.2). Nick Peckowitz and Justin Carl, freshmen from Colonie, made the national All-America team for Schenectady, which finished 856 pins ahead of runner-up Suffolk.

Freshman Janelle Irwin of Bishop Gibbons was the tournament MVP for the women (187.3), who outpaced Suffolk by 171 pins and Corning by 172.

As impressive as some of the bowling averages are the team GPAs: 3.15 for the men, 2.90 for the women.

"I try to talk to them and the parents at the same time," Ross, a faculty member at the college, said of recruiting, "and the first thing I always ask is, 'What would you like to study in college?' If we have their major, then we go further with the conversation. I can take care of the bowling part, but I really need to focus on them getting their letters after their name."

National news

The 112th U.S. Bowling Congress championships began its 128-day run Saturday in El Paso, Texas. Competition runs through July 12. ... In what may be the wave of the future, a PBA International Tour final featured a pair of two-handed players. Jesper Svensson, a 20-year-old from Sweden, beat Jason Belmonte of Australia.

Local scene

A record 153 entries were received for Saturday's New York State Masters at Spare Time-Latham. Tom Solimine Jr. of Danbury, Conn., defeated John Bickel of Slingerlands in the final 387-341 to win the $2,000 top prize and a paid entry into next year's USBC Masters. Bickel won $1,000. Alex Weglarz of Schaghticoke, Brian LeClair of Albany, and J.P. Harrell of Albany all made it to the quarterfinals before losing and earned $325 apiece. ... Alex Cavagnaro of North Massapequa, the defending Masters champion, defeated Joe Mazuryk of Voorheesville to win the $3,200 winner's check in the 13th annual Joe Donato Scratch Singles at Towne Academy.

Pete Dougherty's column is published Tuesdays during the bowling season. Items to be considered for publication can be submitted by fax (518-454-5819) or pdougherty@timesunion.com.