NORFOLK, Va. – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced the preseason order of finish and individual honors Wednesday, with Bethune-Cookman selected to finish third out of the South Division.
The preseason poll and all-conference team selections are voted by the MEAC's head bowling coaches and sports information directors.
Under the direction of head coach Tony O'Neal, the Wildcats finished last season with a record of 60-65 (10-14 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference). They would go on to finish the MEAC Championships with a final day mark of 2-2, also ending the year tied for No. 20 in the final NTCA poll.
In the southern division, the North Carolina A&T Lady Aggies were picked to finish second with a total of 159 points. Bethune-Cookman was predicted to finish third with 154 points. Florida A&M (150) and North Carolina Central (126) completed the southern division predictions with fourth and fifth place finishes, respectively.
In the North Division, Maryland Eastern Shore received 14 of the 19 first-place votes. The Lady Hawks completed the 2012-2013 season with a 27-3 mark in conference and a 120-26 overall record. Norfolk State garnered 15 of the 19 first-place votes in this season's preseason poll. The Spartans recorded a 21-3 MEAC mark and 63-34 overall record last year.
Delaware State was predicted to finish second in the northern division with 177 points. Hampton (163) was chosen to finish third in the north followed by Howard (132), Morgan State (130) and Coppin State (101).
The Preseason All-MEAC Team was headlined by Preseason Bowler of the Year Thea Aspiras (Norfolk State). Joining her on the team was Mariana Alvardo (UMES), Megan Buja (UMES), Carrie Hopkinson (FAMU) and Emily Strombeck (N.C. A&T).
The Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman open the year at the Tulane Invitational on Oct. 18-20 in New Orleans, La.
The MEAC Bowling Championship tournament is scheduled for March 21-23, 2014.
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