Day One Recap of NAIA Women's Bowling National Championships

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – [BRACKET | SCHEDULE] - The 4th Annual NAIA Women's Bowling National Championship, hosted by Lawrence Tech and the Detroit Sports Commission, started knocking down pins on Thursday. The 2024 event is once again held at 5 Star Lanes and is competed from March 21st to 23rd. The 12 participating teams tossed a total of 24 rounds in Baker Play to start the day, which determined seeding for Round 1 of Bracket Play in the afternoon.

Click HERE to see the full schedule and results page.

Baker Play Highlights

• The reigning champions of SCAD Savannah (Ga.) earned the top seed with a total score of 5,043 pins with scores ranging from 810 to 894 in individual sets.
• Pikeville (Ky.) secured the second position with a total score of 4,918 pins, 125 pins behind the leaders by recording scores from 756 to 884.
• The Fighting Saints from St. Francis (Ill.) took the third spot with a total score of 4,858 pins as they posted scores ranging from 775 to 871.
• William Penn (Iowa) landed in fourth place with a total score of 4,634 pins, showcasing commendable effort throughout the sets from 661 to 807.
• The Cougars of St. Xavier (Ill.) secured the fifth position with a total score of 4,568 pins. Their lowest score was 704 and their highest was 803.
• Milligan (Tenn.) slots in sixth with a combined score of 4,525 and a high score of 815 and a low of 657.
• Spring Arbor (Mich.), the Crossroads Regular Season Champions, are now seeded seventh, with a total of 4,485.
• Concordia (Mich.) is competing at the championships for the first time in program history and sit in eighth with a score of 4,446 with a low of 610 and a high of 835.
• The Braves of Ottawa (Kan.) hit 796 twice, their set high, for a total score of 4,427 and a ninth place finish.
• Midway (Ky.) is competing on the national stage for the first time and ending their first championship day in 10th. Their 4,364 total pin count came with a high of 773 and a low of 650. 
• The Warriors of Indiana Tech grabbed 11th with a final count of 4,330 via a high of 802 and a low score of 679.
• William Woods (Mo.) rounded up the rankings and is the third team making their first appearance at the 2024 championships. They recorded a total score of 4,281. 
• The seeding process uses six Baker sets to determine the brackets.
• SCAD Savannah, UPIKE, St. Francis, and William Penn received a Round 1 bye and did not bowl again Thursday.

Round One Highlights

• The 2024 Championship saw Bracket Play increase to the best-of-seven format.
• Concordia (Mich.) fought back after bein down 2-1 to win the final three sets and claim the 4-2 win, setting up a match with No. 1 seed SCAD Savannah (Ga.).
• St. Xavier (Ill.) bested 12th seeded William Woods (Mo.) by a 4-2 score and will move on to face fourthseeded William Penn (Iowa).
• Milligan (Tenn.) had the most decisive victory as they bested the Warriors of Indiana Tech 4-1; The Buffs will play third seeded St. Francis in Round Two.
• No. 10 Midway (ky.) pulled the upset over No. 7 Spring Arbor (Mich.) as it was the only game to go the full distance.
• Indiana Tech, Spring Arbor, Ottawa (Kan.), and William Woods drop to the elimination bracket.

For additional information on the 2024 NAIA Women's Bowling National Championship, click HERE.