Mustangs Win First Heart Championship; Earning All-Conference and Postseason Awards

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Mustang women's bowling team bounced back from last year's Heart tournament defeat, earning their first Heart of America conference championsip, while dominating the field in the all-conference teams and postseason awards.

In tournament play, the Mustangs would take care of Clarke in the first round to advance in the winners bracket, before taking on host Columbia in the winners bracket semifinals, advancing to the finals. It was then a matchup with Missouri Baptist, where the Mustangs swept their way to the championship match. The Spartans of Missouri Baptist would defeat Columbia in the losers bracket finals, setting up a rematch for the Heart tournament crown. The Spartans would take the first game, sending it to a winner-take-all championship, where the Mustangs would prevail in the last frame.

The team would also dominate the all-conference teams, as six Mustangs earned postseason honors. Savannah Dickson, Tori Franklin, and Nada Abdul Jalil all earned first team honors, while Emma Punter and Irdina Mat Aris earned second team honors. McKenzie Mattice rounded out the all-conference team with an honorable mention nod.

Dickson was named the Heart of America Bowler of the Year, while Franklin earned Heart Rookie of the Year. The final award went to head coach Andy Diercks, who was named the Heart of America Coach of the Year, as the Mustang coaching staff was honored with Coach of the Year honors on both the men's and women's sides.

The Mustangs will look to carry the success to the USBC ISC and ITC Sectionals, taking place on March 6.