NEWARK, Del. - - For the first time in the program's four-year existence, the Wilmington University bowling team has been ranked in the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) Top 25 National Poll, earning 139 points to claim No. 24 in the December poll.
The Wildcats are off to their best start in program history, finishing I the top three in each of their last three tournaments, including their first ever tournament championship after winning the Virginia Union Invitational on November 3. They also placed fourth in the Traditional portion of the Bud Whitman Memorial on the opening weekend of the season. The Wildcats are 31-13 this year in head-to-head competitions.
NCAA women's bowling is not separated into division's like most other collegiate sports, meaning the Wildcats are ranked in the Top 25 amongst traditional NCAA Division I, Division II, and Division III universities.
Defending NCAA Champions McKendree tops the newest National Poll followed by Sam Houston State and Nebraska to round out the top three. Arkansas State is ranked fourth while Vanderbilt caps the Top 5 in the country.
The Wildcats are one of three teams from the East Coast Conference in the National Poll, led by Lincoln Memorial's 20th place standing. Adelphi is right behind Lincoln Memorial in 21st before the Wildcats are spotted in 24th. They are also the seventh non-NCAA Division I program on the list.
The next NTCA Poll will be releases in February.
Wilmington is off until the middle of January, when they return to action at the Northeast Classic hosted by Sacred Heart and Long Island in Croydon, Pa. The first day of the three-day tournament is scheduled for Friday, January 17.
