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March 18, 2010
FAYETTEVILLE - The final chase for Fayetteville State's second conference bowling title begins on Saturday. FSU, the Western Division's top seed and 2006 Runner-Ups, will compete in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Bowling Championships at AMF Lanes in Durham. A pre-tournament ceremony to announce teams, lane assignments and a brief awards presentation will begin at 11:50 am. The All-CIAA Team members and Divisional Title winners will also be announced during this time. Team play begins at 12:55 p.m. and continues through Monday. On Sunday, teams will compete in Baker play beginning at 9:25 a.m. After a break for lunch and final rankings, teams will continue Baker play in a double-elimination bracket format. On Monday, the quarterfinals, semifinals and championship matches will take place, starting at 9:20 a.m. With two-time Bowler of the Month Akira Turner (Detroit, MI) leading the way, FSU won its seventh-straight Western Division title and finished the season 60-2 in CIAA play. At the Western Division Round-Up in March, the Broncos became the first team in CIAA history to average 1,000 or more pins per match for the weekend in team play (1000.2). FSU also became the first team to average 900 or more in team score for an entire season. As a team, the Broncos bowled 200 or more 52 times with Turner's 266 at the CIAA Western Division Round-Up in March - the highest individual game of the year. "This is the strongest team I've ever had," said FSU Head Coach Bobby Henderson. "They're even better than the 2007 CIAA Championship team and the team that went to nationals (NCAA Elite Eight in 2004). I've never had a team where I've had seven people capable of averaging 180 or more." Senior Jessica Styers, a member of the All-CIAA team and native of Fayetteville, was named Western Division Bowler of the Month in February after averaging 188.6 pins per match in the February conference Round-Up.
"She brings a little of what I call coolness," said Henderson. "She's been here four years, has the experience bowling in the tournament and is a heck of a bowler. I call her my stabilizer, because when things get tough she can bring the team together and boost them up." Along with Turner and Styers, junior Clarisse Bible (Braunfels, TX) and freshman Jessica Collins (Fayetteville, NC) were named to the All-CIAA team. All four bowlers have multiple games of 200 or more this season. The Broncos' talent doesn't end with their four All-conference selections, however. Freshmen Jamie Donnelly (Fayetteville, NC), who received a CIAA Rookie of the Month award in November, Sophomore Kiara Reid (Rocky Mount, NC) and Kelly Wakerhauser (Portage, WI) are all capable of bowling games of 200 or more. "What I go out and recruit for in bowlers is that kind of capability," Henderson said. "I knew they could do it, it's just a matter of them concentrating and focusing." Turner was a freshman on FSU's 2007 championship squad. She hopes the Broncos can give her the same feeling this weekend as they did three years ago. "Words can't even explain how much it would mean to me," she said. "I would be so happy about it and so excited." SCHEDULE OF EVENTS – AMF Bowling Lanes in Durham, NC ( 4508 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd. – Durham, NC 27707) Saturday– March 20, 2010 11:50am – Noon Announce Teams / Lanes Assignment / Welcome Address Noon - 12:30pm Bowling Awards Program 12:55pm – 7:00pm Team Match One thru Six Sunday – March 21, 2010 9:25am – Noon Baker Match 1 thru 4 12:05pm – 2:05pm Lunch Break – Conference & Final Ranking 2:35pm – 4:00pm Baker Match Elimination 2 round : Baker - 4 out of 7 Double Elimination Bracket Format (8 Teams) Monday – March 22, 2010 9:20am to 3:00pm Finals – Quarter Finals, Semi-Finals and Championship Game |
