INDIANAPOLIS - Marian University head men's and women's bowling coach Chad Hardin is proud to announce the commitment of the 2009-10 Indiana High School Bowler of the Year for the inaugural season of Marian University bowling.

Matthew Staninger, who will graduate from Highland High School this spring, was named the 2009-10 Indiana High School Bowler of the Year and signed with the Coach Hardin and the Knights late last week.

"Matthew is an accomplished bowler with lots of bowling experience," said Hardin. "I am very excited to have a bowler of his ability joining our program. We are expecting some very big things from Matthew in the next four years."

Staninger held the state's highest average as a senior (231) and earned the statewide honor. He was named his conference's Bowler of the Year this season and was named first team All-State. He was a three-time All-Conference first team selection and a three-time All-Area first team pick.

This season he bowled his high school career-high game of 300 and has nine sanction 300 games in his career. He owns four sanctioned 800 series and four sanctioned 299 games.

He earned the title at the Indiana State Pepsi Tournament in 2004 and the scratch title at the 2008 Pepsi Tournament. He was a finalist at the Calumet Region Masters in 2006, 2007 and 2008, and was a USBC Junior Gold semifinalist in 2009.

The Knights will begin competition in their inaugural season this fall.