Statesmen Impress with Semifinals Finish at ISYL Leatherneck Classic

Rockford, Ill.—The Statesmen women's bowling team performed well over the weekend as it reached the semifinals at the ISYL Leatherneck Classic last Saturday and Sunday.

William Penn placed fourth in a competitive field of 30 teams, tallying 7,619 pins across five regular games and 16 Baker games. Mount Mercy led the qualifying rounds with 8,424 pins, securing the top seed in bracket play.

The Statesmen entered bracket play as the #4 seed and defeated #5 Governors State (Ill.) in the quarterfinals with a 2-0 sweep (191-190, 246-160). In the semifinals, however, they faced the top-seeded Mustangs and fell in two close games (202-205, 201-248).

Saint Xavier ultimately defeated Mount Mercy 2-0 in the finals to take home the championship.

Mount Mercy's Nada Nawwarah Abdul Jalil topped the qualifying leaderboard with an impressive 218.0 average over five games (1,092 total pins).

Caitlin Radliff (Sr., Belleville, Ill., Software Engineering) led William Penn with a 200.4 average, earning a 13th-place finish, while Sammantha Meyers (Sr., Rockford, Ill., Elementary Education) followed closely with a 194.0 average across five rounds. 

Victoria Potter (Sr., Yuma, Ariz., Psychology) averaged 177.0 pins as Olivia Pilcher (Jr., Ottumwa, Iowa, Exercise Science) knocked down 175.0 over three games. Lucy Mitchell (So., Poulsbo, Wash., Psychology) hit 174.7 pins over the span of three rounds, and Olivia Nolte (Sr., Atkins, Iowa, Elementary Education) averaged 172.7 at three games.

Kelcey Aczon (Jr., Las Vegas, Nev., Nursing) rounded out the team with a 170 average in three games.

The Statesmen varsity reserve squad also had a standout weekend, taking home the title. Ashley Gorman (Fr., Stillwater, Minn., Exercise Science) led with a solid 191.2 average across five rounds. 

"The varsity girls grinded on Saturday, setting themselves up well for Sunday," said Head Coach Kirstin Foster. "On Sunday, we made some adjustments that helped us climb into matchplay, and though we didn't reach the finals, we averaged the highest score in matchplay—there was a lot to be proud of."

Foster also commended the varsity reserve's efforts, noting, "The JV girls started strong and kept up the pace. For many, this was their first college tournament, and they handled it well with some great individual performances."

Next Up: The Statesmen have a short break before heading to the NAIA Invitational in Louisville, Ky., from November 22-24.