V-Hawks host Pla-Mor Lanes invitational
Over the course of a frenetic afternoon, both Viterbo women’s and men’s bowling teams competed at the V-Hawk invitational at Pla-Mor Lanes in La Crosse, Wis. The V-Hawk women placed second of four teams, while the men placed fourth of seven.
After a highly contested competition, the women’s team totaled 6,790 pins, only 66 fewer than tournament winner Judson University, who took first place with a total score of 6,856 pins. Lincoln College came in third with a total of 5,595 pins.
Meanwhile, the men made a late comeback during baker play, rallying from sixth to fourth and totaling 6,690 pins at the end of the day. Judson won the men’s division with a total of 7,286 pins, with UW-La Crosse and Lincoln rounding out the podium with 7,134 and 6,911 pins, respectively.
Three V-Hawks made the all-tournament team. Sabrina Becker, a sophomore from Plainview, Minn. won the individual competition in the women’s division with a total of 831 pins. She was joined by her teammate Kaley Brault, a senior from Savage, Minn., who totaled 778 pins and placed fourth overall. On the men’s side, Tyler Tesch, a sophomore from Appleton, Wis. was the lone V-Hawk on the all-tournament team. Tesch totaled 890 pins over the course of individual play, good enough for fourth place in the standings.
The tournament was also a chance for the Viterbo teams to honor their graduating seniors. Mitchell Freese, Jaimee Houchins, Lauren Scheunemann, and Brault all received applause from their teammates prior to the start of the competition. When asked what impact the seniors had on V-Hawk bowling, Viterbo coach Jim Socha said, “It was evident that the bowlers were not playing for themselves, but for each other,” adding that, “I could have not asked for better leaders.”
Pla-Mor Lanes is a unique venue for a collegiate sporting event, and it provides a distinctive setting for the bowlers. “We try to keep the environment fun,” said Socha, stating that, “Our athletes and staff show great hospitality to visitors. At the end of each tournament, they always tell me they’ll be coming back next year.”
Both V-Hawk teams will compete in the USBC Sectionals, which will take place between March 13 and March 15 at a location to be determined.