NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State bowling team was recognized by the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) when the organization announced its All-Scholar Teams. In addition, a pair of Spartan bowlers were honored for their academic prowess when they were named Academic All-NTCA this week.
Senior Carrie Hickey and sophomore Meagan Marciano were each named to the all-academic team for having a GPA of 3.40 or better during the 2015-16 academic year. They were among a total of 163 student-athletes from 32 schools to earn the honor. It marked the second time each bowler was named Academic All-NTCA during their careers.
NSU has now had bowlers recognized 19 times over a six-year period by the NTCA.
In addition, the Spartan bowling program was named an NTCA All-Scholar Team for having a team GPA of 3.20 or better during the 2015-16 academic year. It marked the third time in four years the program was honored.
NSU ranked 15th for the academic year among NCAA schools that sponsor bowling with a team GPA of 3.23. A total of 17 teams were named an all-scholar team, and the Spartans joined Delaware State and UMES as the only MEAC schools to earn the distinction.
Hickey earned second-team All-MEAC and MEAC All-Tournament Team honors this year, one of three Spartan bowlers to earn postseason second-team accolades. She finished second on the team with a career-high 186.5 average. Marciano, meanwhile, bowled in 38 traditional games and carried a 161.9 average.
NSU finished 50-33 overall in 2015-16 and 16-8 in the MEAC, good for second place in the Southern Division. For the second year in a row, the Spartans advanced to the MEAC Tournament title match, falling 4-1 to Delaware State.