Sport | College Bowling |
---|---|
Founded | 2004 |
No. of teams | 101 (regular season, 2022–23) 17 (championship, 2023) |
Most recent champion(s) | Vanderbilt (3) |
Most titles | Nebraska (6) |
TV partner(s) | ESPNU |
Official website | NCAA.com |
The NCAA Bowling Championship is a sanctioned women's championship in college athletics. Unlike many NCAA sports, only one National Collegiate championship is held each season with teams from Division I, Division II, and Division III competing together. Seventeen teams, nine of them automatic qualifiers and the other eight being at-large selections, are chosen by the NCAA Bowling Committee to compete in the championship. The championship was first held in April 2004.
The most successful team is Nebraska with 6 titles. Vanderbilt are the reigning champions, coming back from a 3 games to 1 deficit to defeat Arkansas State 4 games to 3 in the 2023 championship held at South Point Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.
Nebraska is the only program to qualify for all 19 NCAA Bowling Championships since the NCAA started sponsoring bowling in the 2003-04 season.[1]
Format
The collegiate bowling season runs from late October through the end of March, and the National Collegiate Women's Bowling Championship is held in April.
Through 2017
The format for the championships from 2004-2017 began with qualifying rounds in which each team bowled one five-person regular team game against each of the other seven teams participating in the championship.
Teams would then be seeded for bracket play based on their qualifying rounds win–loss record and then competed in best-of-seven-games Baker matches in a double elimination tournament. In the Baker format, each of the five team members, in order, bowls one frame until a complete (10-frame) game is bowled. A Baker match tied 3½ games to 3½ games after seven games is decided by a tiebreaker, using the Modified Baker format, which takes the scoring from only frames 6 thru 10.[2]
2018 and 2019
In previous years, all eight participants received at-large bids. In 2018 the NCAA Women's Bowling Committee selected a field of ten participants. Six teams are automatic qualifiers from the conferences that have been granted an automatic bid, and the other four receive at-large bids. At that time, the six conferences that fulfilled the criteria to be granted an automatic qualifier were the Division I Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Northeast Conference, Southland Bowling League, and Southwestern Athletic Conference, plus the Division II Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association and East Coast Conference. The ten participants were ranked and seeded based on the criteria used by the selection committee. The top six seeds automatically entered the championship bracket. The four lowest-seeded teams played in on-campus opening round matches to determine the two participants advancing to the eight-team championship bracket. To minimize travel costs, the matchups were determined by geographical proximity rather than seedings.[3]
In 2019, the championship field expanded from 10 to 12 teams, coinciding with two new conferences fulfilling the criteria for automatic qualification—the Division II Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) and the Division III Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference. Accordingly, eight conference champions received automatic bids, and the NCAA Women's Bowling Committee selected four at-large teams to fill out the 12-team field. The top four teams were seeded into the Championship bracket, while the eight remaining teams competed in four play-in matches. The winners of these matches were seeded into the eight-team championship bracket.[4]
Qualifying rounds were eliminated in favor of a seeded double-elimination bracket. Each match within the bracket consisted of best-of-three matches using specified formats (five-person regular team matches, Baker total pinfall, and Baker match play).
The championship finals were a best-of-seven match using Baker match play rules.[5] The tiebreaker rule used through 2017 will still apply to Baker match play in the new format.
From 2020
The championship was scheduled to expand to 16 teams in 2020. The number of automatic bids was reduced by one after the MIAA bowling league disbanded at the end of the 2018–19 season. Although five schools that had participated in the final season of MIAA bowling became part of the new bowling league of the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC), those schools were not in the same bowling league for a sufficient time to allow the GLVC to inherit the MIAA's automatic bid.[6]
The 2020 tournament was intended to be the first to feature regional play. The field was to be split into four regions, each with four teams competing at predetermined sites; each of the top four seeds as chosen by the NCAA selection committee would be placed in a separate regional. Each regional was to be played as a double-elimination tournament, with the format identical to that introduced for the championship event in 2019. All regional matches, except for what the NCAA calls "if necessary regional finals", are best-of-three matches bowled in the following order: five-person team, Baker total pinfall, Baker best-of-seven match play. Any "if necessary regional final" will be Baker best-of-seven.[6] Regional winners will advance to the championship event, which will also be double-elimination. All matches will be bowled under the standard format for regionals (best-of-three matches using specified formats in a specific order) except the championship final, which will be Baker best-of-seven.[6]
On March 12, 2020, the NCAA announced that the 2020 tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]
The 2021 tournament featured six automatic berths (CIAA had its championship cancelled due to COVID-19) and ten at-large selections. This was the first tournament to feature regional play. Both regional and championship rounds were all played at one site.[8] The 2022 tournament saw the number of automatic bids increase by two, to eight, with the GLVC champion receiving an automatic bid for its champion and the CIAA champion returning after a one-year absence. There were eight at-large selections. For the first time, regional competition took place at four predetermined regional sites - Erie, PA, Rochester, NY, Lansing, MI, and Arlington, TX, with the regional winners advancing to the championship round.[9] The 2023 tournament saw the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin gain an automatic bid, bringing the total number of automatic bids to nine. Eight at-large selections and four predetermined regional sites carried over from the 2022 tournament.[10]
Champions
All schools are listed with their current athletic brand names, which do not always match those used by a school in the relevant season.
