Bowling Has Record-Setting Day at Nebraska

Friday, February 26

Lincoln, NE (Hollywood Bowl)

Youngstown State University

4-1

Big Red Invitational

2/26/2021 12:00:00 AM | Bowling

The No. 8 Youngstown State bowling team beat four ranked teams and set three school records on a memorable first day at the Big Red Invitational on Friday at Hollywood Bowl. The tournament is being hosted by Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb.

11 strikes and a 9-spare❗❗

Check out all 13 shots from our school-record 2️⃣7️⃣9️⃣ game at the Big Red Invitational!#GoGuins�� pic.twitter.com/REdV3QRVyk
— Youngstown State Bowling �� (@YSUBowling) February 26, 2021

The Penguins had their highest-scoring tournament in program history at the same bowling center in 2020, and they topped last season's first-day total in record-setting fashion. The group of Madyson Marx, Megan Grams, Sarah Florence, Emma Wrenn and Emma Dockery totaled 5,229 pins over the five Baker matches, which was 103 pins better than last year's mark that was the previous school record. YSU also set school records in Baker format for highest game with a 279 and highest match total with a 1,145.

"As a group we channeled positive, powerful energy today and found a nice rhythm," said YSU head coach Doug Kuberski. "We also stayed aggressive with our moves and ball changes and found the right mix the last two matches to string some strikes. We'll look to keep it flowing tomorrow."

Youngstown State is fifth in total pinfall after the first day, trailing the top four teams in the country. No. 3 Arkansas State averaged 224.3 for a 5,607 total on Friday, and the Red Wolves are followed by No. 2 Vanderbilt (5,316), No. 4 Nebraska (5,297) and No. 1 McKendree (5,273). The Penguins topped 200 in 17 of their 25 games and finished the round with seven straight games above 200.

The Penguins bowled a 146 in their first game of the day against Nebraska, but they bounced back with a 212 and dipped below 180 just three times over their final 24 games. A 234 in game five helped the Penguins beat the fourth-ranked Huskers 993-888, and YSU followed with a 1,016-940 win over No. 11 Lincoln Memorial.

Youngstown State's lone loss came against No. 1 McKendree, 1,086-964, but YSU responded with the highest-scoring match in program history regardless of format. The Penguins shot 201, 259, 159, 279, 247 to post a school-record total of 1,145 in a 103-pin victory over No. 9 Maryville. The 279 was the highest Baker game in program history by one pin, and the 1,145 was the top Baker match by seven pins. YSU then bowled at least 202 in all five games against No. 22 Central Missouri and finished the day with a 1,111-1,030 victory over the Jennies.

Youngstown State will compete in traditional play over the final eight matches of the tournament. Saturday's action will begin at 10:10 a.m., and YSU will open against No. 3 Arkansas State.

Friday's Results