NEW CASTLE, Del. - - Wrapping up the 2022-23 regular season, the Wilmington University bowling team moved up two spots on Sunday to finish fifth overall at the Northeast Roundup at Bowlerama.
The Wildcats went 7-3 overall, including 3-1 in Baker matches on Sunday before defeating Kutztown in the Baker Bracket Series, 4.5-1.5, to finish fifth overall. The Wildcats will now prepare for the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Championship Tournament this weekend in Philadelphia.
During Traditional play on Saturday, the Wildcats went 3-2 overall, falling to Kutztown and New Jersey City to start the day, but bouncing back to defeat Holy Family, Bryant, and Saint Anselm.
Individually, KC Miller led the Wildcats with a 13th place finish in traditional matches, bowling a 919 (183.80 average). She saved her best for last, bowling a 203 against Saint Anselm. She also had a 194 against New Jersey City and a 185 against Holy Family.
Genna Closs placed 22nd overall with an 860 five-match total, bowling a 172 average. She had a day's high 199 Holy Family and also bowled a 190 against Bryant. Carolece Henry was right behind Closs in 24th overall, bowing an 855 five-match total for a 171 average. She had a day's high 190 against Saint Anselm.
Sydney Jones bowled an 828 five-match total to finish in 33rd overall with a 165.60 average. She had a Wilmington best 215 in the fourth match of the day against Bryant.
Desiree Dent was the only other Wildcat to bowl a 200-game on Saturday, finishing with a 211 against Saint Anselm, bowling in four matches for a 649 (162.25 average). Nicole Mitchell bowled a 134 against Bryant, subbing in for Dent.
On Sunday, the Wildcats went 3-1 in Baker matches, including wins over nationally Ranked No. 14 Mercyhurst and No. 23 Merrimack. The four Baker matches saw the Wildcats move from seventh overall to sixth overall in the standings, allowing them to play for the fifth spot in Bracket play.
Kutztown won the first game of the best-of-seven, 200-169, but the Wildcats fought back with wins in games two and three. The teams tied the fourth game, 171-171, to make it 2.5-1.5 in favor of the Wildcats. Wilmington continued to get stronger, winning game five, 192-167, and then narrowly won game six, 164-163, to win the match, 4.5-1.5.
Nationally ranked No. 15 Fairleigh Dickinson won the tournament, 4-2, over No. 16 Mount St. Mary's. Kutztown's Chloe Sromovski won MVP honors on Saturday with a 1,083 five-match total, bowling a 216.60 average.
The Wildcats will take part in the Inaugural CACC Tournament this weekend hosted by Chestnut Hill at the Our Town Alley in East Norriton, Pennsylvania. The tournament starts Friday and a champion will be crowned on Sunday.