NCAA National Collegiate Bowling Championship | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Site | Championship | ||||||
Winner | Score | Runner-up | Individual Games | Most Outstanding Player | Ref | |||
2004 Details |
Emerald Bowl Houston, Texas |
Nebraska | 4–2 | Central Missouri | 170–131, 160–208, 185–190, 239–150, 219–197, 215–173[Note 1] | Shannon Pluhowsky, Nebraska | [11] | |
2005 Details |
Wekiva Lanes Orlando, Florida |
Nebraska | 4–2 | Central Missouri | 220–210, 247–266, 148–192, 205–190, 190–172, 235–184[Note 2] | Amanda Burgoyne, Nebraska | [12][13] | |
2006 Details |
Emerald Bowl Houston, Texas |
Fairleigh Dickinson | 4–1 | Alabama A&M | 209–165, 148–184, 172–165, 200–179, 196–165[Note 3] | Lisa Friscioni, Fairleigh Dickinson | [14] | |
2007 Details |
Wekiva Lanes Apopka, Florida |
Vanderbilt | 4–3 | Maryland Eastern Shore | 167–164, 242–166, 154–202, 148–170, 224–180, 178–235, 198–150[Note 4] | Josie Earnest, Vanderbilt | [15][16] | |
2008 Details |
Thunder Alley Omaha, Nebraska |
Maryland Eastern Shore | 4–2 | Arkansas State | 179–223, 200–181, 180–182, 217–164, 175–152, 174–170 | Jessica Worsley, UMES | [17][18] | |
2009 Details |
Super Bowl Lanes Canton, Michigan |
Nebraska | 4–1 | Central Missouri | 200–185, 149–198, 201–168, 201–177, 190–135 | Cassandra Leuthold, Nebraska | [19] | |
2010 Details |
Brunswick Zone Carolier Lanes North Brunswick, New Jersey |
Fairleigh Dickinson | 4–3 | Nebraska | 209–167, 202–222, 203–213, 229–192, 201–222, 230–190, 208–174 | Danielle McEwan, Fairleigh Dickinson | [20] | |
2011 Details |
Skore Lanes Taylor, Michigan |
Maryland Eastern Shore | 4–2 | Vanderbilt | 215–197, 164–193, 201–248, 234–204, 235–166, 192–181 | Kristina Frahm, UMES | [21][22] | |
2012 Details |
Freeway Lanes Wickliffe, Ohio |
Maryland Eastern Shore | 4–2 | Fairleigh Dickinson | 222–204, 236–215, 167–249, 208–168, 170–223, 203–176 | T'nia Falbo, UMES | [23] | |
2013 Details |
Super Bowl Lanes Canton, Michigan |
Nebraska | 4½–2½ | Vanderbilt | 211–199, 186–197, 156–169, 190–190, 196–189, 202–182, 246–200 | Liz Kuhlkin, Nebraska | [24] | |
2014 |
Game of Wickliffe Wickliffe, Ohio |
Sam Houston | 4–2 | Nebraska | 181–166, 182–187, 193–190, 189–197, 205–191, 195–165 | Kimi Davidson, Sam Houston |
[25] | |
2015 |
Tropicana Lanes Richmond Heights, Missouri |
Nebraska | 4–2 | Stephen F. Austin | 237–232, 178–253, 201–171, 179–188, 205–201, 195–154 | Julia Bond, Nebraska | [26] | |
2016 | Brunswick Zone Carolier Lanes North Brunswick, New Jersey |
Stephen F. Austin | 4–3 | Nebraska | 193–205, 238–198, 265–242, 164–227, 196–187, 160–237, 247–192 | Kiara Grant, Stephen F. Austin | [27] | |
2017 |
Raising Cane's River Center Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
McKendree | 4–0 | Nebraska | 182–169, 244–192, 224–212, 240–223 | Breanna Clemmer, McKendree | [28] | |
2018 Details |
Tropicana Lanes Richmond Heights, Missouri |
Vanderbilt | 4–3 | McKendree | 224–204, 174–233, 182–193, 233–204, 203–255, 208–205, 220–191 | Emily Rigney & Katie Stark, Vanderbilt | [29] | |
2019 Details |
RollHouse Wickliffe Wickliffe, Ohio |
Stephen F. Austin | 4–1 | Vanderbilt | 167–183, 222–166, 203–175, 224–190, 213–202 | Paige Beeney, Stephen F. Austin | [30] | |
2020 |
Thunderbowl Lanes Allen Park, Michigan |
Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | [7] | |||||
2021 Details |
AMF Pro Lanes North Kansas City, Missouri |
Nebraska | 4–1 | Arkansas State | 217–224, 235–194, 201–190, 179–162, 198–170 | Crystal Elliott, Nebraska | [31] | |
2022 Details |
Wayne Webb's Columbus Bowl Columbus, Ohio |
