ALEXANDRIA, Minn. – Men's bowling captured its first tournament title in program history with a team win at the Big Ole Open on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 2-3. Wartburg was led by Simon Larsen, who took first overall in the tournament individually.
 
Top Performers
Simon Larsen – 1^st overall (Tournament Champion/All-Tournament Team), 224.4 average
Tyler Reeves – 8^th overall, 194.2 average
Jace Goedell – 9^th overall, 193.8 average
 
Coaches Comments
"What an incredible weekend for our Men's program, capturing the first ever win in Wartburg Bowling's existence," said head coach Alexis Neuer Runk following the big win. "We cannot express how proud we are of these athletes and all the work they have been putting into their games. It was a true team effort this weekend."

"The men trailed Coe College yet again by just 16 pins heading into Sunday, the past few tournaments they had outperformed us on Sunday," continued Runk. "We have really focused on the athletes understanding themselves and how they feel during high pressure situations. The men bowled at their level all day Sunday averaging a blistering 215 during baker on a fairly low scoring pattern, taking the lead during set two with a program record set of 946. They never looked back and won the qualifying portion of the event by 200 pins ahead of second. This guaranteed first place power ranking points which is what is important for post play competition."

"The Big Ole's format to determine the "champion" was a cut to the top two teams with a best of three baker format," explained Runk. "Our first-place qualifying gave us the option to choose our starting lane, being extremely valuable due to lane 17 playing much trickier than 18. Our men came out swinging defeating Coe game 1 214-157, then we swapped lanes and had a rough start only having 70 in the fifth and down 30 quickly in the match. An unforeseen error by Coe in the ninth gave our men a chance to step up in the ninth and tenth to strike out and take the victory. Simon Larsen (9^th) and Jace Goedel (10^th) stepped up confidently and delivered 4 clutch shots to take the win 193-185. There is so much more we could say but we are going to take the time to relish in this victory. But stay focused on our upcoming goals, and ready to see how far this team can go this season."