- May 13, 2025
Former Seabreeze High School bowler Kara Beissel is national champ.
The Youngstown State University freshman helped the Penguins defeat Jacksonville State (Alabama) 4-3 in a best-of-seven Baker match on Saturday, April 12, to win the National Collegiate Bowling Championship. It is Youngstown State’s first women’s national title.
Beissel, the only freshman in the Penguins’ lineup, bowled in the No. 2 slot in the championship match. She had eight strikes and six spares in her 14 frames.
Beissel rolled a spare and a strike in the decisive seventh game. Senior All-American Jade Cote rolled three strikes in the 10th frame to clinch a 228-203 victory and the national title. Beissel was one of three Youngstown State bowlers to be named to the all-tournament team.
According to Youngstown State’s athletic website, “Beissel proved to be the Penguins' ace in the hole as she came off the bench in Saturday morning's semifinal against Nebraska and proceeded to average 22.73 pins over her 33 frames.” Youngstown State defeated Nebraska 2-0 to advance to the final.
At Seabreeze, Beissel led the Sandcrabs to the state championship in 2021, the runner-up finish in 2022 and fourth place in 2023. She owns Seabreeze school records with a 280 high game and 224 average as a senior in 2023.
Email Brent Woronoff at [email protected]
