Ohioans Rachel Darrow, Michaela Edwards and Alexis Grim have each signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Youngstown State women's bowling program for its inaugural season in 2016-17, Penguins head coach Chelsea Gilliam announced.
Darrow is currently a senior at Troy High School (Troy, Ohio), Edwards is from Mechanicsburg High School (Mechanicsburg, Ohio) and Grim stars at nearby Boardman High School. They join a trio of student-athletes, Emily Dietz, Ashley Kolb and Nikki Mendez, who signed to play for the Penguins in the fall.
Darrow led Troy to its first state title by finishing third at the state tournament with a 672 series. She was named First-Team All-Ohio with her finish, and she was also a Greater Western Ohio Conference first team selection as a senior.
"Rachel worked hard after her junior season ended and it really paid off," Gilliam said. "She had a very successful senior season. Being part of a championship team, Rachel has an understanding that it takes a whole team to win and not just one person.
Edwards helped Mechanicsburg to a pair of Division II state titles in 2014 and 2016 in her high school career. Her best individual finish at the state tournament came when she placed third with a 610 set as a junior to be named First-Team All-Ohio. She finished 24th at the state tournament as a senior with a 563 set as her team won the Ohio crown for the second time in three years.
"Michaela experienced a lot of success throughout her high school career both individually and as a team," Gilliam said. "Being a two-time state champion is a great achievement that takes hard work and dedication from everyone. She is going to bring those aspects to our program in the fall."
Grim was named Honorable Mention All-Ohio as a junior as she led the Spartans to the state tournament. Her 572 set placed her 15th at the 2015 tournament, and she was named the Vindicator Girls Bowling Athlete of the Year. Grim rolled a 591 set to place second at the McKinley Lanes Sectional as a senior to qualify for the district tournament.
"Alexis is a hard worker with a great personality," Gilliam said. "She is someone who is going to keep the team motivated. She has a strong skill set that is going to add depth to this class. She'll have the opportunity to come in and surprise some people."
