LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Built largely on the success of the first day, the Maryland Eastern Shore rode the wave of momentum and delivered a few extra strong performance for good measure. The result was qualification into the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Intercollegiate Team Championship (ITC) this April in Wichita.
The Hawks took third place in this weekend’s Las Vegas sectional with a total pinfall of 12,202. Newman, Pikeville and Stephen F. Austin also qualified out of the same sectional, and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) rivals Delaware State and North Carolina A&T State will head to nationals after finishing third in their respective sectionals.
This trip to Wichita will be the first for the team since 2014 when the Hawks finished fifth. Maryland Eastern Shore won the USBC title back in 2013, their second in team history.
Once again senior Thashaina Seraus took the lead as the anchor for her team and bowled in that spot for all 32 games. Sophomore Jalesa Johnson and freshman Danielle August spent a considerable amount of time in the fourth position.
Sophomore Melanie Copey and freshman Jacqueline Rhoda bowled all 32 games again today, while freshman Quianna Macares filled in for the part of the day, particularly at the end of the morning session.
During the morning session the Hawks hit their peak in the middle of the 16 game stretch. They reached the 200 mark in the sixth match of the game with a 203, and then followed it with a 200. A few games later the Hawks recorded a 209 game and their best 10 frames of the morning at 236. However with a pinfall of 2,931 for the morning the team dropped to third but held to a comfortable advantage.
Looking to cement their spot in Wichita, Maryland Eastern Shore responded with an 830 series over the first four games of the afternoon, including an afternoon high score of 233. Though the Hawks would only bowl two more games the rest of the way, that early push was enough to keep the team in third place and earn their spot in the championship.
Before the team competes in the USBC ITC’s, they will have several tournaments to play, including the Music City Classic in Tennessee, the MEAC Championships in Virginia, and a possible NCAA Championship bid in New Jersey.