RedTails Reach Match Play for the First Time this Season

SIOUX CITY-The Hawkeye RedTail Men's Bowling team made their first match play appearance since the 2020-2021 season this past weekend. They competed at the Mustang Invitational on December 3-4, 2022. 

The team finished in third place overall with a total of 8,403 pins. The RedTails had a slow start to the weekend but were able to climb from eighth to third place on Saturday. The RedTails faced Iowa Western Community College during their first bracket play match. They won the best two out of three series. 

"We were internally focused, paying attention to what we had to do to win, which was to manage our team energy and throw the best shots we could," said assistant coach Joe Squires. 

The RedTails faced Hastings Community College, currently ranked seventh in the nation, for their second bracket play match. It came down to the 10th frame during both games but ultimately the RedTails came up short. 

"In game two, we made better shots. Unfortunately, between the lack of breaks and missed spares we left too many pins on the deck," said Squires. 

Simon Larsen was the top scorer for the RedTails, finishing in eighth place. Larsen totaled 1,201 pins, averaging 200.2 pins over six games. Alex Sturbaum placed 14th, scoring 1,124 pins with an average of 187.3 pins. Casey Christensen knocked down 956 pins over the weekend, finishing in 38th place. Kaden Miller and Jacob Butcher finished in 60th and 61st place, respectively. Miller played three games totaling 607 pins, while Butcher played four games and finished with a total of 601 pins. 

The RedTails next competition will be in Addison, Ill., for the Kegel Midwest Collegiate Classic on January 13-14, 2023.