LANSING, Mich. - With a resounding strike, the Iowa Central women's bowling team laid claim to a second consecutive national championship here Friday.

Entering the day just off the lead, the Tritons made up ground quickly in the final team game before pushing their way to the top in Baker's. 

Iowa Central scored a 2,732 in the five-player team round while putting together scores of 550, 565 and 508 in Baker's for a total of 12,255. They finished over 100 pins ahead of runner-up Barton with Iowa Western in third. 

"We are always a strong team in Baker's and that was true again on Friday," Iowa Central head coach Gregg Haden said. "The women were able to come through in some big moments and really had a great day."

Korrissa Johnson led three Tritons in the overall Top-6, placing third with an individual score of 2,247. The all-events winner was Taylor Cessna from Barton with a 2,327.

"This feels so amazing," Johnson said. "I could not have had the success I've had at this tournament without my coaches and teammates. Going into the second day of the competition, we knew we were sitting in second so we had to grind hard and support each other to do our best so we could take home the title of national champions."

Madison Ross was right behind Johnson in fourth with a 2,235 while Allison Christenson finished sixth with a 2,208. 

Cassadey Lee was 34th overall, Leah Sanck finished 48th, Samantha Wangen was 55th, Olivia Nolte 58th and Hannah Waldren 60th. 

"It's really hard to repeat because you have every other team coming after you," Haden said. "The women handled it and shined. I'm so proud of them."

During the week, Christenson and Johnson tied for third in singles with Ross placing seventh. Johnson and Waldren earned third in doubles with Nolte and Sanck finishing fifth and the duo of Wangen and Lee seventh. 

"It feels great to be rewarded a title," Christenson said. "We have been working really hard for this moment. These girls are special and even though we didn't always get along at times, we set our problems aside and came together as a team. 

"Really, that's how memorable winning this title with these girls is."

Haden added his thanks to assistant coach Haley Hall, saying "I want to personally thank Haley for all she does. She works every bit as hard as I do to make things happen throughout our program and it does not go unnoticed with me."

Iowa Central comes next Friday in Dallas at the USBC Collegiate Sectionals.

-By Dana Becker