The Bees Stung Twice: Tyler Cross is the King Bee

Written on 05/02/2026
Chris Henderson


Tyler Close Wins 2026 ISC Men’s Singles Title
Tyler Close of St. Ambrose captured the 2026 ISC Men’s Singles championship with a composed 200-176 win over Landin Jordan of Savannah College of Art and Design – Savannah. The victory capped a demanding tournament run and secured one of collegiate bowling’s most prestigious individual titles.

The 2026 ISC Men’s Singles event was part of the Intercollegiate Singles Championships in Green Bay and featured a championship format built around qualifying, match play, and a final pressure-packed step-ladder finish. Bowlers had to survive the six-game qualifying stage before advancing into the national finals, where every shot carried added weight.

Road To The Final
The tournament tested both talent and adaptability. According to the championship results, the men’s finals stage included semifinal and title-match play, with the format decided by one-game total-pin matches that left very little room for mistakes.

Jordan earned his place in the final by defeating Nate Trentler 191-177 in the semifinal round. That set up the title match against Close, who responded with the steadier finish and the higher score when the championship was on the line.

Championship Match
In the final, Close showed the kind of discipline that separates a contender from a champion. He managed the lane conditions well, stayed in control through the middle frames, and closed out the match with a 24-pin victory.

The 200-176 score reflected more than just shot-making; it reflected the ability to handle pressure in a one-game championship environment. In a format like this, momentum can shift quickly, and Close was the bowler who made the right moves at the right time.

Why It Stood Out
This year’s ISC Men’s Singles title was especially notable because the event demanded consistency over multiple stages before ending in a winner-take-all final. The path to the trophy required six-game qualifying, advancement through the finals structure, and then a clean execution in the championship match.

Close’s win is a strong example of tournament bowling at its best: patience, adjustment, and clutch execution under pressure. Tyler Close didn’t just win the final; he managed the entire championship run with the steadiness needed to become the 2026 ISC Men’s Singles Champion.