Bowling | 10/22/2025 11:16:00 AM

STRUTHERS, Ohio – Coppin State's bowling team recorded a 14th-place finish out of 18 teams at Youngstown State's Chelsea Gilliam Penguin Classic. The Eagles went 2-11 overall during the three-day event, highlighted by strong performances from Shakyia Johnson and Blessing Lawrence in traditional play.
 
Johnson led the way for the Eagles, finishing 39th in the individual standings with a 187.20 average in traditional matches. A junior from Virginia Beach, Johnson opened the day in impressive fashion, rolling back-to-back 200+ games against Valparaiso and Wright State. She averaged 18.72 pins per frame while posting an 88.0% overall fill percentage, while converting on 80% of her spare attempts.
 
Just behind Johnson was sophomore Blessing Lawrence, who averaged 186.60 pins in traditional play. Lawrence turned in a 218 in Coppin's win over Mercyhurst and added a 210 against Sacred Heart. She finished the tournament averaging 18.66 pins per frame with a 78% overall fill percentage.
 
Victoria Davis and Shenae Harrison also posted solid efforts, finishing 48th and 49th, respectively, with book averages of 180.60 and 180.20. Both Davis and Harrison rolled a 211 against Valparaiso, while Davis added a 201 in the 965-861 victory over Mercyhurst. Harrison matched Johnson with a team-high 20 strikes and converted on an impressive 91% of her single-pin spare attempts.
 
Abigail Brockington contributed as well, rolling a 200 in the win over Mercyhurst.
 
In Baker competition, Davis paced Coppin with 18.69 pins per frame, an 84.5% fill percentage, and was successful on 83% of her makeable spare attempts.
 
During Sunday's bracket play, the Eagles fell to Lewis University, 4-1, before bouncing back with a 4-1 win over Western Illinois. Coppin and Lewis met once again to close out the tournament, with the Eagles jumping out to a 2-0 advantage before ultimately falling, 4-3 in a hard-fought best-of-seven-game series.
 
Coppin will have off next weekend before returning to the lanes on November 1-2 for the Golden Bear Invite, hosted by Kutztown University at Bowlero Berks Lanes in Sinking Spring, Pa.