The Quincy University men’s bowling team participated in the Team Match Games at St. Clair Bowl, the final Tier One event for the first semester. 

After securing a second-place finish at the Lindenwood Tournament, the Hawks sought to regroup and break into the top 25 in the national rankings. 

The team entered the tournament sitting in 27th place.

The Hawks were determined to perform strongly, but the first day of competition posed significant challenges. 

The players faced difficulties with lane transitions and overall reaction, resulting in a rocky start. Despite their struggles, the team managed to rally as the day progressed, improving their play and positioning.

At the end of the first day, the Quincy men’s team found themselves in 17th place out of 25 teams. 

Reflecting on the challenges of day one, QU bowler Connor Meegan emphasized the team’s resolve to adjust and improve.

“Day one was a little rough. We had a lot of issues with reaction, lane play, and everything else. However, we took what we saw on day one and capitalized on making better shots and using better equipment on day two to shoot one of the highest Baker sets we ever had as a team to jump a few spots and get more points for the tournament,” Meegan said.

This strategy paid off as the Hawks capitalized on their experiences from day one and executed a strong performance on the second day of the tournament. 

The team managed to jump four spots in a single day, rising to finish in 13th place overall. 

This finish kept the Hawks within reach of their goal to enter the top 25, as they continued to hold their 27th-place position in the national rankings.

With the conclusion of the tournament, the QU men’s bowling team wrapped up the first semester and shifted their focus to the second half of the season. 

QU Bowler Gael Roman shared his excitement for the Thanksgiving break because he went home for the break.

“I finally get to eat a home-cooked meal. Since I’m Mexican, I don’t eat American food. It’s usually like tamales or something like that, and I’m so excited about that. I haven’t had anything good, since the café isn’t the greatest, but I’m so excited,” Roman said.

Looking ahead, the men’s bowling team has two tournaments remaining before sectionals, with their next competition set to take place during winter break in Addison, Illinois. 

The team is focused on starting the second half of the season strong, hoping to make a significant impact in their remaining matches.

Women’s Bowling Team Update

The Quincy University women’s bowling team has faced challenges throughout the season, and the Team Match Games proved no different. The women’s team struggled during the first day of competition, finishing in 18th place. 

However, they managed to find some success on day two, moving up one spot to finish 17th overall.

Key contributors for the women’s team included Hayden Bennett, who placed 26th with a 177 average, and Jessica Ladd, who finished in 39th place with a 166.8 average. 

Despite their challenges, the women’s team continues to push forward, seeking to improve their performance as they head into the second semester.

The QU men’s and women’s bowling teams now turn their attention to the second half of the season, preparing for upcoming tournaments as they aim for sectional qualification and improved national standings.