Kutztown University Athletics

Britney D. Reddick

Women's Bowling 01.30.11 By Britney D. Reddick, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

Golden Bears finish fourth at the nation's biggest NCAA tournament, the Kutztown Invitational

PHOTO GALLERY

READING, Pa. (January 30, 2011)—The Kutztown University women's bowling team took pleasure in finishing fourth at the KU Invitational for the third consecutive year, at Hiester Lanes Sunday afternoon.
CLICK HERE FOR TEAM STANDINGS/ CLICK HERE FOR BAKER RESULTS

The Golden Bears (53-18 overall) picked up a 4-2 victory against Northeast Conference (NEC) mate New Jersey City College in the best four of seven baker matches. KU fell to tournament champion, Fairleigh Dickinson 4-0, and Vanderbilt 4-1, who finished third. Samantha Santoro (Reinholds, PA/Cocalico ) earned all-tournament team honors. Santoro, KU's anchor, led it the entire weekend and had a pin fall of 1312 during the tournament.
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore who won the KU Invitational last year, fell to FDU in the championship, finishing in second place.

The previous days of the tournament were full of laughter and tranquility, but Sunday's baker matches were intense as teams used all their efforts to gain wins. But even after competition most teams stayed to recognize those who finished in the top four and were placed on the all-tournament team.

Throughout the competition's entirety, all 28 teams displayed true sportsmanship and love for the sport. The tournament MVP was Thea Aspiras of Norfolk State University. Aspiras finished with a 1332 pin fall. Natalie Cortese of Valparaiso, Jessica Earnest and Brittni Hamilton of Vanderbilt, and Tracy Ganjoin from FDU were also on the all-tournament team.

With it being the Golden Bears first tournament since Dec.5, they look like they haven't skipped a beat. For others though, this tournament has helped them get back into the swing of things.

“It feels pretty good to make all-tournament team,” Santoro said. “The first half of the season I was in a slump and I worked really hard over Christmas break. I went to Team USA trials where I bowled well. This is a spark for me to know that I can do it.”

What also was another attribute of Kutztown's success was its team unity. Even those who weren't in competition cheered until their throats were sore, stood on step ladders to catch all the action, and took turns holding the team mascot for good luck.

All 28 teams had the chance to bowl against some of the nation's elite and top-ranked teams. The Golden Bears are using this tournament for motivation throughout the rest of their season.

“This tournament is going to make us bowl a lot better,” Santoro said. “When we bowl against anybody, ranked or not, we know that we have to bring it.”

“I'm proud of my girls as always,” Kutztown University head coach Joseph Ambrose said. “It'd be nice to be higher but in this field it's pretty good. The last match against Vanderbilt, I couldn't have asked for a better effort out of all of them. The New Jersey City match was a good win because it's a conference opponent. I'm very happy with going 10-5 over the weekend.”

In addition to the Kutztown Invitational, KU played two extra games against Salem International University. In the team match, Heather Miller (Suffern, NY/Suffern ) led the Golden Bears to a 858-657 win. Miller rolled a 211 against SIU. In the four game baker match, Britney Chamuras and Molly DeMatties (Geneva, NY/Geneva) helped Kutztown in the four and five spots. KU defeated the Tigers, 784-465.

KU returns to action Saturday. Feb.5 when it travels to Wallingford, CT for the Northeast Conference Meet # 2 at Sacred Heart University, beginning at 12 p.m.

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