McKendree | 4–0 | Stephen F. Austin | 201–188, 200–188, 186–182, 215–189 | Hope Gramly, McKendree | [32] | |
2023 Details |
South Point Hotel Enterprise, Nevada |
Vanderbilt | 4–3 | Arkansas State | 156–191, 171–189, 215–198, 159–196, 205–156, 193–187, 193–160 | Jennifer Loredo, Vanderbilt | [33] | |
2024 |
Thunderbowl Lanes Allen Park, Michigan[34] |
|||||||
2025 |
National Bowling Stadium Reno, Nevada[35] |
|||||||
2026 |
RollHouse Wickliffe Wickliffe, Ohio[36] |
Team titles
Team | # | Years |
---|---|---|
Nebraska | 6 | 2004, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2015, 2021 |
Maryland Eastern Shore | 3 | 2008, 2011, 2012 |
Vanderbilt | 2007, 2018, 2023 | |
Fairleigh Dickinson | 2 | 2006, 2010 |
McKendree | 2017, 2022 | |
Stephen F. Austin | 2016, 2019 | |
Sam Houston | 1 | 2014 |
Result by school and year
39 teams have appeared in the NCAA Tournament in at least one year starting with 2004. The results for all years are shown in this table below.[37]
Conference affiliations in the table reflect those in place for the 2023–24 school year.
The code in each cell represents the furthest the team made it in the respective tournament:
- CH National Champion
- RU National Runner-up
- T3 Semifinalists
- 3 , 4 (In 2004-06, there was one 8-team bracket, rather than two 4-team brackets, so there were distinct 3rd and 4th place teams.) (Beginning in 2021, there are four regionals, with the four regional winners advancing to the championship bracket, which is double-elimination, so there are distinct 3rd and 4th place teams.)
- T5 Tied for 5th place
- T7 Tied for 7th place
- • Played in opening round games but did not make it to final 8-team bracket. (Two teams in 2018, four in 2019.) Beginning in 2021, played in regionals, but did not make it to final 4-team championship bracket (Twelve teams.)
- 1 2 3 Was an independent through the 2014 championship, after which it joined the newly formed Southland Bowling League (SBL). After the 2023 championship, the SBL merged into Conference USA. Of the final eight SBL members, two were full C-USA members and the rest became C-USA associates.
- 1 2 Was an independent before the NEC began sponsoring bowling in the 2008–09 season.
- ↑ Was an independent for all of its NCAA Tournament appearances. It competed in its all-sports home of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) for all three seasons in which the MIAA sponsored bowling (2017–2019), but did not make the NCAA Tournament in any of them.
- 1 2 Was an independent before the formation of the SBL. Despite leaving the Southland Conference (a separate all-sports league closely related to the SBL) after the 2021 championship, for the Western Athletic Conference, it remained an SBL member until that league's absorption by C-USA.
- ↑ Was an independent before becoming a member of the NEC in 2009-2010. Left NEC after 2012-2013. Became a single-sport member of the AMCC in 2015–16.
- ↑ Was an independent in its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2016, and a bowling member of the MIAA when it qualified in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
- ↑ Program discontinued in 2023.
- ↑ Has been an independent throughout its bowling history except in the 2019–20 season, in which it was a member of the Central Intercollegiate Bowling Conference in that league's only season of existence.
- 1 2 Was a member of the Southland Bowling League when it qualified for the tournament in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
- ↑ Competed in the MEAC before joining the SWAC in July 2021. Program discontinued as of 2023.
- ↑ Program discontinued in 2011.
