Southland Bowling League Sweeps Individual NTCA Awards
NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. – Stephanie Schwartz of Stephen F. Austin was named NCAA Bowling's Division I Player of the Year while Vanderbilt's Robyn repeated on the first-team to highlight the All-American selections announced at the NCAA Awards Banquet Wednesday night.
Along with player of the year, the Southland Bowling League claimed Coach of the Year honors. Three of the five slots on the first team were SBL student-athletes as well as three on the second team and two on the third team.
The reigning NTCA National Freshman of the Year in 2015, Schwartz continued to rewrite the SFA record books in 2015-16, providing the anchor for head coach Amber Lemke’s team all season. Schwartz competed in 47 individual matches on the year with a 210.85 scoring average, the second-best in Ladyjack program history. She also had 26 matches bowling a 200 or better, including nine games of 250 or better.
The Racine, Wisconsin native was named to five all-tournament teams in 2015-16, capturing the individual championship at the UW-Whitewater Warhawk Classic on Feb. 20. It was the second individual title of the sophomore’s career as she has claimed eight all-tournament honors during her two years in Nacogdoches, including capturing NCAA Championship All-Tournament honors last season.
The accolades add to her already impressive resume as Schwartz was named the NTCA Freshman of the Year and a first team All-American in 2015. Earlier this season, she captured the U.S. Amateur Title in Las Vegas, earning a spot on the U.S. National Team as well as qualifying for the U.S. National Team for the third-straight season.
With the All-America honors, Schwartz joins former Ladyjack bowler Nicole Parkhurst as the second two-time All-American in program history and the first to earn back-to-back first team honors.
Justin Kostick, who guided the Arkansas State Red Wolves to the No. 2 national ranking was voted the Division I Coach of the Year. He led ASU to championships at the Southland League and the Music City Classic while finishing second four times.
Vanderbilt’s Kristin Quah, a freshman from Singapore, earned Rookie of the Year and was among the national leaders in pin average at 203, made a quick adjustment to collegiate bowling and college life. Kristin averaged 203 over 58 games with a high of 279. She had two Top 5 and six Top 20 finishes.
Not related to her award, Quah also registered a rare Vanderbilt 4.0 grade point during her first semester. She is a member of the Singapore National Team.
The 2016 NCAA Bowling Championships gets underway at 11:45 a.m. CT Thursday morning. Day one will consist of the first five pool play matches, wrapping up Friday morning before the double elimination bracket begins Friday afternoon. All the matches will be streamed live at NCAA.com with in-match Twitter updates provided @NECSports and @SLCebold.
2016 NTCA All-Americans
First Team
Stephanie Schwartz – Stephen F. Austin
Jordan Richard – Arkansas State
Thashaina Seraus – Maryland-Eastern Shore
Robyn Renslow – Vanderbilt
Julia Bond – Nebraska
Second Team
Janine Kuwahara – Sam Houston State
Nicolette Sarin – Fairleigh Dickinson
Brooke Wood – Arkansas State
Melanie Hannon – Fairleigh Dickinson
Kristin Quah – Vanderbilt
Third Team
Gazmine Mason – Nebraska
Heather Penatzer – Sam Houston State
Stephanie Mims – Arkansas State
Amanda VanDuyn – Wisconsin-Whitewater
Justyne Falbo – Central Missouri
Player of the Year: Stephanie Schwartz – Stephen F. Austin
Rookie of the Year: Kristin Quah – Vanderbilt
Coach of the Year: Justin Kostick – Arkansas State