Collegiate Ticker - Nov. 22, 2023

The National Collegiate Team Match Games in Fairview Heights, Illinois (men), and Belleville, Illinois (women), saw the Wichita State men and Mount Mercy women take home Tier I titles during another jampacked weekend, as 13 events were contested around the country.

The event had 27 men’s varsity teams and 18 women’s varsity teams competing for a chance at a Tier I victory. All teams competed in five individual games on Saturday and 20 Baker games on Sunday, with total pinfall determining the winner in each division.

The Wisconsin-Whitewater men had a hot start to the tournament on Saturday, finishing with a 5,274 total for the day, with Wichita State right behind them at 5,242 after Day 1.

Day 2 was more of the same from Wichita State, as they averaged over 213 per game during Baker competition to win the tournament by over 400 pins ahead of second place with 9,520. Newman was second with 9,103, and Wisconsin-Whitewater finished in third with 9,100.

McKendree’s Nicholas Blagojevic led the men’s field with games of 232, 222, 235, 278 and 210 for a 1,177 total. Joining Blagojevic on the all-tournament team was Wichita State’s T.J. Rock (1,145), Wisconsin-Whitewater teammates Luke Winter (1,117) and Garrett Meadows (1,100), with St. Ambrose’s Zach Greim (1,094) rounding out the group.

The women’s side saw Lindenwood have a strong Day 1 at 4,827, and Mount Mercy was not far behind at 4,747.

By the end of Day 2, Mount Mercy took the lead and the win with a 3,821 Baker total and 8,568 overall total, beating out Lindenwood by 90 pins (8,478).

Lindenwood had three players make the all-tournament team, with Carissa Merkle leading all women with a 1,035 total, Samantha Smith in second (1,030) and Hailey Bozych in fifth (991). Wichita State’s Brooklyn Gagnon, third with 1,018, and McKendree’s Rhian Dobinson, fourth with 1,015, joined the Lindenwood teammates on the all-tournament team.

In other collegiate action:

- At the Brick City Classic in Webster, New York, the William Paterson men and Roberts Wesleyan women collected wins.

- At the Tiger Cup in Webster, New York, the Erie CC men and Roberts Wesleyan women picked up wins.

- At the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW)-Event 1 in Waukesha, Wisconsin, the Marian-Wisconsin women went a perfect 7-0 to claim the title. Brenna Schiekiera of Marian-Wisconsin also shot a 300 in Game 4 of individuals.

- At the Falcon Classic in Sandusky, Ohio, the Spring Arbor men and women swept the event.

- At the CSU Lady Eagles Invitational in Baltimore, the Felician women defeated Belmont Abbey in six games to win.

- At the Floria Financial Services Open in Diamond Bar, California, the Arizona Christian men and San Jose State women left with wins. Brandon Pearson of California State-Fullerton had a 300 in Game 5 of individuals.

- At the Oak Tree Open in Diamond Bar, California, the Arizona State men and San Jose State women added wins. Arizona State’s Mitchell Hays had a 300 in Game 3 of individuals.

- At the Hawk Classic in Woodbridge, Virginia, the Jacksonville State women came away with a win after defeating Youngstown State in six games. Over the course of the tournament, three teams also shot Baker 300s- Jacksonville State, Youngstown State and Duquesne.

- At the ISTAP Hornet Classic in Montgomery, Alabama, the Alabama State women climbed from fourth to first in the bracket and defeated Alabama-Birmingham in seven games to leave with a win.

- At the NAIA Invitational in Joliet, Illinois, the Pikeville men and Saint Xavier women battled their way through the bracket to come away with victories.

- At the Ohio Bowling Conference-Event 3 in Columbus, Ohio, the Muskingum men and Wright State women picked up conference wins. Shawnee State’s Zachary Ison fired off a 300 in Game 3 of individuals.

- At the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Round Robin-Event 1 in Kenmore, New York, the Saint Vincent, William Smith and Alvernia women each went 9-1 in Baker competition.

For the full schedule of collegiate events, results and more, visit BOWL.com/Collegiate and CollegeBowling.Bowl.com.