DC’s new Women’s Bowling team ready to hit the lanes
DEFIANCE, Ohio – After nine months of preparation, the Defiance College women's bowling program is set to begin its first varsity season Saturday.
The Purple and Gold will travel to Jackson, Michigan, for their first two outings of the year. The Yellow Jackets are scheduled to compete in seven tournaments ahead of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Championship on Feb. 21.
The women's bowling team is the first of several new varsity sports at Defiance that will start competition over the next year. Men's volleyball will debut in the spring semester, while flag football and women's wrestling are set to join next school year.
Led by veteran coach Doug Miller and local pro Emilio Mora, Defiance will field a five-member roster in its inaugural season.
Miller signed five recruits with decorated high school careers. His first commitment was Bryan graduate Ashley Grymonprez, a state qualifier and all-NWOAL bowler for the Golden Bears. Liberty Center's AJ Seedorf is also an all-league performer, a state qualifier and a conference individual champion for the Tigers. Napoleon's Carlee Hohenbrink earned all-conference and all-state honors, highlighted by a district title and a team state runner-up finish as a senior. Junior Jalin Ruple, another Napoleon standout, transferred from McKendree. Freshman Gabby Fisher from Hicksville, a former golfer new to competitive bowling, has quickly developed ahead of the season.
"I am very excited about our first season at DC," Miller said. "I am sure there will be many learning opportunities for us as coaches and student-athletes. The group of women we have assembled are very excited about being the first-ever bowling team at Defiance. As we grow as a team, I look for us to make some noise in the WHAC this year."
Defiance will be busy between now and the end of 2025, with six of its seven tournaments scheduled in that span. Saturday's season opener will take place at the Jax 60 lanes in Jackson, Mich., and is being hosted by defending national champion Spring Arbor.
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