SINKING SPRING, Pa. - - The Wilmington University women's bowling team went 4-1 to start the Golden Bear Invite on Saturday, hosted by Kutztown at the Berks Lane, and sit in second place overall following five traditional matches.
The 4-1 record is tied with two other teams (Morgan State and Caldwell) and trails only Molloy's perfect 5-0 mark. The Wildcats' 4,654 total pin-fall is second in the tournament, trailing only Fairleigh Dickinson's 4,555, who is 3-2 overall.
The Wildcats were led by Sydney Jones and Desiree Dent who finished in 12th and 13th, respectively. Jones had the team's best game of the afternoon, producing a 224 in the first match of the day. She also bowled a 219 in the third match of the day and finished with a five-game total of 954 (190.8 average). Desiree Dent was right behind her teammate in 13th place with a total pin-fall of 943 for a 188.6 average. She had a day's best 222 in the third game of the afternoon.
Newcomer Genna Closs finished 18th overall with a five-match average of 183.6, bowling a 918. Her best match came in the opener, bowling a 209. Fellow freshman Carolece Henry was 23rd overall with an 897, bowling a 179.4 average. She saved the best for last on Saturday, bowling a 217 in the fifth match.
KC Miller bowled four matches on Saturday, finishing with a team best 194.5 average. She had a 778 four-match total, bowling a 223 in the fifth match, and a 212 in the opener. She had the 32nd best pin-fall total on Saturday.
Nicole Mitchell replaced Miller in the third match of the day, bowling a 164 for the team.
Caldwell's Rhianna Smith won Tournament MVP honors with a 1,140 total, averaging 228 per match. Morgan State's Johnna Hill was the only other student-athlete to reach the century mark, bowling a 1,009 for a 201.8 average.
The Golden Bear Invite continues on Sunday with four Baker matches and then a Position Round match to determine the final standings.