| There may not be a hotter team in the nation than the 10th-ranked North Carolina A&T bowling team. Their stellar play has now translated to the Aggies winning their second straight MEAC southern divisional title.
N.C. A&T finished the third MEAC Meet of the season 8-0. The Aggies, who were picked to win the MEAC southern division, came in to the meet two games behind the Norfolk State University (NSU) Spartans. The Aggies are now 67-28 overall and finished their MEAC schedule 19-5 a year after finishing 20-4. The Spartans finished the weekend 3-5 to close out MEAC play three games behind the Aggies at 16-8.
The Aggies are a combined 28-3 in their last three tournaments and have won 22 straight games. They need only three more wins to secure their third straight 70-win season. Also impressive, the Aggies had a different leader in the last three tournaments. Senior Emily Strombeck led the Aggies at the Stormin’ Ladyjack Classic two weeks ago; junior MacKenzie Robinson led the Aggies last week at the Brunswick Invitational in Greensboro; and for the MEAC Meet it was junior Kristin Shinn.
Shinn had a total pinfall of 787 to finish seventh with an average of 196.75 over four games. Strombeck finished right behind Shinn in eighth with a total pinfall of 777 and an average 194.25. Robinson also finished in the top-10 by finishing 10th with an average of 183.50 in four games.
Despite the 8-0 mark, the Aggies faced tough competition. The team took down NSU in traditional team games 900-793. In baker play, the Aggies defeated the Spartans 912-801. Also in traditional play, the Aggies defeated Bethune-Cookman 976-970; Hampton University 896-879; and Florida A&M 932-898. The Aggies also outlasted Hampton in baker play 977-957 led by Shinn, Smith and Strombeck.
The Aggies next step is to defend their United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Intercollegiate Team Championship (ITC) that earned the school its first ever national title.
The Aggies will compete in a USBC sectional qualifier. Four sectionals will be held March 12-13 at Suncoast Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada; Smyrna Bowl in Smyrna, Tennessee; 30 Strikes in Stratford, New Jersey; and the Stardust Bowl in Addison, Illinois.
The top four teams from each sectional will advance to the ITC, which will be held April 20-23 at Northrock Lanes in Wichita, Kansas. The MEAC championships are March 25-27 at AMF Bowling Lanes in Chesapeake, Virginia. |
