University of Maryland Eastern Shore took second place, their highest finish ever, at the National team Match Games, held in St. Louis, Mo.
The event, a college bowling tournament, saw only three NCAA teams with a total of 26 clubs competing. It featured some of the nation’s best college bowling teams including former USBC National Champions Lindenwood and perennial powers Pikeville, Wichita State, and Central Florida.
Although he field seemed daunting #4 UMES came to play, taking second place overall, totaling 11,927 pins, just 70 pins behind event winner Pikeville. The Hawks had a scratch average of 952 on the difficult sport shot. Lindenwood, who topped UMES twice and won the National Championship two years ago when UMES last bowled in the Championships, came in seventh. The Lady Hawks posted the third highest high series with a 3,031 and had the fourth best high game with a 1,061.
In NCAA matches, UMES (31-6) posted three wins, topping Fontbonne twice on the opening day 1061-702 and 910-649 and split with #4 Central Missouri University (CMU) beating them 946-931 and falling 969-1078. The Jennies and the Hawks are tied for fourth in the current National Tenpins Coaches Association poll.
On day two of the event UMES bested Fontbonne two more times, 997-739 and 1049-680 while taking a loss to Central Missouri 918-950. CMU and UMES also faced off in on baker game with the Hawks prevailing 766-703 it the four game match.
“I guess that is why we are tied at fourth,” said Head Coach Sharon Brummell of the split with CMU. “Overall though we bowled well, our best finish ever at this event and it qualifies us to bowl in the USBC Championships again this year.”
In the individual matches Kristina Frahm’s star shined the brightest. She finished the event with a 211.1 average and 1,900 total pins. She was second to Pikeville’s Ashly Galante who averaged 215.2. For her performance Frahm was named to the All-Star Team. She also had the best high series of the event bowling a 682. In NCAA matches she had four games over 200.
Sara DiScioscia, the reigning MEAC Bowler of the Week, was sixth overall but third among NCAA bowlers. She tallied 1,782 pins and an average of 198. Jessica Worsley was right behind her in seventh, fourth among NCAA bowlers. She posted a 197.7 average with 1,779 pins. Laura Zanrucha was tied for 14 with a 192.8 average and 1,735 pins. She was the fifth best NCAA bowler. UMES had four of the top five NCAA bowlers at the event.
The Lady Hawks now head to Midlothia, Va. to bowl in the Jeanette Lee Invitational on December 1 and 2.
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