BOWLING

The Huntington University bowling teams kicked off the 2021 season over the weekend with a great showing at the WHAC Jamboree #1 hosted by Indiana Tech at Thunderbowl #1 in Fort Wayne. The HU men bowled well to finish third out of the 12-team field while the HU women won their side in convincing fashion.

Due to COVID restrictions, the format of these jamborees has changed to include three team games followed by ten Baker games with a small break in between.

The Huntington women recorded a total score of 4962 (198.48/game average), 308 pins ahead of second-place Indiana Tech, to win the league’s first tournament of the season.

Freshman Paige New wasted little time making a name for herself in the WHAC by posting a 232 per game average to run away with the individual title and secure a spot on the all-tournament team. Seventy-eight pins separated her from second place. Amber Elliott finished sixth with her 191 per game average to narrowly miss being named to the all-tournament squad.

“The women had a similar plan of attack for the lane pattern that the men had, and they executed it as well as we could have hoped for,” said Coach Mike Shockey. “By the end of the tournament, the ladies had pulled away and won by over 300 pins.

“It was absolutely wonderful watching the team gain confidence and bowl well. The truly exciting part is that we bowled well, but not as well as we’re capable of.  I think this tournament did a lot for our confidence and proved to each athlete that we are and can be competitive with any school.”

On the men’s side, the Foresters were solid all day posting a final score of 5190 (207.6/game average) which included 2052 pins in Baker play. Austin Schultz led the team with a 235 per game average to be deemed the individual champion and a member of the all-tournament team.

Daniel Burzynski also had an impressive outing by placing fifth with his 226 per game average which also landed him a spot on the all-tournament team. Dylan Crowley just missed  an all-tournament designation by claiming seventh with a 223 per game average.

“The guys bowled really well,” said Coach Mike Shockey. “We had a plan going into the day and they executed it about as well as possible.

“We placed three guys in the top seven with two of them finishing in the top five. It is definitely a tournament we can use to build on and improve going forward. We bowled well, but I don’t think this is even close to what we are capable of.”

Next up for Shockey and crew is WHAC Jamboree #2 on Saturday in Jackson, Mich.