Grams Places Second, YSU Shows Depth in Day Two of MOTIV Penguin Classic

Saturday, October 16

Struthers, Ohio (Holiday Bowl)

9 AM

Youngstown State University

4-1

MOTIV Penguin Classic

Grams Places Second, YSU Shows Depth in Day Two of MOTIV Penguin Classic

10/16/2021 12:00:00 AM | Bowling

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Behind a runner-up individual finish from Megan Grams, the Youngstown State bowling team showcased its depth on Saturday as it won four more matches at the MOTIV Penguin Classic. YSU is hosting the tournament at Holiday Bowl, its home center, in Struthers, Ohio.

Grams had a memorable day from the leadoff spot in the lineup, totaling 1,094 pins for a 218.8 average over five games. She led the effort as the Penguins went 4-1 in head-to-head play and increased their lead in total pinfall from the rest of the field. Youngstown State averaged 202.16 as a team on Saturday, which was the highest among the 10 teams at the tournament, and YSU finished the two days of qualifying in the top position by 257 pins.

"I like how we came out of the gates aggressively today, and we carried that focus and energy through the day," said YSU head coach Doug Kuberski. "We also gathered lots of solid information and continued to elevate our communication across the board. Our plan is to keep things simple, play our game and continue having fun out there."

Youngstown State will be the top seed in Sunday's bracket play, which begins at 8:25 a.m. The Penguins will bowl second-seeded Arkansas State in the opening match with a spot in the championship match on the line. If the Penguins fall to the Red Wolves, they could still reach the finals with a win against either third-seeded Lewis or fourth-seeded Duquesne.

The lone loss of the day by the seventh-ranked Penguins came to Lewis in the opening match of the morning in a close 1,048-1,038 battle. YSU responded to post the highest score of the day in its second match with a 1,062-925 victory over Morgan State behind a 256 from Emma Wrenn and a 243 from Kirsten Moore. Youngstown State topped Medaille 964-798, and Grams threw the front eight in a 278 game as YSU beat No. 3 Arkansas State 991-916. The Penguins finished the round with a 999-853 win over Walsh.

Grams' total of 1,094 is the second-highest five-game set in program history, and it is one pin higher than teammate Sarah Florence's mark at the Penguin Classic in 2019 in which Florence also finished second. Moore placed sixth with a 1,040, and Wrenn finished one spot behind her with a 1,033. The 278 game by Grams was also the second-highest ever by a Penguin.

In addition to having three of the top seven finishers, all seven Penguins who bowled a full game on Saturday topped 200 at least once. Lyndsay Ennis bowled a 223 and Emma Dockery bowled a 216 in the win over Medaille, and Madyson Marx and Jade Cote both topped 200 in the win over Walsh.

Saturday's Results