COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Falcon bowlers emerged from the nest and dusted off their wings at the season-opening Welcome Back Tournament, hosted by Muskingum University at the Columbus Square Bowling Palace. Notre Dame finished fifth in the women's varsity division, sixth in the men's varsity division, and third in the women's junior varsity division.

After averaging just 168 for the first four games of the nine-game tournament, junior Sarah Benedict caught fire and averaged 215 for her final five games, finishing third among 64 women and earning a berth on the women's varsity all-tournament team with a 194 overall average. Benedict's onslaught included a 224 score to open the second day of competition, leading the Falcons to a 955 total that was the highest in the women's field for Sunday's first two games. Sophomore Ryley Cecil and fifth-year senior Allyia Nicol were eleventh and twelfth, respectively, in the women's individual standings. The women's varsity division was won by Campbellsville University.
 

Freshman Aiden Compton blasted a 242 game on his way to finishing ninth in the 78-player men's field with a 202 average for the weekend. Sophomore Alex Etheredge was sixteenth. Muskingum University won the men's varsity division.

Junior Kayla Beckley and sophomore Olivia Brace were named to the women's junior varsity all-tournament team. The honor marked Beckley's sixth career all-tournament team appearance. The women's junior varsity division was topped by Muskingum University.

The Falcons will travel to Wisconsin for the Midwest Collegiate Championships on October 1 and 2.