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CJ grad DeWitt has first-year Marian program rolling along

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By Debbie Juniewicz, Staff Writer 8:25 PM Saturday, February 12, 2011

As part of a first-year program, Shannon DeWitt didn’t want to set her expectations too high.

“We’re all freshmen,” she said. “At our first tournament, none of us really knew what we were going into.”

DeWitt and the Marian (Ind.) University women quickly figured it out. The Dayton bowler was ranked 13th nationally among all first-year collegiate competitors in the CollegeBowling.com Rookie-of-the-Year women’s standings at the end of January. And Marian, in its first year of competition, was ranked No. 20 among all women’s teams. The Wright State University women ranked sixth and Robert Morris University topped the women’s standings, including events through Jan. 23.

“It’s a lot more work than high school bowling, and the conditions are much more difficult,” DeWitt said.

But those challenges make it more rewarding.

The Knights posted their best-ever finish at the Hoinke Bearcat Open in Cincinnati in January. Marian finished second to No. 2-ranked Lindenwood University in the 22-team tournament.

“We were hanging our heads after falling short because we really had a chance to beat them,” DeWitt said. “But our coach told us we had nothing to be ashamed of. If anything, we should be proud because we gave one of the best teams in the country a run for their money.”

The Hoinke Bearcat Open marked the second-best individual performance of the season for DeWitt. The 2010 Chaminade Julienne graduate averaged 190.1 through nine games and earned a spot on the all-tournament team. She leads Marian, which also includes Troy graduate Alicia Simpson, with a 179.2 average.

“I wanted to end my first season with about a 180, so I’m right on track,” DeWitt said.

After making the transition to the collegiate ranks, DeWitt has some advice for area high school bowlers who hope to do the same.

“Get more involved in leagues that put out a sport shot,” she said. “Because you really need to get used to a tougher shot.”

• Bowling for baseball: The Dayton Dynasty youth select travel team will host a team fundraiser at Poelking Marian Lanes, Huber Heights, at 1 p.m. Feb. 20. For information, call (937) 233-2222.