ADDISON, Ill. - For the first time in program history, the Carthage Firebirds women's bowling team clinched at least a share of the CCIW regular season championship. Carthage went 12-2 in conference events this season, including an outstanding 6-1 performance this weekend at the CCIW #2, to make program history.

Winners of 14 out of its last 16 matches (traditional or baker), the Firebirds are riding high heading into the team's first-ever appearance in the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Intercollegiate Team Sectionals - set to take place this upcoming weekend in Addison, Illinois. 



 

• Result: First of eight. 
• Location: Hosted by Elmhurst University - Addison, Ill.  

 

1. No. 14 Carthage - 5,964
2. No. 10 Marian (Wis.) - 5,950
3. North Central (Ill.) - 5,661
4. Augustana (Ill.) - 5,791
5. Aurora - 5,736
6. Elmhurst - 5,419
7. Carroll (Wis.) - 5,231
8. Illinois Wesleyan - 4,699

  
Day One:

• The Firebirds were dominant on day one of competition, which consisted of a quartet of traditional matches. Carthage went 4-0, leading the conference in total pinfall. The team was led by excellent bowling from Caitlin Powers (fourth, 740 pins), Marianna Hristakos (fifth, 736 pins), and Cassie Hyland (12th, 654 pins). Marian (Wis.) also went undefeated on day one, leaving the two teams neck-and-neck in the tournament standings heading into day two. 
• Following day one's 4-0 record, the Firebirds had won ten matches in a row - spanning the length of two tournaments. 

Day Two: 

• Day two consisted of three baker matches, with Carthage first pitted against the two-time defending conference champions and No. 10 nationally-ranked Marian Sabres. The Firebirds took down Marian 851-823, giving them a 3-2 head-to-head record against the Sabres this season. Cassie Hyland (187) and Jessica Rosa (181) helped Carthage secure the crucial victory. 
• Augustana (Ill.) defeated Carthage in its second match of the day, winning 879-812. Cassie Hyland (197) and Marissa Robinson (181) led the Firebirds against the Vikings. 
• Grabbing its 12th conference win of the season to clinch a share of the regular season title, the Firebirds took down Illinois Wesleyan in convincing fashion, winning 879-703. The win was the Firebirds' 14th victory in their last 16 matches. Marianna Hristakos put up the team's second-highest pinfall in any of the three baker matches, knocking down 190 pins against the Titans. 

 

• After four traditional matches on day one, Caitlin Powers led the way for the Firebirds, erasing 740 pins (185.0 average) to place fourth individually. Marianna Hristakos was also exceptional on day one, finishing just behind Powers (fifth); the junior from Mokena, Illinois knocked down 736 pins. 
• Cassie Hyland continued to perform well, sitting in 12th after day one after hitting over 654 pins. Hyland also generated an average pinfall of 185 in three baker matches on day two. 

 

• Carthage women's bowling will participate in the USBC Intercollegiate Team Sectionals for the first time in program history, heading to Addison, Illinois' Stardust Bowl from Friday, March 10 through Sunday, March 12. Each day of bowling will begin at 8 a.m.