Kristen Cochefski wins National Invitational Tournament (NIT) this past weekend

The National Invitational Tournament (NIT's) for junior bowlers as held this past weekend, May 23 & 24, at Southwest Lanes in Linthicum, MD, and Connecticut's own Kristen Cochefski was the overall tournament champion! The tournament started Saturday morning with 19 boys and 10 girls bowling 5 games. The top 10 boys and all of the girls returned Sunday morning for 5 additional games in order to set up the ladder matches. Kristen was seeded first after the 5 games; send after 10 games and third after 15 games. She then proceeded to work her way up the ladder with three very close and exciting matches against (in order) Britney Burke, from Maryland, 147-139; Alexis Harpin from Rhode Island, 135-131 and Crystal Leitao, also from Rhode Island, 143-133. Each game was decided in the 10th frame. Kristen then bowled Matt Buckingham, who won the boys' division, in the Battle of the Sexes match and was victorious 147-99. Cogratulations to Kristen for her excellent bowling!

Kristen was the only girl from Connecticut to participate. Brandon Dominique and Matthew Ganoe represented Connecticut in the boys' division. Brandon finished in 10th and Matthew in 14th.