WPU Qualifies Second, Falls Short in Bracket Play at NAIA Invite

William Penn University Athletics

by Wade Steinlage

Topeka, Kan.–The William Penn men’s bowling team experienced a rollercoaster ride of emotions, but in the end fell shy of its ultimate goal at the NAIA Invitational Thursday and Friday.

The Statesmen entered as one of the favorites to take home hardware and were in position to do that, qualifying second out of 12 teams with 5,031 pins in 24 Baker games. Indiana Tech finished on top of the standings with 5,161 pins.

As the #2 seed, WPU opened the double-elimination bracket tournament with a first-round bye. Unfortunately, the extra time off did not benefit the navy and gold as they fell 3-1 to #7 seed SCAD Savannah (Ga.) 3-1; the Bees would eventually win the title.

Relegated to the consolation bracket, William Penn could not get its mojo back and fell 3-0 to Lawrence Tech (Mich.) to be eliminated from competition.

Team members included David Decker (Jr.., Peyton, Colo., Physical Education), Aleksander Kostric (So., Koper, Slovenia, Sports Management), Rok Kostric (So., Koper, Slovenia, Sports Management), Albert Liggins (Fr., Ravanel, S.C.), Curtis Majka (Sr., Elgin, Ill., Mechanical Engineering), Logan Mason (Sr., Knoxville, Iowa, Business Management), Jayson Miner (Fr., Silvis, Ill., Physical Education), and Nick Walker (Sr., Zeeland, Mich., Business Management).