NORFOLK, Va. - The Norfolk State bowling team moved up one spot from the previous month and cracked the top 10 for the first time ever as the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) released its latest coaches poll this week.
The Spartans sit in a tie for 10th along with Stephen F. Austin after garnering 249 points in the latest voting. NSU moved up from its previous spot of 11th in last month's poll. That No. 11 ranking had been the highest ever in NSU bowling history.
NSU owns an 86-36 overall record heading into the MEAC Championships this weekend at Gate City Lanes in Greensboro, N.C. The Spartans have already shattered their previous school record for wins in a season set last year when NSU went 67-49 overall.
NSU and Stephen F. Austin sit slightly ahead of No. 12 New Jersey City which had 230 points in the NTCA poll, but behind No. 9 Sam Houston State which tallied 352 points.
Along with NSU, MEAC schools UMES (No. 5), Delaware State (No. 14) and Morgan State (No. 20) also reside in the top 20. Fairleigh Dickinson kept its place at the top of the poll, followed by No. 2 Arkansas State, No. 3 Nebraska and No. 4 Vanderbilt.
NSU began the year at No. 15 in the first poll of the season in late October, and then moved up to 13th in the December poll and 11th in the February one. A No. 16 ranking had been the program's previous best before the season.
After capturing the MEAC Southern Division title for the third time in four years, the Spartans will take aim at the MEAC Championships beginning Friday.