Friday, October 16
Holiday Bowl--Struthers, Ohio
Jax State
at
Chelsea Gilliam Penguin Classic
Top-Ranked Gamecocks Open 2026-27 Season in Ohio
10/15/2026 2:51:00 PM | Bowling
There aren't many things last year's bowling team didn't do, but one of the few things on that list can be accomplished by this year's squad when it opens the 2026-27 season at the Chelsea Gilliam Penguin Classic at Holiday Bowl in Struthers, Ohio.
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Last season, the Penguin Classic was the lone tournament the eventual national champion did not bowl for the championship at, despite leading the field in total pinfall in Baker and traditional play.
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The entire roster returns from the first women's bowling team in eight years to win both the NCAA and US Bowling Congress national championships after a 103-10 season. The lineup is highlighted by four First-Team All-Americans.
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Sophomore Gianna Brandolino is the reigning Bowler of the Year and was joined on the All-America team by classmate Kaitlyn Stull, junior Erin Klemencic, and senior Annalise Obryant.
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Klemencic won the Intercollegiate Singles Championship her freshman year, and was the most outstanding bowler of last year's NCAA Championship after posting a 266 Baker average during the first two rounds of the tournament. Stull and Brandolino also earned spots on the all-tournament team.
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Brandolino is competing with Team USA this weekend at the IBF World Cup in Munich, Germany.
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Junior Emma Yoder was also a key contributor with a 225.7 Baker average. At last season's Penguin Classic, she had a team-leading Baker average of 248.9 and added a 234.4 traditional average. The native of Wooster, Ohio; 90 miles from Holiday Bowl struck 85 times that weekend. Abbie Leiendecker, also from nearby Wooster posted a 229 traditional average at last year's event.
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Competition begins Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. Eastern with Jax State bowling five Baker total pinfall matches against No. 16 Duquesne, No. 14 Niagara, Mercyhurst, No. 2 Vanderbilt, and No. 6 Youngstown State. Saturday will start with a positional round within the pool with the opponent determined based on Friday's standings. The Gamecocks will bowl four more traditional matches against No. 5 Nebraska, No. 10 Sacred Heart, No. 13 Maryville, and William Smith.
Sunday's best-of-seven Baker bracket will start at 8:25 a.m. Eastern.
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Last season, the Penguin Classic was the lone tournament the eventual national champion did not bowl for the championship at, despite leading the field in total pinfall in Baker and traditional play.
Â
The entire roster returns from the first women's bowling team in eight years to win both the NCAA and US Bowling Congress national championships after a 103-10 season. The lineup is highlighted by four First-Team All-Americans.
Â
Sophomore Gianna Brandolino is the reigning Bowler of the Year and was joined on the All-America team by classmate Kaitlyn Stull, junior Erin Klemencic, and senior Annalise Obryant.
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Klemencic won the Intercollegiate Singles Championship her freshman year, and was the most outstanding bowler of last year's NCAA Championship after posting a 266 Baker average during the first two rounds of the tournament. Stull and Brandolino also earned spots on the all-tournament team.
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Brandolino is competing with Team USA this weekend at the IBF World Cup in Munich, Germany.
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Junior Emma Yoder was also a key contributor with a 225.7 Baker average. At last season's Penguin Classic, she had a team-leading Baker average of 248.9 and added a 234.4 traditional average. The native of Wooster, Ohio; 90 miles from Holiday Bowl struck 85 times that weekend. Abbie Leiendecker, also from nearby Wooster posted a 229 traditional average at last year's event.
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Competition begins Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. Eastern with Jax State bowling five Baker total pinfall matches against No. 16 Duquesne, No. 14 Niagara, Mercyhurst, No. 2 Vanderbilt, and No. 6 Youngstown State. Saturday will start with a positional round within the pool with the opponent determined based on Friday's standings. The Gamecocks will bowl four more traditional matches against No. 5 Nebraska, No. 10 Sacred Heart, No. 13 Maryville, and William Smith.
Sunday's best-of-seven Baker bracket will start at 8:25 a.m. Eastern.
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Players Mentioned
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