CCSJ Bowling Falters at NAIA Championships
HIGHLAND, Ind. – There is a level of pressure that comes with playing in any championship. There is even more when you are hosting it. The Calumet College of St. Joseph bowling programs welcomed 38 other teams to the region this past weekend to play in the NAIA Invitational Championships, held at Plaza Lanes in Highland. Unfortunately, the pressure got to the teams, leading to early exits on day two of competition. For one team, it was the end of their season. For the other, a wakeup call heading to nationals in mid-April.
Of the two teams, the Lady Wave fared the best. Having placed fourth during Friday qualifications, the women set themselves up nicely in terms of seeding. The women were tasked with defeating 20th seed Webber International in the first round, something they failed to do in four games, dropping them into the loser's bracket. From there the Crimson and Gray made a charge, rattling off three game sweeps against Marian University and Aquinas College. The team was within one game of making it to championship Sunday, but their run was stopped just short by Saint Ambrose, who beat the Wave in three close battles. Overall, the team would finish in a respectable seventh place.
Over on the men's side, nothing seemed to go right all weekend. The team struggled during qualifications, earning themselves the 12th seed, and a first round bye for competition on Saturday. The struggles carried over to the next day however, starting in the first game against Saint Ambrose. The Bees would come back from a 0-2 deficit to take the next three games and the series against CCSJ. Much like the women, the men would need to make a run in the loser's bracket, but that was not meant to be. The Wave were beat by Hastings College in five sets once again, abruptly ending the pre-tournament favorites run at the NAIA Championship crown.
The season has now come to an end for the women, having their second place finish in Las Vegas be their crowning achievement for the season. This was just a warmup for the men however, as they will begin preparations for the USBC Intercollegiate Championships in mid-April.
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