Stephen F. Austin Brings First NCAA Championship to Southland Bowling League
NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J.
– For the first time in SFA Athletics history, an NCAA Division I national championship trophy will reside in Nacogdoches as Stephen F. Austin defeated reigning champion Nebraska in seven games to capture the 2016 NCAA Division I Bowling Championship.
The Ladyjacks continued their impressive run, winning the final six matches of the tournament to avenge last year’s 4-2 loss to the Cornhuskers and clinch the first national title in program history as well as SFA’s first team NCAA championship at the Division I level.
Entering the day in the winners bracket, the Ladyjacks made quick work of North Carolina A&T in the semifinal bout, racing past the Aggies 4-0 to earn a spot in the championship bout. SFA dominated all four games against North Carolina A&T, with the smallest winning margin 28 pins, solidifying their spot in the championship bout and a national TV appearance for the second-straight year.
Drawing reigning champion Nebraska, the Ladyjacks and Cornhuskers matched each other pin-for-pin for the majority of game one. Nebraska bowled strikes on its final five frames while the Ladyjacks had to settle for a handful of spares, dropping the opener 205-193.
In game two, however, SFA began to find its groove. After settling for spares early, SFA closed out the match with the lineup all notching strikes in its second frame, registering seven-straight strikes to outlast the Cornhuskers 238-198, evening the match at 1-1.
The strikes continued well into game three for SFA as the Ladyjacks registered strikes on its first six frames, extending its streak to 12-straight 10-piners, as SFA and Nebraska staged one of the toughest games of the match. But the strikes for the Ladyjacks proved to be enough as SFA defeated the Huskers 265-242, going up 2-1 for its first-ever lead in an NCAA championship bout.
But after registering a multitude of strikes in game three, SFA traded those in for open frames in game four, leaving four of the first six frames open and allowing Nebraska to assume the drivers’ seat, falling to the Cornhusker 227-164 to set up a best-of-three race to the championship.
Back on the right lane in game five, SFA quickly settled back into its comfort zone as the Ladyjacks were able to take advantage of miscues from Nebraska on the left. After building a commanding lead, SFA watched as Nebraska pulled to within 10 in the final frame and threatened to steal the game. But sophomore
Stephanie Schwartz converted a key spare in the frame, then registered a strike to put the game out of reach 196-187, putting SFA one win away from the national championship.
The loss in game five seemed to fire up Nebraska, however, as the Huskers seemingly couldn’t miss in game six. Nebraska registered strikes on the first six frames of the game and cruised to the easy 237-160 win over the Ladyjacks, setting up the winner-take-all seventh game.
With Nebraska the higher seeded team, it chose to bowl on the right lane which had been more favorable to both teams on the night. SFA had recorded its two lowest scores on the left lane, but broke through the mental barrier early on, beginning with a strike from senior
Danielle Lynn in frame one.
With the title on the line, it was the Ladyjacks that rose up to the challenge, watching as Nebraska settled for spares while freshman
Dakotah Hazlewood and juniors
Kiara Grant and
Paige Kraushaar each delivered key strikes.
With two frames to go, the realization of what was about to happen overtook the Ladyjacks who earned redemption from last year’s disappointing finish, closing out the match with a 247-192 win in game seven and earned the honor of hoisting the national championship trophy.
Following the championship, Grant was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team as she played a vital role in helping lead SFA to the national championship. Her 224.2 average was second among all competitors over the weekend with her 290 in the match against McKendree proving to be the highest single-game of the tournament.
After opening up the tournament with a disappointing 1-4 start on Friday, the Ladyjacks went perfect over the final two days of competition, going 6-0 and winning 16 of the 23 matches in the double elimination baker tournament. SFA closes out the season with an overall record of 88-45, setting a new program record for victories in a season.
SFA fans are invited to celebrate the first Division I national championship in program history by welcoming home the Ladyjacks Sunday afternoon. The team is expected to return back to Nacogdoches at approximately 6 p.m. as there will be a welcome home party in the SFA Fieldhouse to celebrate the champions.
2016 NCAA Bowling Championships Final Day Results
Best-of-seven baker double elimination
Semifinals – SFA 4, North Carolina A&T 0
W, 233-180; W, 199-149; W, 236-170; W, 196-168
Championship – SFA 4, Nebraska 3
L, 205-193; W, 238-198; W, 265-242; L, 227-164; W, 196-187; L, 237-160; W, 247-192