William Penn Shut Out at NAIA Nationals

Sterling Heights, Mich.--The Statesmen men's bowling squad unfortunately could not get jumpstarted as it finished 0-2 at the NAIA National Championship Thursday and Friday.

WPU began competition by qualifying 12th out of 12 teams with 4,569 pins in 24 Baker games.  Indiana Tech guided the standings with 5,400 pins.

As the #12 seed, the Statesmen met #5 Tennessee Southern in the first round.  William Penn eclipsed 200 in the first game, but could not keep pace with the higher seed in a 3-0 setback; match scores were 203-225, 179-244, 172-197.

The Statesmen looked to stay alive with a big upset over #3 SCAD Savannah (Ga.), and rolled better with two games over 200, but it was not enough.  WPU was eliminated by the Bees 3-0 with match scores of 214-257, 214-235, 197-265.

National championship team members included Jake Cook (Sr., Keokuk, Iowa, Physical Education), Conor Fetherston (Fr., Dublin, Ireland), Nate Hansen (Sr., Anchorage, Alaska, Industrial Technology), Coleton Jacobson (Jr., West Jordan, Utah, Exercise Science), Bryce Keykal (So., Princeton, Minn., Education), Jayson Miner (Sr., Silvis, Ill., Business Management), Kody Sapp (Jr., Donnelson, Iowa, Sociology), and Jared Smith (Jr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, General Accounting).

"Although this week did not go as we planned, we have nothing to hang our heads about," Head Coach Cameron Foster said.  "I am proud of what this team has done all year.  I am sad to lose our seniors Jayson Miner and Jake Cook, but look forward to helping Jayson make one last run at USBC Singles Nationals next month."