NC A&T Leads ITC Fort Worth Sectional | Women’s Bowling 2026
FORT WORTH, Texas – North Carolina A&T seized the early lead at the Intercollegiate Team Championships Fort Worth Sectional, sponsored by the United States Bowling Congress (USBC), concluding the first day of competition with a commanding performance at City View Lanes on .
The Aggies, currently ranked 12th in the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) Top 25 poll, posted a total pinfall of 6,504 over 32 games, averaging 203.25. This performance placed them ahead of 15th-ranked Newman University, who finished with a 6,265 pinfall. The top four teams from each of the four sectionals will advance to the ITC national championship, scheduled for April 13-18 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, at Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley.
A&T’s strong showing builds on their success as the top qualifier from the Allen Park, Michigan Sectional last season. Their consistency was a key factor, with 20 of their 32 games exceeding a total pinfall of 200. They also broke the 225 mark seven times, culminating in a high game of 268 in the 23rd game.
The Aggies established their dominance early, leading after the first 16 games with a pinfall of 3,141. Newman University (3,078) and the University of Northwestern Ohio (3,036) were the only other teams to surpass 3,000 pins during that initial block of games.
As competition intensified during the second block of 16 games, A&T continued to excel, recording the highest total pinfall with 3,363. Louisiana Tech followed with 3,211, while Newman maintained their position with 3,187. Northwestern Ohio also exceeded 3,000 pins, finishing with 3,133.
The standings behind A&T are tightly contested. Fifth-ranked Louisiana Tech sits in third place with a total pinfall of 6,178, followed closely by 17th-ranked Tulane (6,064) and the University of Northwestern Ohio (5,929). Oklahoma Christian rounds out the top five with a pinfall of 5,901, indicating a competitive field vying for the remaining national championship berths.
The remaining sectionals also saw strong performances. McKendree, ranked 13th, leads the Pittsburgh sectional with a 6,314 pinfall. Top-ranked Jacksonville State is dominating the Smyrna, Tennessee sectional with an impressive 7,061, and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater leads the Addison, Illinois sectional with 6,369.
Sunday’s competition will be crucial as the 15 teams at City View Lanes complete another 32 games to determine the four teams that will advance to the national championship. The Aggies will gaze to maintain their momentum and solidify their position as a top contender. Their ability to consistently score high games and capitalize on opportunities will be key to securing a spot in Green Bay.
The outcome of the Fort Worth Sectional, along with the results from the other three sectionals, will shape the landscape of collegiate women’s bowling as teams battle for the ultimate prize – the ITC national championship. The competition promises to be fierce, with several teams demonstrating the potential to make a deep run in the tournament.
The performance of North Carolina A&T is particularly noteworthy, given their preseason ranking of No. 7, as reported earlier this season. Head Coach Kim Terrell-Kearney has clearly instilled a winning mentality in her team, and their consistent performance throughout the season suggests they are a force to be reckoned with. Their strong showing at the Music City tournament, where they finished sixth, further demonstrates their competitive edge as they approach the USBC Sectionals.