STRATFORD, N.J. – Thirteenth-ranked North Carolina A&T posted a 4-1 mark on the Northeast Classic bowling tournament second day.
N.C. A&T's Saturday excellence improves the Aggies to 11-2 overall this season. Tournament officials canceled the final day of the event due to inclement weather.
The Aggies Saturday included the team knocking down 4,907 pins and placing three bowlers in the top-10.
Senior Ana Olaya led the way for the second consecutive week after totaling 1,023 pins to average 204.60 over five games as she finished fifth.
N.C. A&T opened with a win over Long Island University, 976-818. It was not the names Aggie fans are accustomed to hearing that led the Aggies in the win. Freshman Melanie Katen led the way by bowling a 209, her top score of the day. Newcomer and sophomore Lauren Tomaszewski came through with a 201.
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) preseason bowler of the year, senior Cameron Strombeck, did contribute mightily with a 198. Junior Ericka Quesada's 185 and Olaya's 183 finished off LIU.
The Aggies then faced St. Francis, where they claimed a 932-812 win. 932-812 win. Strombeck's 211 earned the top honor for the Aggies against SFU. Katen bowled a 196, followed by Quesada's 194.
Duquesne also lost to the Aggies on Saturday. N.C. A&T defeated the No.17-ranked Dukes, 1,010-921. Olaya stepped up big for the Aggies versus the Dukes with a 247 on the day. Strombeck also showed why she is one of the country's best bowlers, posting a 214 against the nationally-ranked foe. Quesada's 190 also contributed to the win.
The only loss of the day for the Aggies came against No. 7 Mount St. Mary's, 994-929. In the close contest, Quesada gave the Aggies a 211 and Katen had a 197. Junior Pamela Warr was also strong in the heartbreaker, bowling a 187.
Olaya helped the Aggies bounce back with her best performance of the day, a 256 in the Aggies 1,075-821 blowout win over Chestnut Hill. Strombeck also sparkled with a 230, and Quesada was the third Aggie to reach 200 as she finished with a 227. Katen finished two pins shy of 200 at 198.
Duquesne finished 45 pins behind N.C. A&T in second with 4,862 total pins. The Delaware State Hornets placed third with 4,755 total pins.
Strombeck finished behind Olaya in seventh with 1,013 total pins to average 202.60 over five games. Quesada ended the day in 10th with 1,007 total pins and a 201.40 average over five games bowled. Katen finished 13th with 973 total pins to post a five-game average of 194.60.
Tomaszewski bowled the first two games, both N.C. A&T wins and totaled 354 pins and a 177.0 average. Warr bowled the final three games and had a solid showing against the Dukes with a 186. She totaled 537 pins and came away with a 177.0 average.
The Aggies return to Baltimore, Md., this weekend for the Morgan State James Brown Invitational from Feb. 12-14.
