Bowling | 1/23/2025 11:53:00 AM
NEW CASTLE, Del. - The Norfolk State bowling team competed in the star-studded Northeast Classic, hosted by Sacred Heart University, from Jan. 17-18 at Bowlerama.
The Northeast Classic featured 38 teams, 22 of which are ranked by the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA). Out of the 22 teams ranked, all of the top-15 teams in the country competed.
Norfolk State faced six ranked opponents, including: No. 1 Vanderbilt, No. 7 Wichita State, No. 11 Sacred Heart, No. 12 Louisiana Tech, No. 18 Maryland Eastern Shore and No. 21 UAB.
The Spartans kicked off the competition in five backer total pinfall matches on Friday, highlighted by a win over William Smith (852-844). NSU fell to No.11 Sacred Heart (919-853), Molloy (845-823), No. 12 Louisiana Tech (1,036-703), and MEAC foe No.18 Maryland Eastern Shore (911-749).
Against William Smith, the Spartans bowled 162 and 186 in the first two games to take an early 348-327 advantage over the Herons. A 158-146 advantage in game three secured the Spartans the victory as the Herons tried to battle back in the match.
Norfolk State competed in five five-person traditional total pinfall matches on Saturday. They defeated Long Island University (838-779) behind a high of 194 from sophomore Kiersten Michel.
Michel posted two 200+ performances: 224 against No.1 Vanderbilt (948-844) and 217 against No. 21 UAB (1,061-873) . She averaged 189.0 a game in traditional play through five games to lead the Spartans.
Senior Jazmin Esquibel bowled a high of 253 against Wright State in the 1,009-866 loss.
No. 3 ranked Nebraska defeated No. 4 Youngstown State 4-0 to claim the team championship title, while Merrimack's Cassidy Anshutz took home MVP honors with a 232.8 average.
Northeast Classic Teams
No. 1 Vanderbilt
No. 2 Jacksonville State
No. 3 Nebraska
No. 4 Youngstown State
No. 5 Arkansas State
No. 6 Stephen F. Austin
No. 7 Wichita State
No. 8 Sam Houston
No. 9 Maryville
No. 10 North Carolina A&T
No. 11 Sacred Heart
No. 12 Louisiana Tech
No. 13 McKendree
No. 14 Duquesne
No. 15 Tulane
No. 17 Mount St. Mary's
No. 18 University of Maryland Eastern Shore
No. 19 Merrimack
No. 21 University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)
No. 22 Delaware State
No. 23 Felician
No. 24 Mercyhurst
Adelphi
Bryant
Chestnut Hill
Dominican of New York
Holy Family
Howard
Kutztown
Long Island
Molloy
Morgan State
Niagara
Norfolk State
University of Central Missouri
Valparaiso
Wagner
William Smith
Wright State
For complete coverage of Norfolk State Athletics, please follow the Spartans on social media at @nsuspartans (X), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube) or visit the official home of Norfolk State Athletics at nsuspartans.com.