WPU Finishes in Middle of Standings at USBC Sectionals

Smyrna, Tenn.--The Statesmen women's bowling team was not able to double up on national-tournament appearances as it competed at the USBC Team Sectionals Saturday and Sunday.

William Penn finished 10th out of 19 teams with 11,741 pins in 64 Baker games, while Jacksonville State (Ala.) won the event with 14,259 pins.  Lindenwood (Mo.), SCAD Savannah (Ga.), and Cumberland (Tenn.) also advance to USBC Team Nationals next month.

The navy and gold started slow, sitting 10th after the opening 16 games with 2,932 pins.  Unfortunately, the squad could not make up ground the rest of the weekend, falling to 12th before making a push back into the top 10.

WPU recorded 20 rounds in the 200s with a high game of 256.

Individuals who competed in the team event included Kelcey Aczon-Kawamura (Sr., Las Vegas, Nev., Nursing), Alaina Degenstein (Fr., Tacoma, Wash., Nursing), Danielle Fincham (Jr., Surprise, Ariz., Exercise Science), Ashley Gorman (So., Stillwater, Minn., Exercise Science), Macyn Huston (So., Durant, Iowa, Elementary Education), Lucy Mitchell (Jr., Poulsbo, Wash., Psychology and Human Services), Hannalee Songer (So., Ottumwa, Iowa, Business Management), and Alyssa Tanner (Fr., Traverse City, Mich., Sports Management).

On Friday, five Statesmen also participated in the six-game USBC Singles Sectionals with Gorman posting the best day with 1,154 pins for 39th place.

Mitchell was next with 1,150 pins, while Fincham (1,147), Tanner (1,129), and Songer (1,047) also competed.

The top five individuals in the standings move on to next month's national event.

"The ladies had a slow start to the weekend, throwing the ball well, but their scores were not reflecting," Head Coach Kirstin Foster said.  "We made some minor changes going into Sunday, and it helped with scoring, but it was not enough.  They never got down on themselves, and we used our time to work on making the necessary improvements for nationals."

Next Up: William Penn travels to Lansing, Mich. Thursday through Saturday to compete in the NAIA National Championship.