The N.C. Central University women’s bowling team may not get the publicity of other sports teams, but the team is aspiring to finish on top.

Head coach Lin Stewart, has confidence his women’s team has what it takes to win the CIAA championship.

But he knows it’s going to take patience and dedication from his players.“I feel we have the team to take it all,” said Stewart. “It’s just a matter of performing.”

The women’s bowling team knows that when they face Division 1-A schools they are at a disadvantage.

The team does not have the facilities or the recruiting power as other schools such as Duke or UNC.

But they have a successful record so far.

Stewart knows that success often depends on that single player who can step up and lead in critical situations.

According to Stewart said that player is his captain NeClea Coleman.

“I feel NeClea is probably my best bowler. She’s had the most experience of all the bowlers when we started. I feel she is a player who leads by example.”

NCCU mens bowler Artrell Breakfield knows the women team very well.

Although the men are not sponsored by the CIAA and the women are, Breakfield says the team is one big family. “We bicker and gossip, but all in all we get along well.”

Breakfield also suggest that the program is heading back to their status in the 1970s.

To build support and involvment Breakfield says he is thinking about starting a bowling fraternity and having schoolwide bowling tournaments for those interesting in learning something new.

Stewart said the program would couldn’t not be building without the support of the Student Union, especially Thurman Prescott, director, and Muriel Jordan, assistant director.

Stewart also says Ingrid Wicker, women’s volleyball coach and assistant athletic director, has played a big role helping Stewart understand the regulations of the CIAA.

“Coach Wicker was instrumental in helping me learn the rules about the CIAA,” she said. “She’s been influential in helping me to get the players certified to play.”