Women's Bowling | 9/24/2015 2:12:00 PM
BALTIMORE – First-year head coach
Shaunita Middleton revealed the 2015-16 Coppin State bowling schedule, which is highlighted by the Lady Eagles hosting one of the three Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Northern Division meets.
"We are excited about being able to host one of the MEAC meets," Middleton said. "That weekend will be an opportunity for our fans and students to be able to come out and support us. I know my young ladies are happy to be able to bowl close to campus during the season."
Overall, the Lady Eagles will compete in nine tournaments in five different states. The climax of the regular season slate is a weekend home event in which Coppin State will host the first MEAC Northern Division meet on Saturday, Nov. 14 & Sunday, Nov. 15 at Towson's AMF Lanes.
"It's a good feeling," sophomore
Jasmine Newman said of hosting one of the MEAC Northern Division meets. "It also means that we're important. Although Coppin State is small, it gives us a chance to show our skills and take pride in hosting an event. We are looking forward to that weekend."
Coppin State will begin its 2015-16 season at the Kutztown Fall Classic on Saturday, Oct. 17. It will be a one-day baker format event. For Coppin State, it will be the first of two trips to Kutztown during the season. The Lady Eagles will also compete in the Kutztown Classic, the largest NCAA sponsored bowling event in the country, during the weekend of Friday, Jan. 22 through Sunday, Jan. 24.
"I am excited because I seen a lot of schools hosting and was wondering when are going to host. It means we're important although CSU is small and gives us an opportunity to show off and take pride in hosting an event. A good feeling."
Before hosting the first MEAC Northern Division meet, Coppin State will compete at the Hampton Roads Collegiate Classic (Oct. 24-25) and FDU Jamboree (Oct. 30-Nov. 1). In addition to two additional MEAC Northern Division meets on the weekends of Dec. 5-6 (Dover, Del.) and Feb. 27-28 (Millsboro, Del.), the Lady Eagles will also compete in the UMES Hawk Classic (Nov. 20-22) and Saint Francis Red Flash Invitational (Jan. 29-31).
The MEAC Championships are once again housed at AMF Lanes in Chesapeake, Virginia, as Norfolk State serves as the host institution for the fourth-straight year. The tournament runs March 24-26.
Should Coppin State qualify, the NCAA Championship will be held April 14-16 in North Brunswick, N.J., and the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championship will take place in Wichita, Kansas from April 20-23.
Specific starting times for each tournament will be announced closer to those dates.
Coppin State returns two of its top three bowlers from last season's team in senior
Kristen Sharpe and Newman. Also returning will be senior
Shelby Mendoza, junior
Brionca Beard and sophomore
Shawdae Frederick. Sophomore
Erica Monk joins the team as well this season.
"We are looking forward to being able to compete against the different levels of talent during the year," Middleton said. "This season looks very promising for our bowlers to be in the position to compete. It's going to take a lot of hard work, sacrifice and dedication to achieve all individual and team goals we have set forth for the season. They are ecstatic for the development and team plan that I have established and have reassured me that they are up for the challenge."
