KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Coming off a historic 2024-25 season that featured the second postseason appearance in program history, the Kutztown University women's bowling team was recognized in the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) Preseason Polls, receiving votes in the overall polls while placing ninth in the DII/DIII rankings, the organization announced on Wednesday.
The Golden Bears (64-45 overall in 2024-25) were featured in both polls throughout its historic season, and its national recognition continues into the upcoming season. KU returns two of its three East Coast Conference honorees from a season ago – Coach of the Year
Angela Reynolds and Rookie of the Year
Kamryn Brenneman (York, Pa./Central York) – along with a senior class that includes
Shelby Wunch (Easton, Md./Easton),
Sydney Snyder (Morrisville, Pa./Conwell-Egan Catholic) and
Madison Brenneman (York, Pa./Central York).
The team's .590 win-loss percentage ranked 22nd in the nation, while its predetermined rating percentage index (RPI) mark of .533 placed them in a tie for No. 32 in the nation. Individually,
Kamryn Brenneman (York, Pa./Central York) was among the best rookies in the nation, garnering All-Rookie Second Team honors from the NTCA while helping lead the charge to one of the team's best seasons in recent memory.
The All-Division Poll saw reigning national runners-up Jacksonville State take the top spot, claiming 14 of the 44 total first-place votes. Conference USA foes Nebraska (No. 2, seven first-place votes) and Vanderbilt (No. 3, seven first-place votes) hold the two spots behind the Gamecocks, while reigning national champion Youngstown State opens the season in fourth despite being the top team in 16 of the 44 ballots. KU is one of 12 teams receiving votes for the polls, a list that has expanded from the ten teams it had from a season ago. Of the teams that Kutztown faced in last year's NCAA Regional competition, No. 2 Nebraska, No. 6 Arkansas State and No. 10 Maryville open the season in the polls.
The DII/DIII Poll is topped by Maryville of the Great Lakes Valley Conference, followed by Wisconsin-Whitewater and McKendree in the top three. KU is the only East Coast Conference team recognized in the polls, while they sit ahead of No. 10 Marian and three additional teams receiving votes heading into the 2025-26 campaign.
The Maroon and Gold were voted as favorites to repeat as East Coast Conference Champions in the conference's preseason poll on Monday, five votes ahead of second-place Bryant and ahead of just ahead of second-place Bryant and ahead of reigning ECC Championship runners-up Roberts Wesleyan, who rounded out the top three. Kutztown collected six first-place votes, while Bryant claimed a pair and Roberts Wesleyan snagged the remaining vote.
The Golden Bears open its season at the Bud Whitman Memorial Tournament on October 11-12, followed by the home Golden Bear Invite at Berks Lanes in Sinking Spring, Pa., on November 1-2. The ECC Championship Tournament is set to take place on March 20-22, following the conclusion of the team's nine-event NCAA schedule and lone United States Bowling Congress (USBC) event.
