PITTSBURGH, Pa.—The William Smith bowling team is the 2024 Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Champion. The Herons also earned the AMCC's automatic bid to the NCAA Bowling National Championship.
 
The second-seeded Herons advanced to today's championship series with mega match victories over third-seeded Alvernia and top-seeded Saint Vincent. William Smith was supposed to have a rematch with the Wolves today to decide the championship. However, Alvernia only had the minimum five bowlers this weekend and one athlete became ill overnight. Without a full lineup, the Wolves had to forfeit.

Junior Michaela Morgan and sophomore Caitlyn Anschutz represented William Smith on the AMCC All-Tournament Team.
 
"I am so very proud of what the team accomplished this season and for how they showed up this weekend in high pressure situations," says Heron Head Coach Heather Sterner. "We are heartbroken for Alvernia and truly wanted the chance to bowl them again this morning. We hope their player recovers quickly and plan to represent the conference the best we can for them as well. We look forward to competing against them again next season and to want to commend them on an incredible first season."
 
The NCAA championship—there is only one championship for all three divisions—will feature an 18-team double-elimination tournament. Automatic qualification is given to 10 conference champions, while eight other teams will be selected with at-large bids. Vanderbilt is the defending national champion.
 
The 18 teams will be split into four regions — two sites with four teams each, two sites with five teams each. Regionals will take place from Thursday, April 4, to Saturday, April 6. The four regional winners will advance to the championship finals at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park, Michigan, from Friday, April 12, to Saturday, April 13. Each match will consist of a best-of-three format.
 
William Smith bowling is in its second varsity season. The Herons are 49-21 this season after going 4-28 last year.