NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State bowling team makes its 2021-22 season debut this weekend at the three-day Virginia Union Invitational in Glen Allen. The event starts Friday and runs through Sunday.
The event is the first of six regular-season competitions for the Spartans, who return five letterwinners and welcome three newcomers to the squad this year.
The weekend meet also marks the head coaching debut of
Aundray Darden, the long-time Spartan assistant who takes over the helm of the program this season.
Senior
Crystal Brewer and junior Chantel Staton lead the returners. Brewer was the team's leading bowler in head-to-head games last year, averaging 181.8 pins per game in the team's three meets. Staton wasn't far behind, with a 174.8 average.
Trinity Gray,
Megan Wheat and
Dieonjonai Haupt are also back for the Spartans. Gray, a senior, averaged 162.3 in two meets last season with a high game of 193. Wheat, a junior, checked in with a 160.9 average last year with a top average of 181.0 at the N.C. A&T Dual Meet in February. Haupt, another senior, averaged a career-best 140.4 in her one meet, at Coppin State, with a high game of 164.
Darden also welcomes three new local bowlers to the team's roster. Sophomore
Kayla Barnes, a Norfolk native, transferred from Elizabeth City State, where she had a high game of 171 as a freshman.
Jalaya Allen (Portsmouth) and
Jazmin Esquibel (Chesapeake) are two high school products who will compete for spots in NSU's lineup this season and beyond.
In addition to this weekend's invitational, the Spartans also have the first MEAC meet in Baltimore and the Coppin State Lady Eagles Invitational in November. Following the semester and holiday break, NSU has the second conference competition of the year in Virginia Beach in February, the Stallings Invitational at N.C. A&T at the end of February, and the Hampton Roads Collegiate Invitational in Virginia Beach in early March.
The 2022 MEAC Bowling Championship is also in Virginia Beach, giving the Spartans a third opportunity to bowl in the Hampton Roads area this season.
