Women Qualify for Nationals, Powell Four Shy of Reaching Singles Event
William Penn Women's Athletics
Fairview Heights, Ill.–The William Penn women’s bowling team will get a shot at its ultimate goal–the national crown–after finishing in the top four at the USBC Intercollegiate Team Sectionals over the weekend.
The Lady Statesmen placed third out of 17 teams with 11, 957 pins in 64 Baker games.
#8 Newman (Kan.) narrowly won the tournament with 11,985 pins, while #20 Calumet-St. Joseph (Ind.) was second at 11,967 and #4 Robert Morris (Ill.) was fourth at 11,832 to round out the qualifying group.
The four programs will now meet up with 12 more teams from the three other sectionals at the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships on April 19-21 in Lincoln, Neb.
William Penn entered the event 11th in the nation and held their seed over the weekend, never falling outside of the top four after each of the four sessions. The navy and gold eclipsed the 200 mark 17 times out of the 64 games (high of 231).
Prior to the team tournament, a total of 137 bowlers were also in competition in the six-game singles sectional Friday.
Samantha Powell (Jr., Herriman, Utah, Bingham HS) just missed qualifying for nationals as she placed fifth with a tally of 1,238 pins (top four advance).
Elise Bolton of Nebraska won the meet with 1,382 pins. Georgia Drewes of Newman claimed the final qualifying spot with 1,242 pins, just four ahead of Powell.
Kirstin Newberry (Jr., Holland, Mich., West Ottawa HS) was in the top ten as well, placing eighth with 1,203 pins.
Breanne Underwood (Sr., Treynor, Treynor HS) managed 1,138 pins, while Jessica Ganem (Jr., Austin, Texas, Leander HS) knocked down 1,113.
Amanda Edenholm (Jr., Marysville, Wash., Marysville-Pilchuck HS) finished with 986 pins, while Abigayle Wempen (Jr., Titonka, North Iowa HS) connected on 943 pins and Jessica Fuja (Fr., Roselle, Ill., Lake Park HS) concluded with 916.
Next: The Lady Statesmen compete for the NAIA title later this month as they travel to Indianapolis, Ind. for the NAIA Invitational from March 30-April 1.
