Midland women, McKendree men victorious at 2019 Leatherneck Classic

RESULTS

The top seeds prevailed in bracket play Sunday at the 2019 Leatherneck Classic as the Midland women and McKendree men captured victories in their respective divisions.

The 2019 event was held across four different centers, including women's and men's junior varsity, in the Quad Cities area. A total of 34 varsity women's teams competed at Big River Bowl in Davenport, Iowa, while 46 men's varsity programs laced up over the weekend at Highland Park Bowl in Moline, Illinois.

Competition in the varsity divisions featured six traditional games Saturday and 16 Baker games Sunday to determine the top eight teams in each division to advance to the bracket. All bracket matches featured a best-of-three Baker format.

The Midland women narrowly edged Wichita State for the top qualifying spot, besting the Shockers by 17 pins with an 8,939 total. Robert Morris-Illinois, the defending Intercollegiate Team Championships winner, earned the final spot in the bracket with an 8,654 total.

Midland went undefeated in wins against No. 8 Robert Morris-Illinois (2-0) and No. 4 St. Francis-Illinois (2-0) to secure its spot in the final round with No. 3 Saint Xavier. The Cougars bested No. 6 Lindenwood (2-1) and No. 7 St. Ambrose (2-0) to advance.

In the title tilt, Midland claimed the first game by six pins, recording a 223-217 win. Saint Xavier took Game 2 with a 211-192 victory. In the deciding game, the Warriors posted a 206-191 win to claim its first bracket title at the Leatherneck Classic.

McK_637LeatherneckIn the men's division, McKendree began to run away from the field during Saturday's qualifying block and headed into bracket play as the top seed after leading qualifying by 329 pins with a 9,861 total. St. Francis-Illinois claimed the final spot in the bracket with 9,158.

McKendree swept its matches against No. 8 St. Francis-Illinois and No. 5 Wisconsin-Whitewater to advance to the title match to face No. 2 St. Ambrose. The Fighting Bees defeated No. 7 Rock Valley (2-1) and No. 6 Hastings (2-0) to earn its spot in the championship round.

St. Ambrose recorded a 209-193 victory in the opening game, but the Bearcats responded with wins of 258-215 and 247-187 to earn the program's second bracket win at the Leatherneck Classic.

The all-tournament teams in the women's and men's divisions also were recognized based on their six-game totals from Saturday.

The women's most valuable player was Brittney Schnicke of Midland, who posted a 1,377 score (229.5 average). She was joined on the all-tournament team by Mount Mercy's Abby Kay (1,316), Saint Xavier's Alexandra Wozniak (1,303), St. Francis-Illinois' Abby Ragsdale (1,275) and Wichita State's Sarah Klassen (1,253).

On the men's side, McKendree's Charlie Reid rolled a 300 game and 817 series to run away with the top individual spot, finishing with a 1,477 total (246.16 average). He was joined in the top five by Lindenwood's Andrew Sacks (1,347), Rock Valley's Dylan Hamil (1,340), Calumet's Shaun Quinn (1,336) and Lewis' Jawuan Burks (1,320).

Both days of competition in the women's and men's varsity divisions at the 2019 Leatherneck Classic were broadcast live on BowlTV.com.