Men’s Bowling places sixth at Tier 1 Bowlero Southern Collegiate Classic

MARIETTA, Ga. (November 5, 2023) – The Milligan University men's bowling team posted its best-ever finish at the Tier 1 tournament as the Buffs placed sixth of 29 teams at the Bowlero Southern Classic over the weekend.

Milligan totaled 6,125 pins across six team games, less than 200 pins behind tournament leader Emmanuel (6,319 pins). The Buffs finished with 10,055 pins after the baker games to finish seventh overall and one of eight teams to break 10,000 pins.

"We started off consistent, with a wave of positive energy from our last tournament," said assistant coach Jeff Herman. "They guys topped 1,000 in four out of the six traditional games led by Nate, Bryant and Alex. If we can just get one or two of the other five games going at the same time, we'll be unstoppable. Even so, we hung around third-to-fifth all day in a tough field."

Bryant Griffith collected all-tournament honors with a runner-up individual finish. He totaled 1,385 pins (230.8) with all six games exceeding 200 pins and a high of 257.

"Bryant just had the look from game one to game six," said Herman. "Again, it shows how deep we are when last week Bryant didn't bowl at all in the traditional games but can come out and dominate like this."

Alex Evans finished 13th with 1,270 pins (211.7 average) with a high of 254. Aiden Bailey paced Milligan's junior varsity squad with a 17th-place finish. Bailey knocked down 1,258 pins (209.7 average) with games of 247 and 246.

"It's like a broken record to keep saying how deep we are but when your JV players keep finishing in the top in the top 20 of the tournament like Aiden this week," said Herman. "It's going to keep being said. So proud of Aiden and all the hard work he's put in over the last year!"

Nate Trentler made it four Buffs who averaged over 200 pins across six games as he cleared 1,209 pins (201.5 average) with a high game to finish 31st.

Tristan Crawford, Cooper Brackins, Jameson Whaley and Cameron Shockey each rolled two 200-plus games each in individual games.

Milligan's JV finished second in the seven-team standings with 5,725 pins, which would have placed 13th in the varsity standings.

The Buffs return to action with a pair of Tier 1 tournaments in December at the Roto Grip Keystone Quacker Classic (Dec. 18-19) and the Lehigh Valley Collegiate Classic (Dec. 20-21).