LAS VEGAS -- For the seventh time in school history, both the University of Pikeville men's and women's bowling teams are heading to the Intercollegiate Team Championships after qualifying at the ITC Las Vegas Sectionals on Sunday.

It's the second straight year that both UPIKE teams will get the chance to compete at the national championship events. Last season was the first such occurrence since 2011.

UPIKE, which has qualified for every ITC since the women's program began in 2001, is making its 16th straight appearance under head coach Ron Damron. Pikeville has won the championship twice, in 2004 and 2008.

The Bear men, under the direction of head coach Kyle Wilosn, are heading to the ITC for the seventh time overall and second time in five years.

In order to qualify for nationals, a team must finish in the top four of its sectional field through 64 games of Baker team play. The UPIKE men finished second out of 13 teams with a score of 13,351 pins, while the women finished second as well out of eight teams with a score of 12,293.

Other qualifiers out of Vegas include, on the men's side, Lindenwood (Mo.), San Jose State (Calif.) and Midland (Neb.), while the other three women's qualifiers are Newman (Kan.), Maryland-Eastern Shore and Stephen F. Austin (Texas).

The men's qualifier was close with six schools tallying at least 13,000 pins. UPIKE topped San Jose State by 118 pins, while Midland just snuck in the top four by three pins over Arizona State. The women's standings were close too as the Bears topped UMES by 91 pins. Stephen F. Austin got in past Midland by just 80 pins.

The ITC's, first contested in 1975, are the pinnacle events of the college bowling season. They bring together the top 16 men's and top 16 women's teams in the country to compete for national titles.

For a school to participate in the ITC, it must compete in certified college tournaments and conferences throughout the season.

The national championships are scheduled for April 21-23 at Northrock Lanes in Wichita, Kan.

-UPIKE-