- ↑ Previously a member of NEC when they qualified in 2021 and 2022 before leaving that league in July 2022 for the non-bowling Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, with no bowling affiliation announced.
- ↑ Previously a member of ECC when they qualified in 2018.
- ↑ Program discontinued in 2014.
- ↑ Previously a member of NEC when they qualified in 2011.
- ↑ Previously a member of ECC when they qualified in 2019.
- ↑ Previously a member of ECC when they qualified in 2022.
NCAA Programs
A total of 101 teams[lower-alpha 1] competed in the 2022–23 season:
- 37 from Division I
- 39 from Division II
- 25 from Division III
- ↑ From the linked website, select "Women's Bowling" from the "Sport" menu, and the desired division from the "Division" menu.
Conferences
- Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (9 D-III schools)
- Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (6 D-II schools)
- The CACC started sponsoring bowling in 2022–23. It currently does not have enough bowling members to receive an automatic bid; even if it did, it would not be eligible until 2024–25.
- Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (8 D-II schools)
- College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (8 D-III schools)[38]
- The CCIW effectively absorbed the Central Intercollegiate Bowling Conference, a D-III league that had received official NCAA recognition in 2019–20.[39] Four of the six CIBC members were already full CCIW members. Assuming that at least seven of the eight inaugural bowling members continue to compete in the CCIW, it will receive its first automatic bid to the Championship in 2022–23.
- Conference Carolinas and Great Midwest Athletic Conference (7 D-II schools)
- Conference USA (9 D-I schools)
- The Southland Bowling League merged into C-USA after the 2022–23 season. Of the eight final SBL members, two were full C-USA members, namely Louisiana Tech, which has been a full C-USA member since 2013, and Sam Houston, which became a full member in July 2023. The other six SBL members became C-USA associates. These schools were joined by Jacksonville State, which also became a full member in July 2023 and added bowling at that time. C-USA inherited the SBL's automatic bid.[42]
- East Coast Conference (9 D-II and 1 D-I schools)
- Great Lakes Valley Conference (7 D-II schools)[Note 5]
- Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (9 D-I schools)
- Northeast Conference (8 D-I schools)
- Southwestern Athletic Conference (8 D-I schools)
See also
Notes
- ↑ Nebraska had to win two best-of-seven matchups against Central Missouri (who advanced to the finals after going undefeated in Friday's double elimination format) to win the first NCAA bowling title. Nebraska won the first match 4–2 (183–176, 168–200, 195–170, 212–212 (60–40), 168–203, 246–195) to force the winner-take-all match.
- ↑ Under the same double elimination format used in 2004, Nebraska went undefeated, winning three matches on Friday, meaning they only had to win once (out of a possible two best-of-seven matches) against Central Missouri to win the NCAA Bowling Championship. Nebraska needed only one best-of-seven match-up to win their second straight NCAA Bowling title.
- ↑ Fairleigh Dickinson (only team undefeated, 3-0 after Friday's double elimination matches) needed only one best-of-seven match (out of a possible two matches) to defeat Alabama A&M.
- ↑ The double elimination format was tweaked in 2007 and was last used in the 2019 championships. Under the previous double elimination format used from 2004–2006, the finalist with one loss had to defeat the undefeated finalist twice in best-of-seven matches to win the bowling championship. Beginning in 2007, two teams that win two best-of-seven matches advance to the semifinals. In the semifinals, the two undefeated teams would only need to win once out a possible two matches to advance to the final. In the 2007 championships, Vanderbilt and Maryland Eastern Shore won two matches to advance to the semifinals. Both teams only needed one match to advance to the best-of-seven finals match.
- ↑ The GLVC added women's bowling for 2019–20, effectively absorbing the former bowling league of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. Of the six schools that competed in MIAA bowling in 2018–19, five joined GLVC bowling. Lincoln (MO) dropped bowling after the 2019–20 season, but was immediately replaced by the new bowling team of full GLVC member Quincy. The GLVC is scheduled to receive an automatic bid to the Championship in 2021–22.
References
- ↑ "Huskers Punch Ticket to NCAA Regionals". University of Nebraska. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
- ↑ NCAA Bowling Championship Format
- ↑ "2018 NCAA Women's Bowling Championship Opening Round Match Information and Bid Checklist" (PDF). NCAA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-03-29. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
- ↑ "2019 NCAA Women's Bowling Championship Opening Round Match Information and Bid Checklist" (PDF). Retrieved 20 March 2019.
