EAST GREENSBORO – The North Carolina A&T bowling team finally got a chance to play in front of their home fans in person. So naturally, the Aggies decided to leave the home folks with something to remember. What's even better, the memorable moment helped the Aggies take a step forward toward another Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) regular-season championship. 

Junior Melanie Katen bowled the program's first-ever 300-perfect game on Saturday during the first day of MEAC Meet #2 at Triad Lanes. The Aggies, the sixth-ranked team in the nation in the latest National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA), used the historic moment to produce a 4-1 record in traditional play.

A&T improved to 65-24 on the season and 12-1 in the MEAC. The Aggies hold a 2 1/2 game lead over 10th-ranked University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) and 16th-ranked Delaware State, who both went 3-1 on Saturday to improve to 9-3 in the conference. 

The Aggies led the way with 5,118 total pins for a five-game average of 204.7. They went over 1,000 pins in three of the five matches they bowled on Saturday, including the third match, where Katen posted a 300 to lead the Aggies to a 1,153-892 win over the Howard Bison. 

Senior Lauren Tomaszewski added 246 and Avilez posted 227 in the win over the Bison. Katen, the 2022 MEAC bowler of the year, leads the tournament individually with 1,173 total pins, averaging 234.60 over five games as she went over 200 pins four times.

"We have been waiting for Melanie to find her stride this semester. It was great to witness," said A&T head coach Kim Terrell-Kearney on Katen's 300 game. 

Two more Aggies are in the top-5, with Maya Avilez in third, totaling 1,042 pins to average 208.40 as she also had four 200-plus-pin games. Sophomore Chloe Newberry is in fourth with 1,029 pins (205.80). 

The Aggies did not get off to a hot start but came away with a victory as they downed Norfolk State 891-834 as Katen's 201 and Avilez's 200 led the way. Katen then indicated she was ready to make A&T history as she bowled a 256 in a 1,081-1,011 win over the Monmouth Hawks. Newberry bowled a 257 to complement Katen's effort as the Aggies withstood a 235 by Syah Sweeny. 

After the Howard win, Delaware State handed the Aggies their first conference by defeating A&T 948-916 as Avilez led the way with a 204. Junior Laura Garcia bowled a 199. The Aggies ended the day with a 1,077-1,000 win over 24th-ranked Morgan State. Newberry led the Aggies with a 257, and Katen bounced back from a 181 against Del State to bowl a 235. 

The Aggies will play four additional matches on Sunday starting at 8:30 a.m.