The Louisiana Tech bowling team finished the 2023-24 season ranked eighth in the final National Tenpin Coaches Association Poll released by the organization on Thursday.
The Bulldogs finished with 83 wins during the regular season, marking the most wins in a single season in program history.
“First off, we had the most successful season ever in Louisiana Tech Bowling,” head coach Matt Nantais said. With an 83-33 regular season record, that is the best record since the program started. We had our third Rookie of the Year, and four of the seven athletes made All-American honors. You could argue that number could have been higher. We also have the only five-time All-American (Allie Leiendecker) on our team.”
LA Tech won three of their five events in the fall. The Bulldogs captured the SWIBC I and II titles as well at the Track Kat Klash. They would finish second at the Colonial Lanes Classic and fourth at the Hawk Classic.
“We had some adversity with an athlete leaving after the first quarter after we had won three of four events,” said Nantais. “It did disrupt things a little, but this team is resilient and got it back together quickly. They bonded together and put their trust in each other. I am proud of every one of these ladies. We will lose three amazing athletes who set a standard for our team that will continue to live on. They welcomed every member who joined the team and treated them all as family. When you hear someone say the Tech family, that is a real thing.”
Tech came back in the second half with five more top-five finishes. The Bulldogs claimed the USBC ITC Sectional title for their fourth tournament title of the season. They would finish third at the Columbia 300 Saints Invite, fourth at the CUSA Championship, and fifth at the Prairie View A&M Invitational and Columbia 300 Music City Classic.
The Bulldogs fell in the NCAA Regional Championship and the sixth round of the USBC ITC Nationals.
“Even though we didn’t win the national championship, I can say I am so proud of this team,” Nantais said. “They stayed humble and always did the right thing even when it was hard. They are a true definition of what a team is, and I wish every athlete has a chance to experience competing at the level they have.”
“We have already started to prepare for next season, and we are looking to continue the traditions we have created here at Tech.”
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