The 2024 Kegel / ISBPA Midwest Collegiate Classic at Stardust Bowl in Addison, Illinois, was a great success, in spite of sub-zero temperatures and nearly 5 inches of snow that occupied the area and the roads leading to it. There were 67 teams who braved the snowstorm to compete in the 9th Collegiate Tier 1 event of the bowling season. Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Georgia, won the Women’s division, posting 8503, followed by Mount Mercy, 8441, St. Ambrose, 7974, Lindenwood, 7904 and Saint Xavier, 7897.

Results

The top honors in the Men’s Division were achieved by Mount Mercy, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who posted a 9460. They were followed by Lawrence Tech, 9270, St. Ambrose, 9184, UW Whitewater, 9045 and Savannah College of Art and Design, 8950.

In addition to the team champions, All-Tournament Teams were selected as well.

Women' All-Tournament Team
1. Grach Bringham, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Ga. - 1064
2. Laura Kurt, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Ga. - 1016
3. Brooke Binder, Concordia University, Ann Arbor, Mich. - 1013
4. Megan Kolberg, Mount Mercy, Cedar Rapids, lowa - 1011
5. Lexus Petrich, McKendree University, Fairview Heights, III - 984

Men's All-Tournament Team
1. Gunner Kruse - University of Northwestern, Lima Ohio - 1202
2. Andre Blaney - Mount Mercey, Cedar Rapids, lowa - 1138
3. Kai Yamada - Mount Mercey, Cedar Rapids, lowa - 1128
4. Tanner Ausec - University of Wisconsin - Whitewater, Wis. - 1107
5. Bob Habetler - Saint Xavier, Chicago, Ill. - 1105

Despite the weather conditions, the tournament ran on schedule and was thoroughly enjoyed by both the bowlers, parents and non-partisan spectators. Scholarships were earned and the all-important Tier 1 point increases were granted because the event was held.

New Tournament Manager Shawn Wochner and Shane Kern did a first-rate job in running the event and in making the decision to combine Sunday's schedule combining the two schedule squads on Sunday into one so that all teams would have the same opportunity to leave early given the sub-zero temperature. A special thank you is extended to the tournament sponsors and facilitators, Kegel, the Illinois State BPA and Stardust Bowl, for deciding to move ahead with the event, thus giving each school the right to make its own decision whether to attend or stay home. And of course, we want to extend a special thank you to veteran administrator Connie Coletta-Long, as well as to our new Tournament Coordinator, Tom Sims, for their tireless and dedicated efforts in working with the coaches, handling the registration and for providing the tournament administration for our 12th Kegel / ISBPA Midwest Collegiate Classic.

The tournament was not without controversy, as the brutal weather conditions prevented more than half of the schools from attending. While the tournament had instituted a strict no refund or credit cancellation clause after the January 5th deadlines, tournament officials, along with the host bowling center, Stardust Bowl, held a meeting post event and decided to issue the following credits that will be automatically applied to next year’s tournament registrations:

1. For the colleges who canceled after the January 5, 2024 deadline because of the weather forecast, 50% of the entry fee ($150) will be credited toward next year’s registration. Both Stardust Bowl and the Illinois State Bowling Proprietors’ Association will share proportionally in providing the credit.

2. As a show of great appreciation to those teams who braved the elements and attended the event, each will receive a $50 credit that will be applied to the 2025 tournament.

Obviously, there was a great deal of financial investment and planning that went into the operation to run such a sizeable event. But even so, we are happy to provide these credits because we appreciate and support collegiate bowling and wish to thank the coaches, bowlers and parents who attended this event, making it one of the largest Tier 1 events in the country. Lastly, we want to thank the hotels who allowed cancelations and early checkouts without penalty, something that was a pleasant surprise to the tournament officials and went beyond the obligations set forth in the agreements.