MSU Bowling Team Recognized By NTCA For Highest GPA; Five Lady Bears Honored

Women's Bowling 7/6/2021 12:09:00 PM Kevin C. Paige, MSU Athletic Communications

MSU Bowling Team Recognized By NTCA For Highest GPA; Five Lady Bears Honored

NTCA All-Academic Teams | NTCA All-Academic Individuals

BALTIMORE, Md. (July 6, 2021) -- The Morgan State bowling team was recognized by the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) as the recipient of the highest team GPA award, as announced today in Nashville, Tenn. The Lady Bears concluded the 2020-21 academic year with an impressive team GPA of 3.840.

"I am extremely proud of the young women in our bowling program for all that they accomplished in the classroom and on the lanes this past year," said Morgan State Vice President and Director of Athletics, Dr. Edward Scott. "Despite the pandemic and the many challenges they faced as a team, their focus in the classroom remained steadfast. This accomplishment is a direct reflection of the culture that Coach Falbo has brought to our program, which is excellence in everything we do."

Annually, the NTCA recognizes programs that have excelled in the classroom. To be recognized, a program must have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher for the academic school year.

Morgan State topped this year's list of a record 59 bowling programs that were honored. Adelphi (3.803), last year's highest team GPA recipient, finished second, followed by Youngstown State (3.790), Tulane (3.786) and Louisiana Tech (3.764) to round out this year's top five.

The Lady Bears also led the way as one of six Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) teams to be honored by the NTCA: Monmouth (3.680), North Carolina A&T State (3.560), Alabama Birmingham (3.543), Delaware State (3.430) and Coppin State (3.430).

"It is an honor serving as the Academic Coordinator for our women's bowling program. Together, we have worked hard to establish and maintain a culture of competitive excellence in everything we do (classroom, competition and community)," said Chad Allen, Director of Student-Athlete Development. "Being recognized by NTCA for achieving the highest GPA is a remarkable accomplishment and true testament of their hard work and dedication during a challenging year. The Morgan Way, a national standard!"

Each season the NTCA also recognizes student-athletes who have excelled in the classroom. To be recognized, a student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher for the academic school year. This year there were 385 honorees, up from last year's 381 total.

Morgan State's Aliya Adams, Touri Holmes, Amoura Whitney, Ashanti Fernandes, Natalia Miranda Vega and La'Monique Berrios were named to this year's NTCA All-Academic scholar-athletes list.

In April, Adams, Berrios, Fernandes, Holmes and Whitney received MEAC Bowling All-Academic honors. Holmes was also named the individual sport winner for the Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholar Awards earlier this year.

"Over this past year under extraordinary circumstances, these ladies focused on the most important facet of the student-athlete experience," said Morgan State head coach Thomas Falbo. "They pushed each other, supported each other and achieved in such spectacular fashion. Academic excellence will continue to be our drive as we take a big step forward this year on the lanes."

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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution offering more than 100 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

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Players Mentioned

#26 Aliya Adams: 5' 4"; Sophomore

#14 La'Monique Berrios: 5' 5"; Sophomore

#16 Ashanti Fernandes: 5' 4"; Junior

#9 Touri Holmes: 5' 6"; Senior

#12 Amoura Whitney: 5' 7"; Junior

Natalia Miranda Vega: Freshman

Players Mentioned

#26 Aliya Adams
: 5' 4"; Sophomore

#14 La'Monique Berrios
: 5' 5"; Sophomore

#16 Ashanti Fernandes
: 5' 4"; Junior

#9 Touri Holmes
: 5' 6"; Senior

#12 Amoura Whitney
: 5' 7"; Junior

Natalia Miranda Vega
: Freshman