WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Norfolk State women's bowling team got its 2009-10 season off to a stellar start by winning the Down South Open hosted by Winston-Salem State this weekend.

The Spartans posted an 8-2 record, going 4-1 both in Saturday's team games and in Sunday's baker games. They were led by junior Cathryn Myrick (Virginia Beach, Va.), who won tournament MVP honors with a high average of 191.4 pins.

NSU started the competition off with wins over Hampton (830-746), North Carolina Central (874-712), Elizabeth City State (882-833) and Alabama State (862-785). The Spartans' lone loss in the team games came to Prairie View A&M, 887-849. Myrick bowled three 200+ games, with 212 vs. Hampton, 211 vs. ECSU and 203 vs. ASU.

Freshmen Jessica Overton (Mechanicsville, Va.) and Lauren Graupmann (Chesapeake, Va.) also fared well in their first collegiate action. Both bowled in four of the five team games, with Overton recording the day's fifth-highest average (185.8) and Graupmann the ninth-best (174). Overton (204) and Graupmann (190) both had their best games in the win over NCCU, while sophomore Chelsea Krall (Virginia Beach, Va.) was impressive with a 193 in the loss to PVAMU.

NSU then won four of five baker games on Sunday with wins over North Carolina A&T, PVAMU, Hampton and ASU.

The Spartans' next competition is their MEAC South opener on Nov. 7-8 back in Winston-Salem.