TAYLOR, Mich. (April 15, 2011) – The Kutztown University bowling team enhanced its reputation as a national force to be reckoned with during its two-day stay at the NCAA Bowling Championships at Skore Lanes. Four years ago, the Golden Bear bowling team started and it has sprouted into one of America's elite collegiate programs.
Even though the Golden Bears' dream of a national title ended with a 4-2 setback to a University of Maryland-Eastern Shore squad with three members who were a part of the 2008 national title team, Kutztown left the bowling alley with no regrets, plenty to be proud of, and a ton of accomplishments during a memorable campaign in which it became only the second NCAA team to finish with a triple-digit win total.
“I am very proud of my team,” Kutztown head coach Joseph Ambrose said. “They bowled fantastic. I couldn't ask for anything more from them. They went toe-to-toe with every team here and we made a few minor mistakes. Hopefully, we'll be back here next season. This was an incredible experience and worth the four years it took us to get here.”
UMES won the match by winning the first game, 237-222, the third game, 246-204, the fourth game, 228-217 and the sixth game, 224-213. Kutztown won the second game, 227-197 and the fifth game, 226-200.
The Golden Bears' overall performance on Friday was phenomenal. They shined in defeat and sparkled in victory. Kutztown battled No. 1 ranked and reigning NCAA champion Farleigh-Dickinson and Central Missouri State in seven action-packed and gut-wrenching games before being on the opposite ends of 4-3 decisions. KU lost to Northeast Conference (NEC) rival FDU, 4-3, and rallied to beat Central Missouri State after trailing, 2-0 and 3-2.
“We never backed down and everybody bowled amazing today,” senior Kayla Stamm (Reading, PA/Governor Mifflin) said. “I am satisfied with how we performed and that's all you can ask for. We put up a good fight.”
Did they ever.
Instead of going down swinging, the Golden Bears left by rolling strike after strike. The Golden Bears' effort was so impressive that rival coaches took time to congratulate Kutztown and head coach Joseph Ambrose on a fine effort all day. The NCAA committee chair remarked to Ambrose “man, your girls put on a strike showcase for us.”
Kutztown did not lose. A deeper look reveals that Kutztown had six open frames to UMES' two open frames. The Golden Bears forced UMES to raise its game and they proved worthy of competing on bowling's biggest stage. Trailing, 3-1, Kutztown nearly pulled off its best comeback. In its two opening matches against Fairleigh-Dickinson and Central Missouri, Kutztown battled back from 3-2 deficits to force a seventh game.
The Golden Bears nearly did the same thing against the Hawks. After staving off elimination in the fifth game, Kutztown opened the sixth game with three straight strikes. However, UMES answered by rolling five straight strikes. Kutztown got close in the end, but ultimately it ran out of frames.
“Every match we had today was really intense,” junior Samantha Santoro (Reinholds, PA/Cocalico ) said. “We bowled amazing today and gave it everything we had. We weren't going home without a battle.”
Kutztown established a program record for victories in a season while winning the Kutztown Duals, Pennsylvania Classic, Red Flash Invitational, Northeast Conference Meet #2, and the inaugural Pennsylvania State Championships. In addition, the Golden Bears are the first and only Division II program to qualify for the NCAA and United States Bowling Congress national championships in the same year. The Golden Bears will compete in the USBC national championships next weekend in Columbus, Georgia.
Stamm has been with the program since it was born. She had a great experience competing at the NCAA championships. She feels great knowing that program is in terrific hands and that it has the potential to one day claim a national title. The Golden Bears return junior anchor Kayla Jones (Johnstown, PA/Westmont Hilltop ), who had plenty of special moments Friday afternoon, freshman Deanna DiRado (Greensburg, PA/Greensburg Salem), sophomore Jara Cohen (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee), junior Samantha Santoro (Reinholds, PA/Cocalico ), freshman Brooke Bower (Camp Hill, PA/Cedar Cliff), freshman Rebecca Velazquez (Mohegan Lake, NY/Lakeland), sophomore Molly DeMatties (Geneva, NY/Geneva), and freshman Khrystyna Liske (Delta, PA/Kennard Dale).
There were no tears as the Golden Bears were happy with the way they represented Kutztown, Berks County and their families. Cohen interrupted Stamm's postgame interview with a giant hug. As the Golden Bears posed for pictures with their medallions, white bowling pins with the NCAA championship bowling logo on it, they made silly faces and found ways to have fun.”
“I see them winning a national championship soon,” Stamm said. “Being here at nationals, was the most intense experience ever. Our hearts were racing the whole time we were here. It was just amazing being here. We couldn't have bowled any better today. Everybody made good shots and Maryland-Eastern Shore just made a few more shots than we did.”
--KU--
