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Sports

Lemont Graduate Excels at NCAA National Bowling Tournament

Jenny Petzoldt, a senior at Lindenwood University, placed second in the national tournament and helped her team finished as runner-ups.

Lemont High School graduate Jenny Petzoldt has made her mark on the NCAA College bowling world.

Petzoldt, a senior graphic design student for Lindenwood University, was the runner-up MVP of the tournament and a big reason why her team finished second.

“We had a lot of fun,” she said of the tournament, which will air on ESPN 2 at 1 p.m. May 15. “It will be interesting because we huddled in between each shot and none of us saw how Maryland bowled, so it will be kind of funny seeing it on ESPN 2.”

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The tournament was in Columbus, Ga. And was held April 20-23. After an awards banquet in which Petzoldt received All-American honorable mention, her team prepared to bowl.

April 21 had a qualifying system with 32 baker games, in which teams of five bowlers go two frames in a 10-frame game. Lindenwood was then seeded No. 11.

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“We really struggled and couldn’t figure out where to play,” Petzoldt said. “We ended up having a good group talk with our team and the (Lindenwood) men, because they were seeded No. 1 and told us where they would play.”

On Friday, Lindenwood beat Florida State 4-0 and advanced to face No. 1 Wichita State, the top team in the country. Petzoldt’s squad fell behind 3-1, but it pulled off three consecutive wins to upset Wichita. 

“I was doing a lot of clutch work,” Petzoldt said. “I struck a lot and that was the big thing that helped. Against Wichita in the sixth game, I needed a double for us to win the game and I did. I just focused on trying to throw a good shot and hitting my mark. I also got a 10 pin for a spare to finish Wichita.

During the quarterfinals, McKendree University got Lindenwood down 3-1, but the Lady Lions won 4-3 and known as the comeback kids. On Saturday morning, Lindenwood defeated Adelphi University but fell to Maryland Eastern Shore 2-1 in the championship round.

Petzoldt’s brother Joey, a freshman communications major, also was on the men’s bowling team and helped his sister have a good senior year.

“During the whole year, me and my sister got closer than we already were,” Joey Petzoldt said. “If one of us were struggling, the other would watch and say what was wrong and how to fix it. My sister did a great job.”

Joey said Jenny was a big reason why he decided to attend Lindenwood.

“She was a big reason to come here because I look up to her,” Joey said. “To me, she is a big role model. I love my sister to death and would do anything for her. I’m glad I came here because she has really helped me out.”

He could not go to the tournament, but he said he was holding on to every text message his mom Pat was sending him.

Jenny said bowling is a big part of her life and loves the sport’s uniqueness and competitive atmosphere.

 “In football, the field never changes and stays the same,” Petzoldt said. “In bowling, we have an invisible playing field with the different sport patterns. I have to constantly think about how to change my ball or change my feet. It’s a mind over matter game.”

Following Petzoldt’s graduation, she will be looking for work in the area and continue competitive bowling. She qualified for Intercollegiate Singles Tournament and the Women’s Open summer tournaments.

“It’s been a great experience, and I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Petzoldt said. “I am really glad that I went to Lindenwood. I definitely owe thanks to my parents. If it wasn’t for them supporting me, I wouldn’t be where I’m at.”

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