Excerpt from the Dayton Daily News
While bowling has been a Wright State University mainstay for close to two decades, this season marks a first — the first time competing as an NCAA team.
Wright State is one of five schools in Ohio to sponsor an NCAA women’s bowling team and there are close to 100 women’s NCAA programs nationwide. The Raiders are embarking on their inaugural NCAA season at the University of Pikeville Orange & Black Classic on Saturday at Poelking Lanes South, but the changes are already being felt.
“It’s very exciting but, some days, it’s also overwhelming,” head coach Jeff Fleck said. “New rules and regulations, forms, processes and guidelines but our focus is on the culture — we are still Wright State bowlers.”
The Wright State women have a history of success as they advanced to the 16-team United States Bowling Congress national tournament seven times between 2009-2017. The women also won the National Collegiate Club Championship in 2015 and 2019 and were runners-up in 2014 and 2016.
There are a lot of new faces this season with only three returning bowlers, along with nine freshmen and a transfer student, but Fleck is confident they are up to the challenge of facing competitive opponents week after week.
