Lincoln Memorial Tops ECC Women's Bowling Preseason Poll

Lincoln Memorial Tops ECC Women's Bowling Preseason Poll

West Babylon, N.Y. - The women's bowling coaches of the East Coast Conference have selected reigning champion, Lincoln Memorial University, as the favorite to capture the league title once again during the 2018-19 season. Lincoln Memorial sophomore, Justine Brookover (Parkersburg, W.Va.), was also the coaches' pick as the conference's Preseason Bowler of the Year.

Lincoln Memorial received nine out of 13 first place votes to top the poll with 164 points. A season ago, the Lady Railsplitters thrived in only their second season as a collegiate program. Lincoln Memorial claimed their first-ever ECC Championship and became the first team in league history to compete in the NCAA Championship. LMU, who begins the season ranked No. 14 in the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) Preseason Top 25 poll, returns nine bowlers to this year's roster, including Brookover.

Brookover had an outstanding debut season for Lincoln Memorial in 2017-18. A four-time ECC weekly award honoree, Brookover finished the season ranked in the top-50 across the NCAA in traditional frame average, overall frame average, Baker frame average, and filled frame percentage. In addition, she ranked among the top-five in the ECC in numerous statistical categories and led the league with a lowest split leave percentage of 6.9 percent. For her efforts, Brookover earned ECC and NTCA Division II/Division III Rookie of the Year honors.

Adelphi, who is right behind Lincoln Memorial in the NTCA Preseason Poll at No. 15, come in at No. 2 in the ECC poll with three first place votes and 158 points. The Panthers, winners of the first two ECC Women's Bowling Championships in 2016 and 2017, are looking to claim their third ECC title in four years.

Kutztown, another ECC squad to be listed in the NTCA Preseason Poll with a ranking of No. 24, is next in the conference poll at No. 3. Daemen, a semifinal participant at the 2018 ECC Championship, and conference newcomer Caldwell, round out the poll's top-five. LIU Post, who is No. 10 in the poll, received the final first place vote.

2018-19 ECC Women's Bowling Preseason Poll

School Pts.
1. Lincoln Memorial (9) 164
2. Adelphi (3) 158
3. Kutztown 130
4. Daemen 110
5. Caldwell 105
6. Chestnut Hill 91
7. Molloy 88
8. Wilmington 85
9. Felician 80
10. LIU Post (1) 71
11. Roberts Wesleyan 49
12. Bloomfield 35
13. St. Thomas Aquinas      17


( ) - first place votes