Penguins Earn Two Top-Five Wins, Qualify Third at Northeast Classic

Saturday, January 22

Deptford, N.J. (Bowlero Deptford)

9:25 AM

Youngstown State University

3-2

Northeast Classic

Photo by: Dave Dermer

Penguins Earn Two Top-Five Wins, Qualify Third at Northeast Classic

1/22/2022 12:00:00 AM | Bowling

The Youngstown State bowling team earned a pair of wins over top-five ranked opponents and put itself in a chance to compete for a tournament title on Saturday at the Northeast Classic.

The Penguins went 3-2 in head-to-head traditional matches on Saturday, and they added 5,075 pins to their record-breaking total from Friday to earn the third position in qualifying. Youngstown State finished three pins behind Vanderbilt with 10,396 pins in their 10 qualifying matches, meaning YSU will have to go 3-0 in bracket play on Sunday to take home the tournament championship.

The 5,075 score from Saturday was the second-highest total pinfall for a traditional round in program history. Add in the 5,321 total from Friday's Baker round, the Penguins averaged an impressive 207.9 in qualifying.

"We battled today and I'm very proud of our effort," said YSU head coach Doug Kuberski. "While the big strings of strikes weren't there today, the shot-making and spare shooting were just as good as they were Friday. We also gathered some good info during transitions to take into tomorrow. Overall, I love where we are as a team and can't wait for a fun championship Sunday."

The No. 8 Penguins began the day with a 1,029-915 victory over fifth-ranked Vanderbilt, which had the top pinfall in the field on Friday. YSU then topped fourth-ranked North Carolina A&T 1,048-994, and the Penguins' highest-scoring match of the day followed in a 1,059-928 win over No. 19 Sacred Heart. Youngstown State dropped its final two head-to-head decisions, 970-952 to No. 15 Fairleigh Dickinson and 1,042-987 to No. 9 Mount St. Mary's.

Individually, Emma Wrenn had the second-best five-game set of her career with a 1,076 that allowed her to tie for 16th place in the talented field. Megan Grams was 11 pins behind Wrenn with a 1,065 that slotted her 23rd, and Kirsten Moore finished 30th with a 1,039 set. Additionally, Jade Cote placed 58th with a five-game set of 949, and Madyson Marx was one spot behind her with a 946.

Youngstown State will begin bracket play against No. 1 Sam Houston on Sunday at 8:25 a.m. The Bearkats qualified fourth, and the top two qualifiers were McKendree and Vanderbilt.

Saturday's Traditional Match Results