Collegiate Ticker - Sept. 28, 2016

ekAjaxTidy ErrorThe Lawrence Tech men have started the 2016-2017 United States Bowling Congress Collegiate season with back-to-back wins after joining the Aquinas women in the winner's circle at the RC Warrior Fall Classic in Troy, Michigan, last weekend.

The Lawrence Tech men, who kicked off the year with a win at the Racer Classic in Lima, Ohio, took an early advantage after five traditional games at Bowl One Lanes and held off a late rally from Saginaw Valley State in the final Baker set to secure the top spot with a 7,039 total. Saginaw Valley State finished second with 6,965, and Bowling Green State took third with 6,587.

Also competing on the men's side was Georgian College, which became the first international school to compete in the USBC Collegiate program. The Grizzlies, located in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, finished sixth with 6,405.

Individually for the men, Lawrence Tech's Elliot Arnold led the field by posting a five-game total of 1,094, a 218.8 average. Kyle Waynick of Bowling Green State and Chad Stephen of Saginaw Valley State were the only other players to average more than 200, finishing with 1,058 and 1,055, respectively. Grand Valley State's Austen Reichart (977) and Lawrence Tech's Chase Kaufman (970) rounded out the top five.

The Aquinas women took over the top spot in the back half of the five-game traditional block and increased their lead during Baker competition, coasting to a victory by more than 250 pins with a 6,821 total. Bowling Green State (6,554) edged Concordia (6,552) for second place.

Saginaw Valley State's Heather Bruci rolled a 222 game to finish her block and earn top individual honors for the women with 968, 193.6 average. Concordia's Jessica Pate took second with 961, while Olivet's Loretta Hinds (941), Bowling Green State's Miranda Romano (933) and Concordia's Malloree Ambs (915) also recorded top-five finishes.

In other USBC Collegiate action over the weekend:

- At the Southwest Intercollegiate Bowling Conference I and II in Lubbock, Texas, the West Texas A&M men and women swept the top spots.

- At the Green River Classic in Campbellsville, Kentucky, the Campbellsville women and Spring Hill men held on to record the win.

- At the Great Lakes Bowling Conference I in Bloomington, Minnesota, the Mankato women edged out a victory, while the Wisconsin-Whitewater men rolled to a big win.

For complete results, click here.