The University of Maryland Eastern Shore women’s bowling team opened the 2026-27 campaign with a 6-7 record and a 13th-place finish at the Chelsea Gilliam Penguin Classic in Struthers, Ohio. Sydney Smoot led the team by placing 11th among 124 competitors after recording 1,102 pins across five traditional games Saturday.
Youngstown State University hosted the three-day tournament, which featured 18 teams. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore finished with 12,984 pins across 69 games and averaged 188.2 pins per game.
University of Maryland Eastern Shore Goes 2-3 in Friday Baker Matches
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore opened Friday’s competition with five Baker matches, totaling 4,683 pins while averaging 187.3 pins per game. The team began with a 1,073-910 loss to Nebraska before earning its first victory of the season with a 1,000-953 win over Sacred Heart.
Maryville University defeated the University of Maryland Eastern Shore 993-985 in the third match, despite the team recording 985 pins. The team responded with an 898-885 victory over William Smith College before closing Friday with a 911-890 loss to Duquesne University.
Sydney Smoot Leads Individual Results
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore added 4,707 pins during five traditional matches Saturday, bringing its two-day total to 9,390 pins. Smoot recorded 1,102 pins, averaged 220.40 pins per game and finished 11th in the individual standings.
Mariane Almeida finished 37th with 970 total pins and a 194.00 average. Gabriela Becerra Diaz placed 47th after recording a game-high 210 and a 904-pin series, while Sofia Tosto Valenzuela opened with a 210 and averaged 179.40 pins per game.
University of Maryland Eastern Shore Secures 13th Place
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore entered Sunday’s championship bracket in 13th position. The team opened bracket play against Niagara University and then faced Valparaiso University before meeting Niagara again in the 13th-place match.
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore defeated Niagara University 4-2 in the best-of-seven Baker format to secure 13th place. The team recorded 3,594 pins Sunday, bringing its tournament total to 12,984 pins and its overall record to 6-7.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore women’s bowling team received a strong individual performance from Smoot while finishing 13th in an 18-team field. Smoot’s 11th-place showing highlighted the team’s Saturday performance, with Almeida and Becerra Diaz also placing among the top 50 individually.
The team’s 12,984-pin total and 188.2 average establish its early results for the 2026-27 campaign. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore also closed the tournament with a 4-2 victory over Niagara University in the 13th-place match.
Source: Original report
