JONESBORO (7/17/08) ? Arkansas State incoming freshman Samantha Santoro (Reinholds, Pa.) advanced to the semifinals of the 2008 Junior Gold Tournament last week in Sterling Heights, Mich. Santoro finished the event in 28th place while competing against 471 other bowlers from across the nation.
Santoro finished with a 3,440 total after 18 games to make the semifinal round cut. She entered the semifinal round in 57th place. Santoro averaged 201 through 12 games in the semifinal round to climb the leader board and finish in 28th place in the standings.
ASU junior Marissa Martinek finished 70th at the Junior Gold Tournament, while sophomore Samantha Morrison finished 82nd.
In addition to her strong showing at the 2008 Junior Gold Tournament, Santoro was recently named to the 2007-08 Dexter/United States Bowling Congress High School All-America team. Santoro was one of just five girls from across the nation to earn the prestigious honor.
“We knew that Samantha was a tremendous talent when we signed her last year,” said ASU Head Coach Chris James. “She was one of the most decorated and sought-after recruits in the country, and she continues to prove why. We are extremely proud of her accomplishments at the 2008 Junior Gold event and for being named to the Dexter USBC All-America team, and look forward to her joining us in the fall.”
Joining Santoro on the 2007-08 Dexter/United States Bowling Congress High School All-America team were twin sisters Amanda and Natalie Cortese (Hoffman Estates, Ill.), Brittni Hamilton (Webster Heights, NY), and Natalie Oehler (Cincinnati, Ohio).
Santoro will compete in the 2008 Team Masters next week in Las Vegas, Nev. She finished the event as runner-up in 2007.
Arkansas State's bowling team finished as the national runner-up at the 2008 NCAA Tournament in Omaha, Neb.
