ELGIN, Ill. - A new year began in style for the Judson University athletic department as they hosted a kickoff at the Brunswick Zone in Algonquin, Ill. Almost 300 athletes came to partake in the festivities and socializing.

This is the third year in a row that the Judson University Athletic Department has had a bowling kickoff at Brunswick Zone. The night featured the athletes mingling with each other and a bowling competition. Each year the groups have become bigger with the addition of new sports. Judson will feature 19 sports in the 2010-11 year with the newest sport being men's lacrosse.

Taking the crown this year with the top score was softball player Hallie Niewold with 201. She was followed by Matt Roy's (men's basketball) 188 and Jason Egli's (baseball) 187. The team with the highest score average was 141.25 made up of Brenda Lemus (women's soccer), Hallie Niewold (Softball), Nate Ray (116), and Caleb Sutton (119).

"It was a great atmosphere to start the year off," comments assistant athletic director Adam P. Ledyard. "Seeing all the new athletes, returners, and staff all in one place having fun to start the year is a site to see. It is going to be exciting to see what happens this year in Judson athletics."