Mustangs cruise to team, individual championships at Cedar Valley Invitational

WATERLOO, Iowa -- The nationally-ranked Mount Mercy men's and women's bowling teams wrapped up the regular season this weekend by winning both team championships and landing seven players on all-tournament teams. Zach Andresen and Brooke Salzman won their respective individual titles. 

On the women's side, the distance between first and second was more than 1,000 pins. The Mustangs ran away with the team title with a total pinfall of 8,031. The rest of the nine-team field included Coe (6,961), Barton C.C. (6,886), Hawkeye C.C. (6,608), Waldorf (6,601), Iowa Western (6,582), Wartburg (6,087), Kansas (6,082), and Luther (5,694).

Mount Mercy claimed the top four positions in the individual standings. With 1,147 pins and a 229.4 average, it was Salzman in the top spot. Brynna Madison was second with a total pinfall of 1,034 and 206.8 average, followed by Elena Carr with 1,001 pins and an average of 200.2 and Mackenzie Ullian at 989 pins and a 197.8 average.

The Mustang men crushed the 13-team field with an overall total of 8,625 pins. Quincy (7,877), Waldorf (7,863), Coe (7,554), and Iowa Western (7,513), Wartburg (7,317), Barton C.C. (7,162), Hawkeye C.C. (7,149), Luther (6,829), and Kansas (6,820) rounded out the top 10.

Mount Mercy had three of the top five individuals, led by Andresen. He finished with a total pinfall of 1,100 for a 220 average. Andru Blaney was second with 1,087 pins and a 217.4 average, while Kai Yamada placed fifth with a total pinfall of 1,045 and an average of 209.

Mount Mercy awaits postseason assignments this week. The Intercollegiate Team Championships (ITC) Sectionals Assignment Show takes place on Wednesday at 6:00 pm Central Time. Fans can watch on BowlTV, YouTube, or Facebook to discover which teams will be competing in the four sectional qualifiers.