- ↑ "2018 NCAA women's bowling championship field announced". NCAA. March 28, 2018. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
- 1 2 3 "Memorandum: NCAA Bowling Season and Championship Information" (PDF). NCAA Women's Bowling Committee. September 9, 2019. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- ↑ "Nebraska wins 2021 NCAA Bowling Championship". NCAA.
- ↑ "National Collegiate women's bowling championship field announced". NCAA.
- ↑ "2023 NCAA bowling championship selections announced". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
- ↑ "Huskers Win NCAA Bowling Title" (Press release). University of Nebraska Athletics. April 10, 2004.
- ↑ "Huskers Repeat as National Champions" (Press release). April 16, 2005.
- ↑ http://www.netitor.com/photos/schoolslt/mdes/sports/w-bowl/auto_pdf/2005finalchampionshipbracket.pdf 2005 NCAA Bowling Bracket
- ↑ http://www.bowlingdigital.com/bowl/node/896 Fairleigh Dickinson Win 2006 NCAA Women’s Bowling Championship
- ↑ "Vanderbilt Bowlers Make History! Commodores Crowned as NCAA Champs" (Press release). Vanderbilt University Athletics. April 14, 2007. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
- ↑ 2007 NCAA Women's Bowling Bracket
- ↑ "National Champions!!!!!" (Press release). University of Maryland Eastern Shore Athletics. April 12, 2008.
- ↑ 2008 NCAA Women's Bowling Bracket
- ↑ "Huskers Capture NCAA Bowling Title" (Press release). University of Nebraska Athletics. April 12, 2009.
- ↑ "Fairleigh Dickinson Women's Bowling Wins National Championship" (Press release). Fairleigh Dickinson University Athletics. April 10, 2010.
- ↑ "National Champions!" (Press release). University of Maryland Eastern Shore Athletics. April 16, 2011. Archived from the original on July 13, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
- ↑ 2011 NCAA Women's Bowling Championship
- ↑ "Hawks Soar Higher; Win Back to Back NCAA Championships" (Press release). University of Maryland Eastern Shore Athletics. April 15, 2012. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
- ↑ "Huskers Capture Fourth National Title" (Press release). University of Nebraska Athletics. April 13, 2013.
- ↑ Spoor, Mark (April 13, 2014). "Bearkat beginnings" (Press release). NCAA.
- ↑ "Huskers Capture Fifth NCAA Title" (Press release). University of Nebraska Athletics. April 11, 2015.
- ↑ "NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! Ladyjacks Down Nebraska For Program's First NCAA Title" (Press release). Stephen F. Austin University Athletics. April 16, 2016.
- ↑ "NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! McKendree wins 2017 NCAA Women's Bowling Crown" (Press release). McKendree University Athletics. April 15, 2017.
- ↑ "Vanderbilt Bowling Upends McKendree for 2018 NCAA Championship". Southland Conference. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ↑ "Ladyjacks Claim School's Second Division I Team National Championship". Stephen F. Austin State University Athletics. Retrieved 2019-04-14.
- ↑ "National Champions". University of Nebraska. Retrieved 2021-04-11.
- ↑ "Women's Bowling Sweeps Stephen F. Austin, Claims 2022 NCAA National Championship". McKendree University Athletics. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
- ↑ "National Champions". Vanderbilt University Athletics - Official Athletics Website. 2023-04-15. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
- ↑ "Detroit Awarded 2024 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Regionals, Women's Bowling Championship". Oct 14, 2020.
- ↑ "Nevada selected to host two future NCAA championships". Oct 14, 2020.
- ↑ "Cleveland selected to host 2025 men's basketball, 2026 NCAA D1 wrestling & six other NCAA champs". Oct 14, 2020.
- ↑ "National Collegiate Women's Bowling Championships Record Book" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ↑ "CCIW Announces the Addition of Women's Bowling as Its 25th Sport; Three Programs Added as Associate Members" (Press release). College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. July 23, 2020. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
- ↑ "Marian women's bowling set to join Central Intercollegiate Bowling Conference" (Press release). Marian University Athletics. 2019-04-12. Retrieved 2019-04-14.
- ↑ "Conference Carolinas Unveils Addition of Tusculum as Associate Member in Men's and Women's Bowling" (Press release). Conference Carolinas. June 3, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
- ↑ "Great Midwest Collaborates With Conference Carolinas For 2021-22 Bowling Championships" (Press release). Great Midwest Athletic Conference. March 25, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
- ↑ "Conference USA to Add Bowling for 2023-24 Season" (Press release). Conference USA. May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
External links
- National Tenpin Coaches Association
- NCAA bowling
- NCAA Women's Bowling Championship Tournament Records
- U.S. Bowling Congress intercollegiate champions