PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — When the University of Maryland Eastern Shore begins competition at the James Brown Invitational — hosted by Morgan State University — on Friday (Feb. 11) it will do so as the No. 16 team in the National Tenpin Coaches Association Poll released on Wednesday.
The Hawks (40-33, 3-5 MEAC) moved up two spots from No. 18 in the December poll.
"Obviously getting into the Top 16 is great, but now we focus on getting away from 16 and getting closer to 13 or 14, because being there is no guarantee," Hawks coach Roger Petrin said during Thursday's practice round. "Ultimately I'm thrilled with No. 16 because this past month was a challenge, but we managed some really big wins that I guess helped us move up."
Being in the Top 16 is significant because including automatic bids, 16 teams will make the NCAA field. Securing a spot in the poll doesn't guarantee entry, but heading into the stretch run in that range puts the Hawks in position to go out and earn a spot by either finishing the season strong and getting an at-large bid or winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship and the automatic berth that comes with it.
"It is in our hands and in our control," Petrin said. "It has been all year, but every team is in control of their own destiny starting from Day 1. We didn't have our strongest lineups by any means the last two events (due to injuries and COVID protocols). We are past that now and we are past the point of learning each other. Now I think everything is about to click."
Friday's opening round at AMF Towson Lanes in Towson, Maryland will be the team's first competition since a shorthanded squad finished the Northeast Classic in 15th on Jan. 23.
The event features five, five-game Baker matches on Friday, five Traditional team matches on Saturday and Baker bracket play on Sunday.
"I've just been looking for that one event where over an entire weekend we all put it together and are able to throw some really good games without any sets that set us back," Petrin said. "We are getting close. The last two events we have really only had one bad set each day. I'm pleased to see where we are at and I think this weekend we have a lot of opportunity here. I have a good feeling heading into the weekend that things are going to get done."
After the James Brown this weekend, Eastern Shore will have just three more events plus USBC Intercollegiate Team Championship Sectionals to finish the regular season strong and prepare for the MEAC Championship.
The Shore will travel to: The MEAC No. 2 meet (Feb. 19-20) in Chesapeake, Virginia; The Stalling Invitational (Feb. 25-27) in Greensboro, North Carolina; The USBC Sectionals (March 11-13) and the Music City Classic (Mar. 18-20) in Smyrna, Tennessee before the MEAC Championship (Mar. 25-27) in Chesapeake, Virginia).
