RESULTS

ALTOONA, Pa. (February 25, 2012)— The Kutztown University bowling team went 4-0 and is in first place following  the first day of the Pennsylvania NCAA State Championships being hosted by Penn State-Altoona at Holiday Lanes in Altoona.

The Golden Bears (52-32 overall) won the inaugural event last year. Kutztown has a team pinfall of 4580 and is the only team competing in the event who went undefeated on Saturday.

Saturday's competition included five traditional team games, with one being a bye match.

Northeast Conference (NEC) mate, St. Francis-Pa. is in second (4273), followed by Cheney University in third (3836), PSU-Altoona in fourth (3719) and Lincoln University in fifth (3459).

Sophomore Brooke Bower (Camp Hill, PA/Cedar Cliff) (Camp Hill, Pa./ Cedar Cliff) led Kutztown with a 215 in its 903-745 win over PSU-Altoona. Senior Kayla Jones (Johnstown, PA/Westmont Hilltop ) (Johnstown, Pa./Westmont Hilltop) finished with a 189 followed by Jara Cohen (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) (Marlton, N.J./ Cherokee) with a 185.

The Golden Bears defeated Cheyney 947-846, where Jones rolled a game-high 243. In KU's 929-742 win over Lincoln, it was led by Rebecca Velazquez (Mohegan Lake, NY/Lakeland) (Mohegan Lake, N.Y./ Lakeland) who tabbed a 203. Against St. Francis, Bower led with a 191 to lead Kutztown to a 922-899 victory.

“Kutztown grinded hard today on tough conditions,” Kutztown University head coach Joseph Ambrose said. “We hope to keep this lead and defend our Pennsylvania State title on Sunday.”

Sunday's competition will feature the best four-of-seven baker matches beginning at 9 a.m. The all-tournament team will consist of the top five bowlers with the highest average during Saturday and will be announced on Sunday.