The Iowa Central bowling team opened their season this past weekend at the Clarke Crusader Invitational hosted by Clarke University at Cherry Lanes in Dubuque.

After entering tournament-play as the No. 4 seed, the Triton men upset top-seed Mount Mercy in the semifinals and Clarke in finals to claim the tournament title. 

Iowa Central fired a team score of 6,219 in pool play led by Raymond Wiegand and Kamrin Chizek, who finished 10th and 11th overall. Wiegand had an 817 series and Chizek an 814 as Mount Mercy's Maxwell Roers was first with a 903.

Nathan Hansen was 18th, Dale Weaver 22nd and Aaron Lenzmeier finished 46th. 

In the championship matchplay, Iowa Central had games of 221 and 247 to sweep Mount Mercy and games of 221 and 198 to sweep Clarke. 

The Triton women were fourth overall with a team score of 5,435. All four-year programs finished ahead of Iowa Central in the team standings, including winner Mount Mercy. In pool play, the Tritons fell to eventual winner Mount Mercy.

Madison Ross placed 15th overall with a 698 series to lead the Tritons with teammate Samantha Wangen right behind in 16th with a 690. Hawkeye's Whittney Morse was the women's individual champion with an 856 series. 

Olivia Nolte finished 33rd, Allison Christenson was 41st and Cassie Lee 42nd overall for Iowa Central. 

-By Dana Becker