Behind three top-two finishes in the fall semester, the Youngstown State bowling team is ranked third in the National Tenpin Coaches Association's Top 25 Poll for December. That is the highest ranking for the Penguins in the program's eight-year history.
The Penguins also received their first-ever first-place vote in the poll, and they climbed three spots from the preseason rankings. YSU was sixth in the preseason poll, which was its highest ranking entering a season, and the highest ranking for the program was previously fifth in the final poll of the 2020-21 campaign.
Youngstown State received 1,645 total points in the poll, and it was listed at the top on one of the 50 ballots submitted. The Penguins were firmly planted in that third slot, 155 points behind second-ranked Vanderbilt and 84 points ahead of fourth-ranked Louisiana Tech.
YSU began the season with a runner-up finish at the Penguin Classic, and it followed that up by winning the Destination Orlando: Sunshine State Classic. The Penguins then finished fourth at the MOTIV Ladyjack Classic, and they ended the semester with a runner-up finish at the Hawk Classic. Youngstown State split championship-match encounters with Jacksonville State during the fall, prevailing at Destination Orlando and coming up short at the Hawk Classic. The Penguins placed ahead of Vanderbilt in two of the three tournaments in which they both competed.
All nine members of Conference USA were ranked in the top 19 of the poll, and five of the top six teams in Youngstown State's conference. In addition to Jacksonville State, Vanderbilt, YSU and La Tech occupying the top four spots, Arkansas State is ranked sixth. Stephen F. Austin is slotted ninth, Sam Houston is 11th, Tulane jumped 10 spots from 22nd to 12th, and Valparaiso moved into the top 25 at 19th.
In addition to the team's overall success, Youngstown State's student-athletes had impressive individual accomplishments during the fall semester. Kirsten Moore, Jade Cote and Madyson Marx earned MVP honors at YSU's first three events, and Madison Doseck was named to the All-Tournament Team at the MOTIV Ladyjack Classic. Seven of YSU's 10 bowlers recorded a game of at least 255 during the semester.
Youngstown State will resume competition after the semester break at the Northeast Classic on Jan. 19-21.
