Steiner and Midland University enjoy bowling season

Published Date

LINCOLN, Neb. — Midland University's Joe Steiner finished as the nation's runner-up at the USBC Intercollegiate Singles Championships on April 21. Steiner beat out 22 of the nation's top 24 collegiate bowlers and came just one victory short of the national title. With the showing, Steiner ascends from the all-encompassing collegiate singles championship as the second best bowler in all of collegiate sports.

"Joe bowled an outstanding tournament just to get to the finals," said JJ Mastny, Midland University bowling head coach. "He made plenty of good shots, but the tournament champion was tough to beat shooting a 240. This was a great tournament for Joe; we're very proud of him."

Leading up to the Intercollegiate Singles Championships, Steiner carried a 206 average through 93 games. During the season, he also earned one tournament championship and two top-five finishes.

Steiner, a junior from North Conway., finished the elite single-elimination tournament with a 4-1 performance. After downing three opponents on Tuesday's opening day, Steiner entered Saturday's competition in the semifinal matchup versus Pikeville's Lucas Hohnstein. Steiner got out of the gates quick with four consecutive strikes in his semifinal against Hohnstein, but three consecutive splits for opens starting in the seventh frame tightened up the match. Steiner converted the 3-9 spare in the final frame and struck on the fill ball to shut out Hohnstein, 195-181, and advance to the championship match. Steiner was defeated by Wichita State's Geoffrey Young in the championship, 245-191, leaving the Warrior as the national runner-up. The semifinals and finals will be televised on CBS Sports on May 11 at 9:00 p.m.

Midland University men's bowling finished the 2011-12 season among the top teams in the nation. The Warriors ended the year as the top collegiate bowling team in Nebraska and well within the top-12 teams in the country.

"Our guys had several opportunities against Webber, and we couldn't cash one in," said Mastny. "I feel good about how we played, and we return almost everyone next year, so they'll make another run."

The Midland University men's bowling team found the top finish in just their second season of competition. The talented squad will return all but one graduating senior in the 2012-13 season.