HOUSTON – North Carolina A&T, the seventh-ranked bowling team in the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) top 25 poll, finished the TRACK Kat Klash tournament hosted by Sam Houston State University (SHSU) in third place after Sunday's best-of-seven Baker format play at the Emerald Bowl bowling alley.
A&T totaled 13,501 pins for the weekend for an average of 190.2 in 71 games. The Aggies went 10-3 over the weekend, improving to 18-8 on the young season. Fifth-ranked Wichita State won the tournament with a 13,472 total pinfall. No. 9 Louisiana Tech placed second, followed by A&T, SHSU (13,722), and Newman University (13,059) in the top five.
The Aggies had a strong showing on Saturday in traditional team play, which contributed to their third-place finish. Junior Savannah Burgin had a career day on Saturday, posting 1,000 total pinfall for an average of 200.0 to finish 11th. Senior Juliana Sams also had an excellent Saturday, posting a total pinfall of 1,013 to average 202.60. She finished 11th.
A&T's biggest win on Saturday came against Wichita State. The Aggies defeated the Shockers 959-949, led by freshman Sira Giraldo, who posted a total pinfall of 212. Sophomore Victorya White added a 200 total pinfall in the key win. Sophomore Jasmine Hill and Sams added a 193 and 192, respectively.
Jackson State fell to the Aggies next. A&T defeated the Tigers 990-861. Burgin led the way with a career performance, posting a 236 total pinfall. Giraldo added a 208 to aid A&T. The Aggies had a bye next, posting a 960 total pinfall. Sams led A&T by bowling a 207, and Burgin posted a 204 total pinfall. Sams also performed well against Alabama State.
Sams bowled a 216 in the Aggies' 917-782 win over the Hornets. Burgin's added a 202 to improve the Aggies to 3-0 on the day. Saturday ended with the Aggies losing to Newman 1,001-939. Sams led the Aggies with a 218 total pinfall. Alabama State transfer Payton Hartgrove contributed a 206, and Burgins added a 196.In addtional Baker play on Sunday, the Aggies defeated the Lady Techsters 995-933. A&T then defeated Southern University, 978-806.
A&T opened best-of-seven Baker bracket play against host and eighth-ranked SHSU. The Bearkats opened the best-of-seven by winning the first two games before the Aggies rebounded and won Game 3, 187-182. A&T also looked impressive in Game 4, winning 221-174 before taking a 3-2 lead in the series with a 214-202 win. The Aggies won the series 4-2 with a 194-167 win over the Bearkats. The Bearkats did out-pin the Aggies 1,122-1,036.
The Aggies will enter conference play this weekend, as Morgan State University hosts the first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Meet in Baltimore on November 8-9.
