For the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's (MEAC) 11 bowling institutions, the month of November is when things will really pick up -- starting this weekend, with seven squads in action.

This past weekend, Maryland Eastern Shore opened the 2018-19 campaign by winning the Caldwell Cougar Classic. The Hawks, ranked No. 7 in the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) Preseason Top 25 poll, went 10-3 over the weekend in taking the title.

Delaware State, preseason No. 8, came in third in the Caldwell Cougar Classic, and junior Alexis Neuer -- the MEAC Preseason Bowler of the Year -- was the top individual and tournament MVP after averaging more than 202 pins in traditional team play.

MEAC preseason favorite North Carolina A&T State came in fourth in the BearCat Open hosted by No. 2 McKendree. Tyra Merritt was the top individual for the Aggies, averaging more than 208 pins and bowling a weekend best of 249, which is the second-highest single-game score in the conference so far this season.

Neuer and Merritt were named MEAC Co-Bowlers of the Week.

This week, Monmouth and Norfolk State will open their respective seasons. The Hawks, ranked No. 23 in the NTCA preseason poll and in their first season as an associate member of the MEAC, will open in the Track Kat Klash in Houston, Texas, while Norfolk State will compete in the Virginia Union Invitational.

The Spartans will be joined by Coppin State, Howard and Morgan State. Joining Monmouth at the Track Kat Klash will be Maryland Eastern Shore and UAB.

November will also see the beginning of conference play, as the first MEAC meet of the season will be held Nov. 10-11 hosted by Delaware State. There is no divisional play in 2018-19; all 11 bowling institutions will compete in a pair of conference meets during the season, determining the six teams that will qualify for the MEAC Championships.

The 2019 MEAC Bowling Championships will be held March 29-31 in Chesapeake, Va.


Friday-Sunday, Nov. 2-4
Coppin State at Virginia Union Invitational
Howard at Virginia Union Invitational
Maryland Eastern Shore at Track Kat Klash
Monmouth at Track Kat Klash
Morgan State at Virginia Union Invitational
Norfolk State at Virginia Union Invitational
UAB at Track Kat Klash