After winning the MEAC Championship for four consecutive years

(2000-2003), the A&T bowling team is working their way back up

to championship status with the help of the additional coaching

staff and players.

After winning the MEAC Championship for four consecutive years (2000-2003), the A&T bowling team is working their way back up to championship status with the help of the additional coaching staff and players.

After last year’s powerhouse Sarah Taylor graduated, April Terry has taken the position of leading the team.

“We have two new assistant coaches this year who are really improving our knowledge and the game and our skill level…We have been working harder this year than we have in the past three years and we have high expectations,” said Terry, senior journalism and mass communications major and native of Greensboro.

With an enormous amount of talent, Terry not only is a leader from a physical standpoint but a leader of positive attitude.

“I expect her to lead this team not only in the bowling alley but outside of it as well, I believe that she can (lead) because she has a real desire for the team to succeed.” said head coach James Williams.

“I don’t believe that the bowling team gets the same respect as the other sports, the most common question the team hears from other students are ‘We have a bowling team?’ said Williams.

“Because bowling is accessible to everyone, it is thought of as a game instead of a sport. I don’t think students or faculty realize the amount of work these athletes put in.” 

These lady Aggies have been training hard this preseason by arranging practices without coaches, two a days, and they have also been practicing on weekends not only in preparation for upcoming matches but for the entire season.

Williams described the ladies work ethics as “there is a different hunger in the eyes of the returning members and the new members are pushing the old members, something we didn’t have last year.”

Sophomores Shameka Williams, Cherise Poole and Kiera Griffin are the younger members of the team but they put in the same amount of work.

Poole is the only one out of the three that is a returning member of the team, contributes to the team in a different aspect because she has more experience.

Poole’s candid conversations with the coaching staff have been instrumental in the positive changes for the team this year.

Williams and Griffin are both new members of the team, and are still trying to find their niche within the team, but they are a major asset to the team’s progress.

“Kiera is more like a quiet assassin she doesn’t talk much but she gets the job done. Shameeka is a ball of energy I can really see her being that extra spark that the team needs when the time comes.” explained Coach Williams

The team is working hard to dominate in divisions. With Norfolk State University and Florida A&M ranking top 20 last season in nationals they must compete at a higher level.

“We have to establish the mindset that we are the best in our division before we can even look at conferences, and that is no easy task.” explained Williams.

Once they accomplish their goal they will be looking forward to competing with the northern division against schools such as Delaware State, Morgan State and Hampton all who had made appearances in the top 20 and MD-Eastern Shore.

The landscape has changed over the years with the MEAC championships making it a power conference in bowling.

“Additions to the coaching staff this year are making huge differences not only in techniques but in positive attitudes and preparation. We are working hard and I honestly believe that this season is the first season to getting back on the right track.” Coach Williams added.

The Bowling team’s first tournament of the season will be the Hampton Roads Collegiate Bowling Invitational in Hampton Roads, Va. on Oct. 21.

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• Meagan Jordan, Contributor