Mustang bowlers headed to ITC nationals

ADDISON, Ill. -- The second-ranked Mount Mercy women's bowling team dominated the field while the eighth-ranked Mustang men placed third at the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships Sectional Qualifier at Stardust Bowl. Both teams earned ITC National Championship berths.

It's the second-straight berth and fourth overall for the women's squad, which quickly distanced themselves from the competition at the sectional qualifier. A total of 64 Baker games were on the docket and the Mustangs led by more than 400 pins at the halfway point.

They were never threatened, racking up a total pinfall of 13,585. Lawrence Tech was runner-up but more than 700 pins behind (12,826). Louisiana Tech (12,767) and Duquesne (12,761) joined Mount Mercy and Lawrence Tech as national qualifiers.

There were also 64 Baker games for the men, and Mount Mercy tallied 12,814 pins to nab their second consecutive national championship berth and third in program history. St. Ambrose won the sectional with a total pinfall of 13,313. Wisconsin-Whitewater (13,126) was runner-up, followed by the Mustangs and William Penn (12,756).

In Friday's ISC singles qualifier, also at Stardust Bowl, Kai Yamada and Elena Carr earned spots in the ISC National Championships. The top six individuals (plus ties) at each of the four sectional qualifiers compete at ISC nationals.

Yamada became the first Mount Mercy men's bowler in program history to qualify, finishing sixth with 1,305 pins. Carr is the third women's bowler in school history to make it after placing fourth with a total pinfall of 1,291. Ayra Nur Jehan Aminuddin was one pin away from qualifying with 1,242 pins. It would have been her second-straight qualifying berth.

The Mustangs will be back at Stardust Bowl in Addison April 17-23 for the Intercollegiate Team and Singles Championships.