NEW CASTLE, Del. – The Kutztown University bowling team defeated Niagara and William Smith on Saturday while facing three top 15 teams in traditional play on the second day of the three-day Northeast Classic, hosted by Sacred Heart at Deleware's Bowlerama.
The Golden Bears (27-21) sit in 23rd place out of 38 teams with 9,453 pins through 10 matches. Their 4,831 day two average is better than the 4,622 opening day average they achieved through the first five contests. They are currently bowling 189.1 pins per game, the highest among the four East Coast Conference teams in the field.
KU recorded a pair of wins on the day, opening the day against Niagara 1017-962 while winning the fourth of five matches against William Smith 927-829. Niagara, a team recognized alongside the Golden Bears by the National Tenpin Coaches Association, holds a .500 record through the first two days and sits 19th among the 38-team field. Kutztown fell five pins short of an upset of No. 9 Maryville, as they lost to the Saints in the second match 962-957.
Senior Chloe Sromovski (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./G.A.R. Memorial) led the Maroon and Gold in the individual standings, finishing 19th out of 270 bowlers to compete on Saturday. Her 235 games led the team to their opening victory over Niagara, while she is one of 20 bowlers to average at least 215 pins on the day.
Graduate student Megan Hanaway (Forked River, N.J./Lacey Township) averaged 203 pins per game to place 51st, while freshman Kamryn Brenneman (York, Pa./Central York) used a 204 game in the win over William Smith to finish 71st. Juniors Shelby Wunch (Easton, Md./Easton) and Sydney Snyder (Morrisville, Pa./Conwell-Egan Catholic) also bowled all five contests on the second day.
Competition at the Northeast Classic concludes bright and early on Sunday, Jan. 19, where the Golden Bears will compete in three best-of-seven baker matches to determine their final standings.
