DEPTFORD, N.J. - - The Wilmington University bowling team completed its first tournament of the 2023 schedule in 25^th at the Northeast Classic, the largest and most competitive field the Wildcats will see this season.

Saturday's Traditional matches against five nationally ranked opponents did not go as planned, dropping all five matches and falling to 24^th overall after two days. The Wildcats then dropped their first two Baker Bracket matches on Sunday, but finished the tournament with a 4-0 sweep of Wagner to place 25^th out of the 33 teams.

On Saturday, the Wildcats dropped Traditional matches to nationally No. 13 Delaware State, 868-856, No. 21 and host Sacred Heart, 910-797, No. 2 North Carolina A&T, 1,004-940, No. 24 Morgan State, 1,014-839, and No. 25 Merrimack, 919-826.

Sydney Jones led the Wildcats with a five-game total of 904, finishing 83^rd out of 208 bowlers. She had a day's best 226 against Morgan State but also bowled a 200 against No. 2 North Carolina A&T. She finished with a 180.80 average.

Carolece Henry had the team's best game of the day, finishing 89^th overall with a five-match total of 888. She had a 228 against No. 2 North Carolina A&T for her lone 200-game of the day. She bowled a 189 against No. 13 Delaware State, finishing with a 177.60 average.

Desiree Dent bowl a day's best 193 against No. 13 Delaware State and finished with a five-match total of 881 for a 176.20 average. She finished 92^nd overall.

KC Miller placed 106^th overall with a five-match total of 810 on Saturday. She had a day's best 180 against No. 25 Merrimack, finishing with a 162 average.

Genna Closs also had a day's best against No. 25 Merrimack, bowling a 170 to complete her five-match total of 775. She came in 111^th with a 155 average.

Stephen F. Austin's Chloe Skurzynski won tournament MVP honors with a five-match total of 1,156 with games of 223-237-290-181-225 for a 231.20 average. Mercyhurst's Haley Youker bowled a 300 and finished second overall with a 1,146 for a 229.20 average.

On Sunday, the Wildcats first matched up with No. 17 Tulane in the best-of-seven baker bracket match. The Wildcats tied the match, 1-1, with a 185-145 win in game two, but Tulane bowled game of 230-241-203 in their next three games to finish off the Wildcats, 4-1.

The Wildcats then matched up with Kutztown in the next round. The Wildcats got off to a fast start with a 224-164 win in game one, but then the Golden Bears won the next three games to take a 3-1 lead. The Wildcats stayed alive with a 207-177 win in game five, but the Bears finished off the Wildcats with a 177-173 victory in game six, 4-2.

Now playing for placement, the Wildcats swept Wagner, 4-0, to take 25^th place. They won the first game, 180-157, and then rattled off three straight 200 games to close out the Seahawks. They bowled games of 213-202-220 to win 4-0.

Fourth ranked Nebraska started the day in third place but defeated Stephen F. Austin, 4-2, McKendree, 4.5-3.5, and Vanderbilt, 4-2, to win the Tournament.

The Wildcats return to action on February 4 when they compete in the two-day Griffin Baker Classic hosted by Chestnut Hill. The Tournament will be held at the Wildcats' home lanes of Bowlerama.

83 – Sydney Jones – 170-147-200-226-161 – 904 (180.80 avg.)
89 – Carolece Henry – 189-146-228-177-148 – 888 (177.60 avg.)
92 – Desiree Dent – 193-176-171-174-167 – 881 (176.20 avg.)
106 – KC Miller – 153-175-177-125-180 – 810 (162.00 avg.)
111 – Genna Closs – 151-153-164-137-170 – 775 (155.00 avg.)