The Crimson Storm Men’s Team was back in SWIBC Conference action at Cityview Lanes in Ft. Worth, Texas November 9th and 10th. This was SWIBC III and IV for the Crimson Storm and last season the SNU Men’s Team earned the title on both days. 2024 was a different team, a different environment and a different result compared to 2023.
During the SWIBC III event on Saturday, the SNU Men’s Team was led by Arkansas Junior, Landen Hodge, who averaged 221.5 during the four games of individual team play and earned All
Tournament Team honors as the number two player in the field during individual team play. “The pattern for the day was right in Landen’s wheel house,” said Coach Jeffreys. “Anytime Landen can make the move left on a longer pattern he’s going to be dialed in and he put on a clinic on moving left on Saturday. It was great to see Landen perform well on Saturday.”
After four games of individual team play, the Crimson Storm was in the lead of the 10 universities at SWIBC III. The SNU Men’s Team averaged 208 per player and 1,040 as a team to edge out UTSA by 217 pins after four games of individual play. Next up was 10 games of Baker play and the Crimson Storm averaged 195.7 for the 10 Baker games and earned the 4th title for the SNU Men’s Team and holding off a rally by UTSA by 113 pins. “This was a great team effort,” said Coach Jeffreys. “Not knowing what lane pattern is in play is a challenge. We have worked hard in practice on our read and react situations on numerous lane patterns. It’s a matter of discovering the zone and attacking the zone once identified on the lane pattern and we did a good job today making moves early, midway and into Baker play.”
Tobias Hurte continues being one of the top leadoff players in the region averaging 214.5 during individual play while Ohio freshman, Myles Etherington, came off the bench to average 222.3 during three games of individual play. “Myles has been working hard on his game and this lane pattern played right into a confidence zone for his game,” said Coach Jeffreys. The college game is so different and Myles is getting comfortable with the college game.”
On to SWIBC IV……
After a solid performance on Saturday, the Crimson Storm went into SWIBC IV with confidence to win back to back events. The tale of SWIBC IV was a different story than Saturday.
A different lane pattern was in play for SWIBC IV and the SNU Men’s team struggled during the six games of individual play to determine who would earn the SWIBC IV title. “We did not execute the correct plan of attack for the lane pattern in play,” said Coach Jeffreys.
“This one again is on me. There are very visible and historic characteristics about Cityview Lanes’ lane panels and I did not do a great job of communication with the team toward the historical data for the down and in gutter pattern at Cityview. It’s simple, you can’t play the lanes in your comfort zone when the lanes are telling you to move and play out. I should have realized the gutter was in play quicker on a shorter oil pattern and I did not make good decisions on communication with specific players during the event. This team has some talented players that can play out and some players are challenged playing the edge of the lane. We will continue to work on playing out and down and in during practice. Honestly, I feel horrible about our performance at SWIBC IV because I know it’s not a reflection of how much talent is on this team. We have to become more versatile as a team.”
The Crimson Storm struggled on the gutter lane pattern and averaged 941, 188.23 per player for six games. SNU never broke the Mendoza Line of 1,000 during the six games. “We did not score well and we know why,” said Coach Jeffreys. “Struggling on a pattern is going to happen and through experience we will get better. But going into game six, our spare percentage after five games was barely over 60%. You are not going to win any events shooting spares at 60%. Over the past two weeks, we have shot at over 2,000 spares during practice and to be in the 60’s at any event is disappointing. Obviously we will continue to work on a spare game every day in practice and continue to improve the mental and confidence element of spare shooting.”
The Crimson Storm Men’s Team finished third behind UTSA and event Champion, Drury University. The highlight of SWIBC IV for SNU was Team Two players, Nebraska freshman, Landon McConnell and Colorado freshman, Louie Pisano who earned All Tournament Team honors during the six games of individual team play. Pisano averaged 207 while McConnell averaged 206. This was the first ATT honors for both players. “Landon has worked so hard to improve his game,” said Coach Jeffreys. “I knew when I watched Landon over a year ago that he was going to be a really good college player. When you have his rev rate, ball speed and you're left handed, you have an opportunity to be a great college player. We are watching Landon progress toward becoming a great college player every practice and every event. A big thank you to James Cantere who has been working with the lefty and James has been instrumental in Landon's improvement.” McConnell’s day was highlighted by his game five performance shooting 277 and earning the high game of the event.
Pisano continues to learn the college game through game experience. The Colorado freshman averaged 207 and matched up well on the gutter pattern early averaging 226 the first three games. “This kid is battling adversity and stepping up his game,” said Coach Jeffreys. “Louie continues to learn more about the college game every event. Playing patterns that require down and in ball motion is where Louie excels. It was great to see Louie perform at the level of his game.”
Sienna Stoner had her best event of the season finishing in the Top 15 of individual Men’s players averaging 192. It should be noted, as stated in previous stories, some of the SNU Women’s Team members are participating with the Team #2 Men’s Team as a Co-Ed Team due to the injuries on the SNU Women’s Team. At SWIBC IV, Stoner was the highest averaging Women’s player in the field. The Washington sophomore continues to improve her game through the experience of bowling this season with the Men’s Team. “Sienna is such a talented player and with the Women’s Team players we have signed for 2025, next season is going to be really good for the Women’s Team,” said Coach Jeffreys. “The dedication Sienna has showed this season is off the charts and we are so fortunate to have Sienna be a part of this program.”
Next up for the Crimson Storm, a Tier I event in Fairview Heights, Illinois. Stay tuned for more coverage of the 2024-2025 Crimson Storm Bowling Season.
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