HOWELL, N.J. - - In the team's final action prior to the Holiday Break, the Wilmington University bowling team faced a star-studded field and finished 14th at the Garden State Classic hosted by Monmouth at the Howell Lanes.
The Wildcats defeated the nationally ranked No. 3 Youngstown State, No. 9 Maryville, and No. 12 Mount St. Mary's during the weekend, going 8-5 overall, including 5-0 in traditional play on Saturday.
The weekend started with Baker Match wins over No. 3 Youngstown State, 925-916, and No. 9 Maryville, 983-957, on Friday. But then the Wildcats dropped matches to Nationally Ranked No. 1 Jacksonville State, 1,130-842, and No. 10 Duquesne, 945-871, before wrapping up their day with a close loss to host Monmouth, 895-861. The Wildcats were in 13th place following the five Baker Matches with a 4,483 total pinfall.
On Saturday, the Wildcats went 5-0 in Traditional matches, defeating No. 12 Mount St. Mary's, 886-862, Niagara, 897-849, Molloy, 903-782, Adelphi, 916-743, and Coppin State, 903-861, for a total pinfall of 4,505. Despite the 5-0 mark, the Wildcats finished Saturday in 14th place with total pinfall of 8,988 for a 179.8 game average.
Individually, the Wildcats were led by Logan Brown's 21st place finish out of 137 total bowlers. She bowled a Wildcat weekend's best 243 against Adelphi, adding a 207 against Molloy and a 196 against Niagara. She was one of 21 bowlers to collect 1,000 pins or more, finishing with 1,002 for a 200.40 game average on Saturday.
Miranda Dudas finished tied for 40th overall with her five matches on Saturday, bowling a 924 for a 184.80 average. She bowled a 221 against Niagara and finished the day with a 214 against Coppin State.
Sydney Jones placed 48th overall with an 889 total pinfall, bowling a 177.80 average for the day. She started the day with a 220 in the win over No. 12 Mount St. Mary's, adding back-to-back games of 179 against Molloy and Adelphi.
Abigail Crumb bowled to a 51st place finish on Saturday, finishing with an 879 total pinfall for a 175.80 average. She had a day's best 190 against Molloy, starting the day with a 189 against No. 12 Mount St. Mary's.
Genna Closs placed 61st overall for the Wildcats, finishing the day with an 811 average for a 162.20 game average. She concluded her day with her best game, bowling a 174 against Coppin State.
Youngstown State's Madison Doseck earned Tournament MVP honors after collecting 1,133 pins for a 226.60 average.
Sitting 14th heading into Sunday, the Wildcats squared off against CACC foe Felician in Bracket play. The Wildcats narrowly lost the first Baker game, 195-194, and could only pick up one win in game three before losing to the Golden Falcons, 4-1. The Wildcat then faced another CACC foe in Dominican, tying game two, 176-176, before winning game three, 212-163 to tie the match, 1.5-1.5. The Wildcats won game seven, 226-157, to force a bowl-off, winning the extra match, 95-86, to jump into the 13th-14th place match.
The Wildcats faced Felician again in the final match of the weekend. They won game two, 184-154, to tie the match, 1-1, but the Golden Falcons won the final three games to take the match, 4-1, dropping the Wildcats to 14th for the tournament.
No. 3 Youngstown State defeated No. 5 Nebraska, 4-1, to win the tournament. No. 4 Vanderbilt defeated No. 1 Jacksonville State, 4-3, for third place overall.
The Wildcats are off until the New Year, returning to action on Friday, January 17, when they compete in the Northeast Classic hosted by Sacred Heart University at Bowlerama in New Castle, Delaware.
21 – Logan Brown – 179-196-207-243-177 – 1,002 – 200.40 avg
41 – Miranda Dudas – 136-221-166-187-214 – 924 – 184.80 avg
48 – Sydney Jones – 220-141-179-179-170 – 889 – 177.80 avg
51 – Abigail Crumb – 189-170-190-162-168 – 879 – 175.80 avg
61 – Genna Closs – 162-169-161-145-174 – 811 – 162.20 avg