Midwest Championships Return to Rogers for Second Year

Aug. 1, 2017

ROGERS, ARK. – The 12^th Annual Midwest Championships returned here for a second year in a row, as 49 teams competed at Rogers Regional Sports Park, July 11-16.

From left to right: Randy Rowe (Central Region/Missouri State Director), Mike Hula (SSUSA Field Director), Otis Rowland (SSUSA National Director), Kelly Parker (Sports Marketing Manager - Visit Rogers), and Tim Gudridge (SSUSA UIC).

"The tournament went off well," said Otis Rowland, SSUSA National Director. "We had good weather and didn't miss a beat. All teams were matched evenly. Rogers is a great city to work with. They made sure fields were in good shape."

The first session of the tournament featured the Men’s 65 through 80 age divisions, July 11-13.

Beginning with the Men’s 65 Major division, Boyd Metals (AR) defended their home turf, defeating Handeland Flooring (WI), 19-13, in the championship game. Dr. Vinyl (IN) finished in third place.

Rounding out the Men’s 65 divisions were Texas Legends (AAA champion) and Dallas Spurs (AA champion). The Texas Legends outlasted USA Patriots (OK) in a best two-out-of-three game series, coming back to win games two (13-12) and three (15-10), after dropping game one (24-5), while top seed Dallas Spurs downed R & D Leverage, 17-8, in the championship game.

The five-team Men’s 70 AAA division saw top seed Midwest Express 70’s (IA) defeat U.S. Pallet 70 (MO) 17-10 to complete an undefeated tournament. Okies (OK) finished in third place.

Midwest Driving School 75 (KS) defeated Mid-America Patriots (KS) 15-6 in the championship game of the Men’s 75/80 Gold division, while Texas Greyhounds swept Roadrunners (OK) in a best two-out-of-three game series in the Men’s 80 AAA division.

The second session of the tournament continued with the Men’s 50 through 60 age divisions, July 14-16.

KC Classics (MO) took the top prize in the six-team Men’s 50 Platinum division, going 2-0 in seeding play, before going on to continue their impressive play in the bracket with a 3-0 record, including a 15-11 win over KC Monarchs 50 (MO). Oklahoma Rhino bounced back from an 0-2 record in seeding play to finish in third place following a 2-2 mark in bracket play.

Team O50 (IL) also played through the weekend without suffering a loss, going 2-0 in seeding play and 3-0 in bracket play, including a thrilling 15-14 win over KC Vintage (MO) in the championship game of the five-team Men’s 50 AAA division. KC Vintage won three straight games in the elimination side of the bracket to reach the championship game. Midwest Connection (NE) finished in third place.

MW Driving School 55 (KS) double-dipped 50 Caliber Plus-St. Louis (MO), winning the championship and “if” games in the three-team Men’s 55 Major division, by scores of 18-17 and 24-22, respectively. Central Illinois Chiefs finished in third place.

Nebraska Silver Bullets posted a 6-0 record for the weekend in the four-team Men’s 55 AAA division, earning the No. 1 seed after a 3-0 mark in seeding play, and 3-0 in bracket play, including a 17-14 win over KC Renegades 55’s (MO) in the championship game. KC Monarchs 55 (KS) finished in third place.

In the five-team Men’s 60 Major division, Sports Image (MO) edged out Nebraska 60’s 20-19 in the championship game. Nebraska 60’s three straight games in the elimination side of the bracket to reach the championship game. Pope Transport 60 (WI) finished in third place.

In-state and top seed Carriage Homes (AR) bounced back from its loss in the championship game of the three-team Men’s 60 AAA division against KC Thunder (MO), 15-12, with an 18-15 win in the “if” game. Oklahoma Street Outlaws finished in third place.

Dallas Spurs 60 (TX) defeated Bags Softball 60 in the “if” game of the Men’s 60 AA division, after falling 16-12 in the championship game. R & K Drywall (OK) finished in third place.