Another year and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) has more All-Americans. At the National Championship banquet, held prior to the start of the 2009 NCAA Tournament, the National Tenpins Coaches Association announced the 2009 All-American Teams and national award winners. For the second year in a row, both Maria Rodriguez and Kristina Frahm have been named All-Americans for the 2008-09 season.
NTCA President Mike LoPresti announced the honors and Frahm, the 2007-08 NTCA Rookie of the Year was named an Honorable Mention All-American while Rodriguez took home First-Team All-American honors.
The two had solid seasons for the Lady Hawks. Rodriguez was the MEAC Player of the Year and a first-team selection while Frahm was a second-team selection. Both were named MEAC Bowling Athlete of the Week four times.
“I am very proud,” said an elated Rodriguez who was a second-team All-American last year. “It means a lot to me to be recognized with the best college bowlers in the country.”
Rodriguez averaged an amazing 199.73 and carried above a 200 almost the entire season. She finished in the top 10 of seven events this season, winning one and placing top five in six of the seven. She bowled in 99-percent of the teams games, practically never coming out of Head Coach Sharon Brummell’s line-up for 74 games.
Frahm averaged a 188.15 this season, bowling in 89-percent of the team’s games and taking a top ten spot six times. She was the top individual finisher twice this year. She collected 12,606 pins in 67 games.
“I am honored to receive this award,” said Frahm. “It has been a tough year and I think I could have bowled better but to be recognized as one of the best in the nation makes me very proud.”
“The conference was well represented,” said Brummell. “I am so proud of our young ladies for being recognized and very proud for the MEAC. The conference should be proud.”
Brummell is referring to Delaware State University who had four All-Americans, two on the second-team, one on the third and one honorable mention. Bethune-Cookman also had an honorable mention All-American.
The biggest honor however went to Head Coach Kim Terrell-Kearney who was named the NTCA’s National Coach of the Year. She earned the same honor for the conference earlier this year.
Delaware State and UMES will start the tournament Thursday. Frahm and Rodriguez will lead the Lady Hawks into competition when the eight teams bowl a seeding round. They bowl four team games starting at 9:30 a.m. and continue into the evening with Baker style games. Fans can follow the action on umeshawks.com