ROCKFORD - The Carthage women's bowling team traveled to Rockford, Illinois, for the Warhawk Classic at The Cherry Bowl to start the 2024-25 season.
Day 1: Baker Matches
The Firebirds opened the tournament with five Baker matches, where total pinfall determined the winner. In a close first match against the University of Indianapolis, Carthage narrowly lost 773-761. The second match saw the team battle host UW-Whitewater but fall short 930-880. Matches against Aurora University (791-740) and Carroll (Wis.) (818-801) were both competitive, with Carthage pushing their opponents to the final game. The day concluded with a challenging match against eventual tournament champion University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where the Firebirds were defeated 906-732. Despite the losses, three matches came down to the last game, showcasing the team's determination.
Day 2: Traditional Matches
The second day featured traditional matches, where five bowlers' scores combined for a team total. Carthage struggled in the opening matches, falling to Elmhurst University (744-696) and Marian University (813-749). However, the Firebirds secured their first win of the season in a hard-fought match against the University of Indianapolis, winning 784-768. The team went on to lose to UW-Whitewater 943-866 but finished strong with a dramatic victory over Aurora University, 801-770, thanks to senior
Jessica Rosa's clutch strikes in the tenth frame. Rosa also led the team with a 179 average, missing an all-tournament selection by just 59 pins.
Day 3: Best of 7 Baker Matchplay
The final day of competition saw the Firebirds face Aurora University in the opening match, where they were defeated 907-730. In their second match, Carthage pushed UMES to seven games but ultimately lost 1313-1145, marking a standout performance as no other team took UMES beyond five games. The Firebirds' weekend concluded with a close loss to Carroll College, 1011-918, after battling until the final game.
The Firebirds are back on the lanes for the Titan Invite which starts November 2 in Appleton, Wis.
