Women's Bowling | 12/8/2014 9:19:00 PM
MILLSBORO, Del. – Coppin State freshman
Jasmine Newman enjoyed a record-setting day at the second Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Northern Division Meet at Millsboro Lanes this past weekend.
On Saturday, Dec. 6, Newman bowled a school-record and career-high 266 against Delaware State. The previous mark was 246 by teammate
Kristen Sharpe set last year. Newman's performance placed her seventh overall with a 189.4 average through five traditional team matches.
To say Newman was surprised might be an understatement.
"I had five strikes in the first five frames," Newman said. "I wasn't trying to boost myself up too much because I didn't want to mess up. I picked up a spare in the sixth frame and then had more strikes from there. I thought maybe I would get a 230. When I saw 266, I couldn't even fathom it. My mind was blown."
Newman couldn't predict that her father signing her up to bowl with her local Christian league would result in a collegiate bowling career and status as a record holder.
"I started in the eighth grade after my dad signed me up for a Christian league with my god brother," Newman said. "I didn't take it very seriously. My freshman year in high school is when I started really getting into my youth league and spent four years there. I think my junior year is when I realized I wanted to continue bowling in college so I started looking into school's that had bowling."
Luckily, Newman had made enough of an impression in the youth league circuit to attract the attention of Division I coaches.
"Coppin State reached out to me," Newman said. "The former head coach sought me out and I was really shocked that he really wanted me to play for his team. I was taken aback but it really stood out to me. Coppin State was on the top of my list from that alone. After them reaching out, giving me a scholarship, and coming to visit I was sure. I loved the campus and the feel of it. It felt like a home away from home so I definitely had to choose Coppin."
This is not the first time that Newman had a top notch performance. She rolled her previous career-best 216 pins against Virginia State in the second meet of the season at the FDU Jamboree.
However, setting a school record takes the cake.
"I had no idea 266 was a school record until I read the article on the athletic website," Newman said with glee. "I was really proud of myself. I posted the article on my Facebook page. I was crying, completely overwhelmed thinking there was no way I set a school record, especially my freshman year. I was in awe of myself knowing I did that. I can only imagine what's going to happen in the years to come."
As a freshman, Newman looks up to her seasoned teammates, especially Sharpe, who is one of the best competitors for the Eagles. Her 176.2 average and 231 pins against Hampton helped her finish 10th overall this weekend in the traditional team matches. This is the fifth time Sharpe has rolled over 200 since the start of the 2013 season.
Looking ahead, the Eagles have over a month to prepare for the Lady Bulldog Classic at Bowie State University on Jan.16-18.
Newman will be ready for an encore.
