The Youngstown State bowling program is ranked second in the February release of the National Tenpin Coaches Association Top 25 Poll. That is the highest ranking in school history, one position higher than YSU was slotted in the December poll.

Youngstown State was ranked sixth in the 2023-24 preseason poll, which was its highest preseason ranking, and it has been third and second in the two in-season releases. Before the third-place ranking in December, the highest position ever for the Penguins was fifth to close the 2020-21 campaign.

Fellow Conference USA member Jacksonville State was listed on the top line of all 43 submitted ballots, and the Gamecocks received 1,680 points in the poll. Youngstown State received 1,446 points, four more than third-ranked Arkansas State. North Carolina A&T is fourth with 1,412 points, and there is an 88-point gap between the Aggies and fifth-ranked Vanderbilt.

All nine Conference USA schools are ranked in the top 20 of the poll, and eight are in ranked among the top 12. In addition to Jax State, YSU, Arkansas State and Vanderbilt being in the top five, Louisiana Tech is seventh, Stephen F. Austin is eighth, Sam Houston is 11th, Tulane is 12th, and Valparaiso is 20th.

The Penguins have finished fourth or better in all six of their tournaments in 2023-24, and they have posted an impressive 56-22 head-to-head record for a .718 winning percentage. Youngstown State is ranked third in the RPI, and it has bowled the second-toughest schedule in the country. YSU is an impressive 21-16 against the other nine teams ranked in the top 10 of the RPI.

Youngstown State's next tournament will be Arkansas State's Mid-Winter Invitational on Feb. 16-18 in Jonesboro, Ark.