Swiderski, Heimerman lead Warriors to second in Stout State Open

LA CROSSE, Wisconsin – Opening the season with a strong performance, the Waldorf University men’s bowling team earned a second-place finish during this weekend’s Stout State Open.

The Warriors recorded an 8,628 team total through 45 games to finish with a 191.73 average in the two-day tournament, which concluded on Sunday. They qualified second for match play where they fell short to Morningside College in a five-game battle during the championship round.

“It was a very exciting tournament,” Waldorf coach Joe Squires said.

Kyle Swiderski and Nicholas Heimerman landed all-tournament team honors while leading the Warriors.

Swiderski locked up third with a 1,809-pin total as the sophomore from Minneapolis rolled a 201 average through nine games.

Heimerman claimed fifth with a 1,780 score. The senior from Faribault, Minnesota averaged 197.78 in the tournament.

Waldorf sophomore Damon Helgevold secured 13th, providing a 1,679 and a 186.56 average. Junior Michael Templin earned 24th with a 1,508-pin total while averaging 188.50 in eight games. Sophomore Roger Harford took 26th, knocking down 1,483 pins in eight games for a 185.38 average.

The Warriors also received contributions from sophomores Tyler Doss and Tanner Schmitz in the tournament.

Morningside posted a team score of 8,659 pins to top the team standings while Waldorf (8,628), Iowa State University (8,578) and Minnesota State University (8,300) also qualified for match play to round of the top four of the 10-team tournament.

Iowa State’s Jacob Gosse won the individual title, delivering a 1,882 score for a 209.11 average, defeating Minnesota State’s Will Mateffy by 49 pins.

Minnesota State topped Iowa State 398-350 in a best-of-three games series to advance to the semifinal round of match play against Waldorf. The Mavericks took the opening game by 13 pins, but the Warriors surged to victory in the final two games to win the match 562-514.

“We battled Minnesota State, which last year beat us in the match play finals for the Viterbo V-Hawk Invitational championship,” Squires said. “The win really boosted our confidence going into the final round.”

In the first two games of the championship match, Waldorf defeated Morningside by a combined 19 pins.

“We came out strong and won the first two games,” Squires said. “Both wins came down to the 10th frame, which is a very narrow margin.”

The Mustangs notched a 204-161 win in the third game and tied the match, winning 205-165 in the following game.

“The third game we struggled, and the fourth game they capitalized on a few great breaks to string some strikes together and get the lead,” Squires said.

Morningside captured the tournament title, picking up a 225-181 victory in the final game to win the match 1,020-912.

“Our last game was a struggle as we made great shots, but the pins just didn’t fall for us,” Squires said. “Morningside also executed their spares better than we did, especially in the last game.”

The Warriors return to action in next weekend’s Five Seasons Classic at Cedar Rapids, beginning the two-day tournament on Saturday.