ELMWOOD PARK, N.J. – The 12th ranked Kutztown University women's bowling team finished fifth at the Fairleigh Dickinson Jamboree, after competing in two best-of-seven baker position rounds. The Golden Bears were eighth after day two, and were able to bowl their way up into the fifth slot at the conclusion of competition on Sunday, ending with a 9-3 record for the weekend.  

In the first match of day three, the team averaged 205 for five baker games, defeating 13th-ranked Sacred Heart University, 4-1. During the match for fifth place, the Golden Bears faced second-ranked Vanderbilt University for the second time during the same tournament, ultimately winning 4-2. 

"I'm absolutely thrilled at how the team did this weekend," head coach Joseph Ambrose said. "We won several close matches against the best teams in the nation; there is nothing better than that." 

Senior Brooke Bower (Camp Hill, PA/Cedar Cliff) led the Golden Bears for the day, averaging 22.2 for 20 frames, with only one open. Senior Christine Gordon (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) struck 10 out of 20 shots, averaging 19.9.
 
Sophomores Lauren Stamm (Shillington, PA/Governor Mifflin) and Kayla Maselkevich (Drums, PA/Hazleton Area) also contributed to the team's success with baker frame averages of 18.6 and 18.9, respectively. Bowling the majority of the day, seniors Rebecca Velazquez (Mohegan Lake, NY/Lakeland) and Deanna DiRado (Greensburg, PA/Greensburg Salem) had baker frame averages of 18.5 and 16.2, respectively. 

Bower and Gordon also earned all-tournament honors for their performances on the second day of competition. Gordon averaged 200.3 for six traditional games, and Bower was close behind her with a 198.3 average. 

"I am extremely proud of the way this team bowled this weekend," Bower commented. "This boost of confidence is exactly what we needed to have going into our conference meet next weekend."

Kutztown competes next Saturday, Nov. 9, at the first NEC Conference Meet of the season.