Bowling squads finish in top three at Mid-States Championships

WICHITA, Kan. -- The Mount Mercy women's bowling team finished in the top spot after qualifying and reached the match play finals while the Mustang men qualified third -- their highest qualifying finish at a Tier 1 tournament in program history -- and advanced to the semifinals of match at the Mid-States Championships.

With a total pinfall of 9,379, the women's squad earned the top seed in match play. That included 5,600 pins during six team games and 3,779 over 20 Baker games. The Mustangs defeated eighth-seeded Grand View in the match play quarterfinals and then fifth-seeded St. Ambrose in the semifinals. Second-seeded Newman defeated Mount Mercy in the finals, 3-1.

The Mustang men totaled 5,899 pins during team games and 4,378 in Baker games for a total pinfall of 10,277 pins, good for the No. 3 seed in match play. Only Wichita State (11,331 pins) and St. Ambrose (10,715) finished higher. After toppling sixth-seeded Lindenwood in the match play quarterfinals, seventh-seeded Newman ended Mount Mercy's bid in the semifinals. Wisconsin-Whitewater went on to win the playoff.

Individually, Salzman finished third with 1,204 pins and a 200.7 average to garner all-tournament honors. Other Mustangs competing included Mackenzie Ullian (1,115 pins/185.8 avg), Jaelle Hamman (1,099/183.2 avg), Megan Kolberg (775/193.8 avg), Brynna Madison (695/173.8 avg), Chloe Day (373/186.5 avg), Nada Nawwarah Abdul Jalil (178/178 avg), and Elena Carr (161/161 avg).

Andru Blaney was the top individual for the Mount Mercy men, totaling 1,201 pins and a 200.2 average. Zach Andresen (1,186 pins/197.7 avg), Kai Yamada (988/197.6 avg), Kyle Rosenberg (910/227.5 avg), Andrei Tacorda (577/192.3 avg), Tom Burns (533/177.7 avg), and Ryan Julian (504/168.0 avg) also competed for the Mustangs.

Mount Mercy hosts the Five Seasons Classic on Oct. 28-29. The men's half of the tournament will be at May City Bowl, the women's action will take place at Cedar Rapids Bowling Center.