Raymond Wiegand earned top honors for the Iowa Central bowling team last year.

Now, the Marshalltown native is poised to do it once again on the lanes.

Wiegand was an All-American for the Tritons as a freshman, placing third at nationals. He is one of a handful of experienced bowlers back this year to lead the team as they make another push towards a national championship.

The decision to attend Iowa Central after competing for Marshalltown High School was an easy one for Wiegand.

"I had older friends from high school that decided to go to Iowa Central," Wiegand said. "So I wanted to come ever since I was a freshman in high school.

"After doing some research myself, I knew Iowa Central had the best bowling program and the campus here is great. It gives you a university feel with how it is set up."

Wiegand has tried to follow his sports idol, Jason Belmonte. The Australian is a 25-time winner on the PBA Tour including 13 majors. 

"He has the same bowling style as me," Wiegand said. "And has been an inspiration since I was about eight years old."

Wiegand and the Tritons have already found success, winning the Clarke Crusader Invitational title. Wiegand placed 10th overall at the event. 

Being part of the Iowa Central program has been a memorable one for Wiegand - both on the lanes and off it.

"Seeing Niagara Falls with the team," Wiegand said. I've never been to a landmark like that before, so being with the team made the experience 100 times better."

Wiegand is earning his degree in business. He noted one class that really left an ever-lasting memory.

"I actually hated managerial accounting at first," he said. "But I ended up learning so much from the class in the end."

-By Dana Becker