Norfolk State Wins 2012 Bowling Championship

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- Norfolk State University defeated Bethune-Cookman University, 4-0, en route to their first-ever Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Bowling Championship title on Sunday afternoon at Gate City Lanes in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The No. 4 Spartans dominated the match winning 177-160, 209-168, 199-185 and 183-171 in Baker play.

No. 6 Bethune-Cookman battled the defending MEAC and NCAA national champion No. 2 Maryland Eastern Shore Lady Hawks during the morning's semifinal match. The Lady Hawks won the first Baker game by one pin to take the 1-0 lead. Bethune-Cookman rallied back and won the next four games to earn their place in the final.

NSU's Thea Aspiras earned Outstanding Tournament Performer honors. "I am so happy I made it this far with my team, said Aspiras. Our hard work paid off." Aspiras led the Spartans with a 201.5 averaged during the five team games.

2011/12 MEAC BOWING CHAMPIONS
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPARTANS
ROSTER  

Head Coach Wilhemina Harrison of Norfolk State was named Outstanding Coach for the first time in her career. "We talked before we came to the championship about our game plan, explained Harrison. We didn't have a great day the first day but we came back yesterday and stayed positive. We stuck to our game plan today and were able to win.

Joining Aspiras on the All-Tournament Team is Staci Hilliard of Bethune-Cookman, T'Nia Falbo of Maryland Eastern Shore, Delaware State's Jazmyne Hefflefinger, and Lauren Graupmann of Norfolk State.

The MEAC Bowling championship finale will air in a tape-delayed format on Monday, March 26 at 10 p.m. on ESPNU.

For more information on MEAC Bowling or other sponsored sports, visit www.meacsports.com.

2012 MEAC All-Tournament Team

Jazyme Hefflefinger, Delaware State University

T'Nia Falbo, University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Staci Hilliard, Bethune-Cookman University

Lauren Graupmann, Norfolk State University
Thea Aspiras, Norfolk State University

Outstanding Performer: Thea Aspiras, Norfolk State University
Outstanding Coach: Wilhelmenia Harrison, Norfolk State University

COURTESY MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS