Tremendous day-long performances from sophomores Hannah Forton (Macomb, Mich./Dakota) and Payton Bertermann (Grayslake, Ill./North) led the #RV Valparaiso University bowling team on Saturday in the second day of action at the Mid-Winter Classic in Jonesboro, Ark.

Valpo picked up three victories on Saturday in the middle day of competition, moving up four spots in the team standings. Meanwhile, Forton earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team and both Forton and Bertermann surpassed 200 in all of their games on Saturday.

How It Happened

• Valpo opened the day, contested in the traditional team format, against #5 Sam Houston State and dropped a narrow 964-940 decision. Despite the loss, sophomore Sam Perez (Aurora, Ill./Oswego East) set a new career best with a 232 game, while Forton rolled a 210.
• Valpo picked up its first win of Saturday in its next contest, taking down #24 Central Missouri, 962-909. Forton rolled a 225 and was matched by junior Morgan Peacha (Henderson, Nev./Foothill), who set a new collegiate best. Bertermann posted a 203 in her first match of the day as well.
• Valpo made it back-to-back victories with a 957-928 win over #14 Louisiana Tech in its next contest. Bertermann set her career high with a 234 in the win over the Lady Techsters, while Forton posted a score of 203.
• For the first time all day, Valpo didn’t have a bowler set a career best in its fourth match of the day, but still came out 943-889 victors over #RV Jackson State – led by a 205 from Bertermann and a 204 from Forton.
• Bertermann saved the best for last, breaking the career high she had set just two matches prior and rolling Valpo’s best game of the day in the finale with a 255, but it wouldn’t be enough, as Valpo fell to #22 Maryville by a 1005-944 final to close Saturday’s action. Forton capped a day where she broke 200 in all five games with a final game of 213.
• Forton earned her spot on the All-Tournament Team with a 211 average on Saturday over Valpo’s five matches. Meanwhile, Bertermann actually registered the tournament field’s second-best average of anybody who bowled at least two matches with a 224.3, but since she did not bowl all five matches, was not eligible for the All-Tournament Team.
• Valpo ended the day in 11th place, jumping four spots in the team standings as the Crusaders tallied 9,150 pins through the first two days of action.

Next Up

Valpo (26-34) closes out action at the Mid-Winter Classic with bracket play on Sunday morning.