DAVENPORT, Iowa – The McKendree University men's bowling team posted a sixth place finish out of 45 teams at this past weekend's 22nd-Annual Leatherneck Classic held here at Big River Bowl.
 
At the two-day event, the Bearcats recorded a pinfall total of 9,557 as they tallied 6.446 in six traditional games and had a pinfall total of 3,111 in their 16 Baker games.

Leading the way individually for the Bearcats was freshman Ethan Gomez (League City, Texas/Clear Falls), who finished eighth overall in the 426-bowler field as he recorded a six-game total of 1,350 and averaged 225 per game. He had 200 or better in five of six games, including a high of 265 in the third game.

In addition to Gomez, junior Nicholas Blagojevic (Belleville, Ontario) also finished in the Top 25 individually as he recorded a 23rd place finish after tallying a pinfall of 1,295 and averaged 215.8 per game. Blagojevic bowled 200 or better in four games, including a high of 237 in the fifth game.

The only other Bearcat bowler to play in all six traditional games was senior Jorge Rodriguez (Yauco, P.R./Lincoln Memorial) as he tallied a total pinfall of 1,267 to finish in 34th place. Rodriguez, who averaged 211.2 per game, had three games of 200 or better, including a high of 253 in the second game.

Following Baker play, the Bearcats earned a No. 6 seed and faced No. 3 seeded Wisconsin-Whitewater in the quarterfinal round. The Bearcats would fall to Whitewater in two games (212-191 and 222-189).

Indiana Tech, who was the No. 5 seed in Bracket play, won the tournament title with a 2-1 win in the championship match of bracket game over No. 2 seeded Wichita State. St. Ambrose was the No. 1 seed in bracket play after recording a combined 10,077 pins in both traditional play and Baker games.

McKendree will return to the lane this weekend (Nov. 19-20) as they compete at the McKendree Match Games held at the St. Clair Bowl in Fairview Heights, Ill.