The National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) released its December 2019 Top 25 poll on Wednesday, and five programs from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) are ranked.

Defending MEAC champion Maryland Eastern Shore, which is unbeaten in conference play so far this season, is the highest-ranked MEAC team in the poll, sitting at No. 6. North Carolina A&T State is just behind the Hawks, coming in at No. 7 in the latest rankings.

Delaware State rose one spot in the poll to No. 14.

Associate members UAB and Monmouth are also ranked; the Blazers are No. 22 in the December poll, while the Hawks have risen from No. 25 in the preseason poll to No. 23.

McKendree is the new No. 1 team in the nation, picking up 14 first-place votes. Sam Houston State, Nebraska, Arkansas State and Vanderbilt round out the top five.

The 2019-20 bowling season is on hiatus until after the New Year.