Mustangs Finish First in Qualifying, Fall in Semifinals

WAUWATOSA, Wisc. - The MMU women's bowling team dominated their way once again through qualifying before falling in the semifinals of the Midwest Collegiate Championships, held in Wauwatosa over the weekend.

The Mustangs would finish first in qualifying by 607 pins. All five Mustang bowlers would finish in the top-15 for the second consecutive day, including four bowlers in the top-10. Brooke Salzman once again led the squad, recording a total pin count of 1084, with an average pin count of 216.8. Salzman had three games over 220, with her highest pin count game coming in the opener at 234. Just 12 pins behind her was McKenzie Mattice, who had a pin count of 1072, averaging 214.4 per game. Mattice had two games above 225, with her highest pin count coming in her final game of the day at 238.

Just outside the top five were Elena Carr and Jaelle Hamman, each finishing with pinfall totals of 1062, good for averages of 212.2 per game. Carr had her best game of the day in her final game, recording a pin count of 238, while Hamman had her best game in her opener at 232. The final Mustang was Nada Abdul Jalil, coming in at 13th, with a total pin cound of 1023. Jalil had three games over 200 with her best game being a 243.

As a team, the squad dominated through qualifying before taking on Davenport in bracket play. Following a match win against Davenport, the Mustangs would go up against Saint Ambrose in the semifinals. MMU held the lead in points over SAU until game four, when the Bees took the third game by a score of 195-191. In the decisive game four, the Bees took the win following a 214-188 score.

The Mustangs will be back at the lanes in two weekends at the Five Seasons Classic, sponsored by Cedar Rapids Tourism, held at May City Bowl.