With help from their key players in the final frame, the Lindenwood women and Saginaw Valley State men (pictured) claimed national championships Saturday at the 2006 United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Team Championships. Both teams swept their opponents in the best-of-three Baker games championship match.

The foundation was laid a little more than four years ago. That's when Fairleigh Dickinson head coach Mike LoPresti tabbed Lisa Friscioni and Kristina Szalay as his first two women's bowling recruits. As the seniors' college bowling careers came to a close Saturday, they walked out of Emerald Bowl with the ability to say they helped build a national champion from scratch. Friscioni, the tournament's Most Valuable Player, and Szalay finished off Fairleigh Dickinson's impressive showing at the 2006 NCAA National Collegiate Women's Bowling Championship as the Knights defeated Alabama A&M 4-1 in the best-of-7 Baker championship match.

The field is set for the 2006 United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Team Championships following the completion of Sectional Qualifier competition March 25-26. The top four in the men's and women's divisions at each sectional advance to the 2006 USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships, scheduled for April 26-29 at The Cherry Bowl in Rockford, Ill.

The Wichita State University men's and women's teams - both ranked No. 1 in a Bowling Writers Association of America poll - highlight the 2006 United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Team Championships Sectional Qualifier field announced Wednesday by the USBC Collegiate program. The four Sectional Qualifiers will be held March 25-26.