Women’s bracket play qualification tops Jayhawk Collegiate trip

LAWRENCE, KS. – Fueled by three individuals placing in the first 35, Morningside University notched an impressive display at the University of Kansas' Jayhawk Collegiate Challenge Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 30-31.

Junior Lexi Schroeder (LeMars, Iowa), freshman Rachel Spier (Sioux Falls, S.D.), and sophomore Carissa Johnson (Hartford, S.D.) placed 31^st, 33^rd, and 35^th among the 137-competitor field. Schroeder registered a 1033 followed closely by Spier (1032) and Johnson (1026).

Head coach Steve Gonshorowski's team earned a spot in Sunday's bracket play section by being among the best eight in Saturday's baker games. The Mustangs made the most of the opportunity, knocking off top-seeded Baker University of Kansas 156-189, 171-162, and 192-168. They faced off with eventual champion Oklahoma Christian University in the semifinals, dropping a 146-193, 170-219 decision.

"It was a very trying condition which made scores pretty tight throughout the weekend," Gonshorowski said. "The lane set-ups made spare shooting the difference in scoring.

"We were in ninth place for most of the two days, but on the second to last set of baker, a 741 set put us in eighth place by 31 pins," he added. "It was a big accomplishment for us."

Mside's men wound up 13^th of 19. Sophomore Braeden Johnson (Sergeant Bluff, Iowa) was the team leader, rolling an 1125 to put himself in the individual top 40. "It was good to see all of our men get a chance to be in competition," Gonshorowski said. "However, we just couldn't find a consistent area to throw the ball in."

Sophomores Darren Stein (Harlan, Iowa) and Reece Hartmann (Sioux Falls, S.D.) followed Johnson on the Mustangs' team list. Stein averaged 179.6 with Hartmann at 178.3 in baker play.

Morningside's robust pre-Christmas campaign continues Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 6 and 7 at the Hastings College Bronco Open.