Oct. 27, 2008
HACKENSACK, N.J. - For the first time in the history of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), one of its athletic teams is ranked no. 1 in the nation. The 2008 NCAA National Champion Women's Bowling Team enters the 2009 campaign as the pre-season favorite according to the poll released today from the National Tenpins Coaches Association (NTCA).
The Women's Bowling Team held the previous best mark for a team ranking when they were second last season. This year the team returns NTCA National Rookie of the Year and a First-Team All-American in Kristina Frahm (Oswego, Ill.) and Second-Team All-America Maria Rodriguez (Ibague Tolima, Colombia).
"We are thrilled to welcome back all of our returnees," said Head Coach Sharon Brummell. "They are the key to our success this year. Not only do we return two National performers but we return three seniors whose experience and leadership will be invaluable."
The Hawks will count on that veteran squad to fill voids left by two other All-Americans. Laura Zanrucha and Jessica Worsley, the 2008 NCAA Most Outstanding Performer, both of whom graduated last May.
UMES received 10 out of a possible 20 first place votes, a total of 590 points, in the first of five polls conducted throughout the year by the NTCA.
"I am absolutely thrilled at this ranking," said Brummell. "To be no. 1 in the nation is amazing and humbling. I am appreciative to all the coaches who voted and excited for the challenge of keeping my team ranked there this season."
The Lady Hawks edged Vanderbilt, the 2007 NCAA Champions, by nine points in the current poll. The Commodores return all starters from last year's squad, one that the Hawks eliminated from the 2008 tournament. Vanderbilt and UMES have become rivals of sorts. They topped UMES for the title in 2007 but in last year's championships the Hawks sent Vanderbilt to the loser's bracket and then later eliminated them from the tournament 4-3, after trailing 3-0. The Commodores tallied five first votes and 581 points.
Both teams will kick-off their 2008-09 seasons on October 31 when they travel to the FDU Fright Knight Invite in Elmwood Park, N.J.
The nation's third ranked team is the University of Nebraska -Lincoln, the 2004 and 2005 NCAA Champion. They received four first place votes for a total of 532 points.
The University of Central Missouri and Arkansas State University, the 2008 NCAA Runner-Up, round out the top five. MEAC rival Delaware State, behind the leadership of pro-bowling sensation Kim Terrell is ranked ninth in the polls.
