Milligan Men’s Bowling Dominates to Win Team Title at Greater Nashville Open

SMYRNA, Tenn. – On Saturday, the Milligan University men's bowling team opened its 2024-25 campaign at the Greater Nashville Open in Smyrna, Tenn. The Buffs were the victors of the event, while their JV squad also took their respective title

Four team games and eight baker games made up the single-day tournament format, with Milligan scoring a total of 4,254 pins in the team games and 1,768 in the baker games, both equaling tournament bests across the field of 18 programs. Their overall total of 6,022 was more than 400 pins higher than any other team.

David Gilliam finished tied for first among the individual standings, posting 941 pins across four team games. His highest score was 248 pins and he averaged 235.25 pins/game.

For Milligan JV1, Cameron Shockey bowled to an eight-place finish individually, posting a scoring average of 224for 896 pins. He bowled a 243 in game four to help bolster that average. Just behind him in ninth was Alex Evans, who knocked down 895 pins and had a 227 in his top performance. 

The 11th-place finish of Blake McReynolds (222.25 average) would help bolster Milligan JV1 in their eventual result of a JV title. Ethan Collier placed 20th and scored 208.5 pins on average, with Milligan JV2's Kayden Lamon averaging 202.75 as the final bowlers over a 200 average.

In baker play, Milligan's varsity had a 221-pin average with a high of 257 in their opening baker game. On the JV side, they averaged 203.75 per game and had a ridiculous high game of 289 in their fifth baker game. 

The Buffs are back in action tomorrow at the Smyrna Bowling Center for the Brandon Burns Memorial.