McKendree wins men's title at 2016 ITC
June 04, 2016
WICHITA, Kan. - The McKendree men came back from the brink of elimination to claim the 2016 Intercollegiate Team Championships.
McKendree defeated William Paterson, 3-2, in the best-of-five title match to capture the program's first Helmer Cup. The finals aired nationally on CBS Sports Network on Saturday.
William Paterson jumped out to an early 2-0 lead and found itself one game away from earning the school's second national title, and first since 1992. But, McKendree seized the momentum in the third and fourth games, capturing 213-152 and 225-190 victories, respectively.
"Being down 0-2 was no different than what we experienced during the entire tournament," said senior Riley Smith, who was a member of the 2013 ITC runner-up team. "In match play, you're going to win games, and you're going to lose games, but it just matters when it is. We happened to lose the first two games, but we win the next three. We happened to lose the first two against Webber (in the semifinals), but that's OK, we can win games, too. That's the mindset we have, and we understand that."
In Game 5, McKendree held a 24-pin lead after five frames, before William Paterson threw three consecutive strikes in frames six, seven and eight. The Bearcats countered with four strikes of their own before an open in the ninth frame gave the Pioneers a slim chance at victory.
William Paterson sophomore Jake Rollins needed to strike out in the 10th frame to force McKendree to strike or spare in the final frame to claim the title. Rollins left a 2 pin on the first offering, which he spared and followed with a strike on the fill shot. McKendree needed just nine pins in the 10th frame from sophomore Greg Young to secure the program's first national championship, and Young delivered a strike to record the win, 200-188.
"This means everything," said head coach Dennis Knepper, who is in his eighth season at the helm. "They were getting up and going to workouts at 6 a.m., having practice until 6 p.m. and keeping their grades up. They committed to what we were looking for. This is a great group of kids. Plus, it's been a blessing having Bryan and Shannon (O'Keefe) onboard because they want the same thing I want."
The McKendree team featured Smith, Young, Shawn Bibee, Billy Goodman, Alex Martin, Ryan Mooney, Ryan Patterson and James Stanley.
William Paterson's Rollins was named the tournament's most valuable player.
Joining Rollins on the men's all-tournament team were McKendree's Smith and Young, AJ Chapman of Wichita State and Nick Pate of Midland.
2016 INTERCOLLEGIATE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Northrock Lanes, Wichita, Kan.
MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP
McKendree def. William Paterson, 3-2 (138-223, 181-202, 213-152, 225-190, 200-188)
McKendree defeated William Paterson, 3-2, in the best-of-five title match to capture the program's first Helmer Cup. The finals aired nationally on CBS Sports Network on Saturday.
William Paterson jumped out to an early 2-0 lead and found itself one game away from earning the school's second national title, and first since 1992. But, McKendree seized the momentum in the third and fourth games, capturing 213-152 and 225-190 victories, respectively.
"Being down 0-2 was no different than what we experienced during the entire tournament," said senior Riley Smith, who was a member of the 2013 ITC runner-up team. "In match play, you're going to win games, and you're going to lose games, but it just matters when it is. We happened to lose the first two games, but we win the next three. We happened to lose the first two against Webber (in the semifinals), but that's OK, we can win games, too. That's the mindset we have, and we understand that."
In Game 5, McKendree held a 24-pin lead after five frames, before William Paterson threw three consecutive strikes in frames six, seven and eight. The Bearcats countered with four strikes of their own before an open in the ninth frame gave the Pioneers a slim chance at victory.
William Paterson sophomore Jake Rollins needed to strike out in the 10th frame to force McKendree to strike or spare in the final frame to claim the title. Rollins left a 2 pin on the first offering, which he spared and followed with a strike on the fill shot. McKendree needed just nine pins in the 10th frame from sophomore Greg Young to secure the program's first national championship, and Young delivered a strike to record the win, 200-188.
"This means everything," said head coach Dennis Knepper, who is in his eighth season at the helm. "They were getting up and going to workouts at 6 a.m., having practice until 6 p.m. and keeping their grades up. They committed to what we were looking for. This is a great group of kids. Plus, it's been a blessing having Bryan and Shannon (O'Keefe) onboard because they want the same thing I want."
The McKendree team featured Smith, Young, Shawn Bibee, Billy Goodman, Alex Martin, Ryan Mooney, Ryan Patterson and James Stanley.
William Paterson's Rollins was named the tournament's most valuable player.
Joining Rollins on the men's all-tournament team were McKendree's Smith and Young, AJ Chapman of Wichita State and Nick Pate of Midland.
2016 INTERCOLLEGIATE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Northrock Lanes, Wichita, Kan.
MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP
McKendree def. William Paterson, 3-2 (138-223, 181-202, 213-152, 225-190, 200-188)