NORFOLK, Va., Sept. 28, 2017—Maryland Eastern Shore’s Jacqueline Rhoda was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Preseason Bowler of the Year, the conference announced today. Maryland Eastern Shore was named the preseason favorite to win the Northern Division, while North Carolina A&T State was picked as the favorite to win the Southern Division.
 
All awards were voted on by the conference’s head coaches and sports information directors.
 
Rhoda was a Second Team All-MEAC selection last season after helping the Hawks win the MEAC tournament championship and earn berths to both the NCAA and United States Bowling Congress (USBC) National Championships. In addition, Rhoda competed in the USBC Intercollegiate Singles Championship, advancing to the semifinal round.
 
A two-time MEAC Bowler of the Week in 2016-17, Rhoda averaged 193.3 pins in Baker play and 195.9 in traditional play last season. She had a 95.3 percent spare rate, which included a 93-percent clip in single-pin spares.
 
Rhoda was also a MEAC All-Academic honoree last season.
 
Joining Rhoda on the Preseason All-MEAC Team are Elizabeth Burkholder, Chelsey Merklinger and Alexis Neuer of Delaware State, as well as Norfolk State’s Alexa Rodriguez.
 
The defending MEAC champion Hawks received nine first-place votes in being tabbed the Northern Division’s preseason favorite, racking up 79 points. Delaware State (68 points, six first-place votes) was picked to finish second, followed by Howard (51 points, three first-place votes), Morgan State (45 points) and Coppin State (27).
 
In being picked to repeat in the Southern Division, North Carolina A&T State tallied 67 points and picked up 13 first-place votes. Norfolk State (57 points, five first-place votes) was picked to finish second, followed by Florida A&M (29 points) and Bethune-Cookman (27 points).
 
The 2017-18 bowling season kicks off the weekend of Oct. 14-15.
 
The 2018 MEAC Bowling Championship will be held March 23-25 at the AMF Lanes in Chesapeake, Va. The top three teams from each division will qualify for the tournament.
 

2017-18 Preseason All-MEAC Bowling Team & Predicted Order of Finish
As voted on by the conference’s head coaches and sports information directors
 
Preseason Bowler of the Year: Jacqueline Rhoda, Maryland Eastern Shore
 
Preseason All-MEAC Team

Name                           Ht.          Class      School                                            Hometown
Elizabeth Burkholder      5-5          Sr.          Delaware State                                 Lancaster, Pa.
Chelsey Merklinger        4-11         Sr.          Delaware State                                 Kinzers, Pa.
Alexis Neuer                 5-6           So.         Delaware State                                 Lewisburg, Pa.
Jacqueline Rhoda          5-6           Jr.           Maryland Eastern Shore                   Portage, Ind.
Alexa Rodriguez            5-2           r-Jr.         Norfolk State                                   Carolina, Puerto Rico
 
 

Predicted Order of Finish
First-place votes in parentheses

 
Northern Division
1. Maryland Eastern Shore (9)                    79 points
2. Delaware State (6)                                 68
3. Howard (3)                                            51
4. Morgan State                                        45
5. Coppin State                                         27
 
Southern Division
1. North Carolina A&T State (13)                67 points
2. Norfolk State (5)                                    57
3. Florida A&M                                         29
4. Bethune-Cookman                                27