LANSING, Mich. - The Iowa Central bowling teams continued their strong showings on the big stage, as both the men and women placed second here Saturday at the conclusion of the NJCAA Championships.

Rock Valley swept the team titles, with the Tritons right behind. 

Iowa Central also had a pair of individuals finish second overall in Jacob Kraft and Abigail Price. Samantha Wangen, Derek Rucker and Mason Stokes also finished as All-Americans by placing in the overall Top-8. 

"Neither team should hang their heads because this is a group with a lot of grit and passion for the game," Iowa Central head coach Gregg Haden said. "I couldn't be more proud of these young men and women. They put their heart and soul on the alley these pas three days."

The Tritons were a distance second ahead of Erie along with ICCAC rivals Iowa Western and Hawkeye in the men's standings. Kraft finished with a score of 2,645 while Rucker was sixth at 2,471 and Stokes eighth with 2,455. 

Only Kraft and individual winner James Stewart of Rock Valley posted averages over 220 for the tournament. 

Braedon Gehrke was 14th overall and Dale Weaver 16th for Iowa Central. 

"The men were in a dual with Rock Valley all day," Haden said. "We took the lead a couple of times, but just couldn't hold them off."

In the women's team standings, the Tritons were well ahead of third place Jackson along with Hawkeye and Iowa Western. Price ended just behind all-event winner Tegan Peterson of Rock Valley and was 17 pins ahead of teammate Wangen. 

Olivia Nolte just missed All-American honors, placing ninth, while Madisyn Gerdts was 18th.

Iowa Central will now turn its attention to the USBC Sectionals, which begin in Dallas on Friday. 

-By Dana Becker

Photo courtesy NJCAA