HELSINGBORG, SWEDEN — The two United States’ mixed team entries qualified strong, but both fell short in match play and failed to advance to the medal round at the International Bowling Federation U21 World Championship on Tuesday.
USA No. 1, which included Vanderbilt’s Paige Peters and Victoria Varano along with two members of the USA boys’ team, finished the morning qualifying in a blaze and were second out of the 41 units with a 219.6 average over 10 games. Sweden’s mixed team was first at 225.1.
USA No. 2, consisting of Vandy’s Mabel Cummins and Ohioan Jillian Martin, were also impressive in qualifying as they were fourth with a 216.2 average.
Match play didn’t fare as well for the American teams. USA No. 1 went 4-3 over the seven games, one win shy of gaining a playoff opportunity, while USA No. 2 went 2-5.
Singapore, Sweden, Malaysia and Columbia are the four mixed teams that will battle for gold in the finals.
The tournament concludes Wednesday. Among the anticipated highlights for Team USA and Vanderbilt fans will be the finals for team play in which USA is assured of bringing home a medal and singles and where Varano is also guaranteed of medaling.