WAVERLY, Iowa --- Alexis Neuer Runk, Wartburg's head men's and women's bowling coach, captured her first career Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) title on Sunday, Aug. 16 with a win at the 2026 PWBA Pepsi Open in Parma Heights, Ohio.
 
Runk closed her sixth season on the professional tour and will continue to compete at the highest level while leading Wartburg's growing bowling programs.
 
From PWBA.com (Donovan Grubaugh)

"It means the world to me," Runk said. "I'm just so grateful."

Runk, whose brother, Anthony Neuer, and father, Andy, are well-known in the bowling community, earned the No. 1 seed for the single-elimination bracket. The first two rounds featured best-of-five matches, with Runk defeating close friend Breanna Clemmer of Clover, South Carolina, 3-2 in the opening round before beating Maranda Pattison of Redwood Valley, California, 3-1 to advance to the BowlTV Championship Round.

"I pride myself on my spare shooting," Runk said. "With my game, I have to be able to execute, and I have to make spares if I want a chance. It's just a matter of fact and I'm grateful my spare shooting paid off."

The victory also gave Runk a special connection to her father, who previously won a national tour title on the Professional Bowlers Association Tour.

"It means the world to be able to have a title with him and hopefully surpass him at some point in the number of titles," Runk said. "Hopefully, we can get Brandon and Anthony into the club so we can all be champions."

The full article written by Grubaugh recapping Runk's win can be found here on PWBA.com