JACKSON, MI – The Notre Dame College bowlers celebrated their Senior Day on February 8 with a pair of top-five finishes and two junior varsity championships in the Scotty Classic, hosted by Alma College. The competition was held at JAX 60 in Jackson.

Boosted by senior Clayton Eason's 245 game to open the tournament, the men's team placed fourth. Junior Dean Vargo was 16th among 161 competitors in the men's division with a 205 average on the challenging College Bowling Long No. 4 oil pattern.  He leads all Notre Dame bowlers with a season average of 201.9. Sophomore Cameron Gonce averaged 202 for the tournament, placing him 23rd overall. Freshman Romeo Patrick-Holmes contributed to the team effort with a 255 game, the highest Falcon score of the day. The men's varsity division was won by Bowling Green State University.

After a preliminary round of four team games followed by a final round of 16 Baker games, the Notre Dame women stood in fifth place for the second time this semester. The women's team continued their trend of finishing strong, as they blasted a 247 score in the last Baker game and senior Jessica Shufelt struck on her final six deliveries. The women's division was won by host Alma College.

Seniors Alisha Noon and Alexandria Dick were named to the All-Tournament Team. Noon averaged 206 to lead all Falcon bowlers and the 138 women competing in the event. It was her third consecutive All-Tournament Team. She also achieved the honor at the Midwest Collegiate Classic in January and the Warhawk Open in December. Noon's season average of 191 leads the Falcon women. Dick was third overall in the Scotty Classic's women's division with a 202 average. It was her second All-Tournament Team appearance of the season. She also earned the distinction at the Racers Classic in September. Senior Angela Gabriele's 236 was the team's highest individual score.

On a day when the graduating seniors were honored, a pair of championships in the junior varsity divisions gestured toward a bright future of continuing excellence for Notre Dame's bowling program. The JV men built a 266-pin lead in winning their second consecutive tournament. They also grabbed the honors in the Buckeye Baker Classic in January. Junior Dan Marriott and sophomore Waldell Ray were named to the All-Tournament Team. Marriott led all junior varsity bowlers and placed 17th overall with a 205 average, highlighted by an opening score of 247.

While winning their third junior varsity championship of the season, the women's team claimed four of the five spots on the women's JV All-Tournament Team.  Sophomore Meghan Stehle and juniors Meghan Ritzinger, Lauren Alexander and Haley Groat each accomplished the feat. Ritzinger was second in the women's junior varsity division and 30th overall with a 180 average. Stehle's 179 average placed her 34th overall and 3rd among the JV women. Her 202 was the team's highest individual score of the day.  The squad also rolled a 211 Baker game.

On the evening before the tournament, bowlers and family members gathered for a ceremonial dinner to honor graduating seniors Gabriella Calderon, Dick, Eason, Gabriele, Angela Gale, Noon and Shufelt.  Thus far, the seven bowlers have helped bring Notre Dame ten tournament championships and 70 top five finishes, and they have made 18 All-Tournament Teams.

The teams will close out the regular season with a trip to Indianapolis, Ind. for the Columbia 300 Hoosier Classic. The event will take place on February 15 and 16.