NORFOLK, Va. – The No. 19 Norfolk State bowling team maintained first place in the MEAC South after going 8-2 over the weekend at the MEAC Southern Divisional at the AMF Lanes in Chesapeake.

The Spartans posted a 5-0 record on the first day of competition Saturday in the team format, then went 3-2 on Sunday in the Baker games in the second of three MEAC meets this year.

NSU held down first place in the South Division coming into the weekend at 6-2 following the first MEAC Southern Divisional Nov. 13-14. Following a 7-1 record this weekend against MEAC teams – North Carolina Central will not be eligible until next season – NSU now stands 13-3, with Florida A&M in second at 11-5.

After posting the school record for wins in a season last year with a 67-56 overall record, the Spartans improved to 28-15 this season.

FAMU also went 8-2 this weekend, while North Carolina Central carried a 5-5 record. The other three teams at the tournament, South Carolina State, North Carolina A&T, and Bethune-Cookman, all had 3-7 marks.

Sophomore Lauren Graupmann and junior Sheila-Marie Smith led the way for the Spartans, averaging 187.0 and 186.8, respectively, the third- and fourth-highest averages overall. Smith also rolled the highest game on the weekend for the Spartans with a 204.

Freshman Thea Aspiras boasted a 178.4 average, while junior Chelsea Krall rolled a 172.0 average for all five games. Sophomore Jessica Overton averaged 163.5 in four games, while senior Antoinette Drakeford bowled a 147 in her only game on Saturday.

The Saturday sweep began with a 911-718 win over North Carolina A&T, which was followed by wins over North Carolina Central, 877-811, and Florida A&M, 888-804. NSU defeated South Carolina State, 873-825, and Bethune-Cookman, 873-749, to cap off the perfect day.

On Sunday, NSU defeated B-CU in the Baker game format, 712-650, then suffered its first defeat of the weekend, 740-729, to FAMU. The Spartans rebounded with a 633-586 victory over South Carolina State before falling to North Carolina Central, 713-695. NSU capped off the weekend by taking down N.C. A&T, 753-655.

NSU will not return to competition until after the New Year at the last MEAC Southern Divisional of the season Jan. 8-9 in Tallahassee, Fla.