WPU Claims Runner-Up Sport at League Championship

Oskaloosa--The William Penn women's bowling team fell just short of the top hardware as it took second at the Heart of America Athletic Conference Championship Saturday and Sunday.

WPU, which was the top qualifier out of six teams with 4,588 pins in 24 Baker games, was upended twice by Baker which came out of the consolation side.

As the top seed, the Statesmen opened match play with a bye before dispatching #5 seed Peru State 3-0 (179-159, 169-158, 176-128).

The navy and gold then got by #2 seed Baker 3-1 (215-179, 203-197, 166-199, 222-151) to advance to the championship round.

The Wildcats rebounded to drop Peru State in the loser's bracket and force a rematch against WPU.  The Statesmen started hot with a game of 245, but then cooled off and dropped the next two rounds.  WPU was able to get even in the fourth game, only to be closed out with losses in the fifth and sixth for a 4-2 score.  Final game tallies were 245-180, 175-192, 159-202, 182-170, 169-191, 157-205.

The loss forced an if-necessary game and it went the distance.  William Penn dropped each of the first three odd-numbered games, but answered back each time in the even-numbered rounds.  Unfortunately, the Statesmen failed to grab the seventh and final bout for a 4-3 loss as it claimed the silver.  Final scores were 189-194, 195-156, 169-197, 176-167, 181-195, 225-214, 186-205.

It marked the third year in a row that WPU and BU have faced off for the title.  Unfortunately, the Statesmen once again could not take down the Wildcats.

Baker receives the Heart's automatic bid to NAIA Nationals, while WPU will now wait to see if it earned an at-large berth.

"This was obviously not the outcome we wanted," Head Coach Kirstin Foster said.  "The ladies fought hard throughout and showed a lot of determination.  We found some things to work on before we enter into the postseason, but for now we await the decision from the NAIA if we get in to nationals."

Next Up: William Penn will travel to Dallas, Texas for USBC Sectionals on March 10-12.