Women's Bowling
last updated 11/17/09 02:54 PM

Bowling team adds six, returns five

KUTZTOWN, PA (October 22, 2009) -- The Kutztown University bowling program will add six freshman to its roster, and return five key members. That combination of talent and experience could help the nationally-ranked Golden Bears enjoy a memorable 2009-10 season. 

The three-year old program is ranked 10^th in the preseason National Tenpins Coaches Association (NTCA) Top 20. In addition, the Golden Bears are reigning Northeast Conference regular season champions. Kutztown returns two women from its 2007 inaugural year, junior Kayla Stamm (Mohnton/Governor Mifflin) and senior Stephanie Ray (West Lawn/Wilson). 

“These two women provide the team the leadership and experience it needs,” Ambrose said.  

Stamm, a secondary education major, averaged 186.8 in 74 games last year. Her game high was 257, achieved at St. Francis New Year Knockdown, where the Golden Bears won nine of 10 matches. She became a member of the 2008 NEC All-Champion Tournament Team. Stamm was named the 2007 Division II Rookie of the Year by the National Tenpins Coach’s Association. 

Ray, an elementary education major, will serve as captain this season. She averaged 191.7 over 72 matches for the Golden Bears. Her game high of 244 came at the Northeast Conference Meet #1, where she averaged 192.6 in five matches. Ray was named to the NEC second team. She was also selected as an All-American honorable mention and Academic All-American. 

Also returning for the Golden Bears are Kayla Jones (Johnstown/Westmont Hilltop) and Chelsea Adam (Reading/Exeter), who can expect more playing time this season. 

Jones led the team with an average of 193.7 in 77 games last season. She holds the school record for highest score with 275. Jones was named the NEC 2008-09 and Division II Rookie of the Year and first team all-NEC.  

Adam, a sophomore communication design major boasting a 4.0 GPA, averaged 180.2. A leadoff player who’s “full of spunk” as Ambrose described, Adam posted a career high game of 232 at the Eastern Shore Hawk Classic last year. She was also named to the 2008-09 Coach’s Association All-American Team. 

The Golden Bears have a solid incoming freshman class highlighted by Jessica Abrecht (Brick, N.J./Brick Memorial) and Jara Cohen (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee), who were ranked in the Top 50 High School Prospect. All of the Golden Bears’ recruits averaged 190 or better in high school. 

Abrecht had an illustrious high school career. Averaging 208 in her high school conference matches, she claimed the highest average in the state of New Jersey last year. Abrecht placed fifth at the 2009 New Jersey State Championships. Cohen averaged 200 in high school, but her most memorable moment was when she bowled a 298 of a perfect 300. Expected to bring much talent to the KU program, Cohen was a four-year member of the All-Conference team. 

Molly Dematties (Geneva, N.Y./Geneva) comes from a high school bowling program known for success. Dematties was named team MVP for Geneva High School after averaging a 199 throughout her career. Nicole Gatto (Philadelphia/Archbishop Ryan) averaged a 200 while competing for Archbishop Ryan in the Philadelphia Catholic League. Gatto was named Ryan’s MVP last season. 

Nicole Meyers (Great Neck, N.Y./Great Neck South) averaged 195. She was a member of the All-State team her junior year of high school, and a member of All-County for three years.

Heather Shoemaker (West Milton/Lewisburg) is the first left-handed bowler to join the Kutztown bowling program. Averaging a 195, Shoemaker was a four-time state qualifier, two-time regional all-state member, and a member of the Pennsylvania Junior Bowlers Tour.  

“With the talent this program gained this year, we’re looking to finish in the top eight and qualify for nationals,” Ambrose said. 

The Golden Bears will open its season on Oct. 24, when it hosts the Kutztown Fall Baker Invitational in Reading, PA. Schools joining Kutztown this weekend are Adelphi, St. Francis (NY), St. Peters, Long Island, Cheyney, Lincoln (Pa.), and Penn State-Altoona. The match format is five (5)-game Baker matches, total pins wins each match. In addition, there will be an all-tournament team individually based on each players baker frame average

--KU--