Women's Bowling Wins 1st Event in School History at Railsplitter Baker Kickoff; Men Finish 6th

2016 Sep 20

The UC Bowling teams opened their 2016-17 seasons this past weekend as they traveled to Harrogate, Tennessee for the Railsplitter Baker Kickoff hosted by Lincoln Memorial University. At this competition, the teams would compete in 36 Baker games in hopes to qualify for the winner-take-all tournament. The men's team would finish 6th of 10 competing teams while the women's team would win the tournament, marking the first tournament championship won by a UC bowling team in school history.

The Patriots men's team this weekend consisted of Brad Paynter (Carlisle, OH), Darion Hite (Hillsborough, NC), Adam Thress (Lancaster, OH), Brandon Cooney (Lancaster, OH), Cameron Pettyjohn (Lexington, KY), Andrew Cora (Mt. Sterling, KY), and Conner Leidtke (Sunbury, OH). UC would finish qualifying with a score of 3,412 which earned them the #6 seed in the single-elimination tournament. Unfortunately, the Patriots would fall in the opening round with a loss to Bethel two games to one by scores of 180-175, 161-170, 214-188.

The Patriot ladies would have much more success though with the team of Amanda Kelly (Georgetown, KY), Sarah Doyle (Georgetown, KY), Jillian Bunnell (Franklin, OH), Nicole Eades (Lexington, KY), Megan McReynolds (Kingsport, TN), and Mekaila McReynolds (Kingsport, TN). UC would qualify as the #4 seed with a score of 3,516. The Patriots would defeat Union College in the opening round two games to none by scores of 197-119 and 212-134.

The next challenge in the semifinal round would be against Emmanuel, who gained national recognition last season. UC would rely on a mark from senior Jillian Bunnell in the 10th frame to win the match two games to one by scores of 168-115, 180-226, 156-150. In the championship match against Bethel, it was close throughout the contest but in the decisive third game, it was freshman Sarah Doyle and the senior Bunnell making marks in the final two frames to give the Patriots the win two games to one by scores of 171-189, 188-151, 165-153.

Head Coach Kevin Reigle commented, "This was great for our seniors to win the first tournament of their senior year. They were the first class here four years ago. Both the varsity women and the JV women bowled so well this weekend to come away with the first two tournament wins for the program. It was a long two days, but the girls fought through it and I am very proud of them. The men still have some work to do, but it was the first tournament of the season and we will come to form. The outlook for the season as a whole looks very good."

UP NEXT

The Patriots are back on the road September 24th and 25th as they participate in the Green River Classic in Campbellsville, Kentucky.

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