Youngstown State University
DezyStrong Classic
Grams Places Fifth, Penguins Qualify Fourth at Dezy Strong Classic
10/30/2021 12:00:00 AM | Bowling
Behind another strong Saturday performance from junior Megan Grams, the Youngstown State bowling team moved up two positions in the standings to qualify fourth at the Dezy Strong Classic. The tournament is being hosted by Adelphi at Coram Country Lanes on Long Island.
Grams earned her second top-five finish in as many tournaments as she averaged 209.80 to total 1,049 and place fifth. She bowled a 276 in her third game, which was two pins shy of her career high from the MOTIV Penguin Classic two weeks ago and the third-highest game in program history.
The Penguins had two additional bowlers finished among the top 12 in the field. Freshman Jade Cote placed eighth with a 1,015 total pinfall, and senior Emma Wrenn was 12th with a 990. That trio helped Youngstown State total 4,828 on Saturday, which was the fourth-best mark in the field and allowed the squad to move up from sixth to fourth in the standings.
"Today was a solid team effort all around," said YSU head coach Doug Kuberski. "With as challenging as the lanes are, communication is key. I can sense this group growing closer and closer, and we're having a lot of fun. We are learning a lot and looking forward to another day out there together. If we stay focused on playing our game, good things happen."
Youngstown State went 2-3 in head-to-head play on Saturday despite its high-scoring day relative to the field. The Penguins had their lowest result in the opening match when three straight opens in the 10th allowed Saint Francis (Pa.) to escape with an 894-890 win. YSU bounced back with its top two scores of the day as it beat St. Francis Brooklyn 1,018-870 and No. 13 Mount St. Mary's 1,013-921. YSU dropped its last two matches to the top two qualifiers, falling 969-926 to No. 4 Vanderbilt and 1,054-981 to No. 16 Tulane.
Youngstown State is in contention for the tournament title but would need to win all three of its best-of-seven Baker matches on Sunday. Bracket play will begin at 8:30 a.m. against Stephen F. Austin, which qualified third. YSU's matches will be broadcast live on the YSUsports YouTube channel.
Saturday's Results
Saint Francis (Pa.) 894 - #7 Youngstown State 890
#7 Youngstown State 1,018 - St. Francis Brooklyn 870
#7 Youngstown State 1,013 - #13 Mount St. Mary's 921
#4 Vanderbilt 969 - #7 Youngstown State 926
#16 Tulane 1,054 - #7 Youngstown State 981
