JONESBORO, Ark. (7/1/16) – Eight members of the Arkansas State women's bowling squad were named Academic All-National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) by the organization recently as 163 student-athletes from 32 different schools were represented, while the NTCA also recognized the Red Wolves as one of 17 squads to record a cumulative team GPA of at least 3.2.

A-State registered a team GPA of 3.398 to earn the team recognition, while Ashley Hostert, Jordan Kasza, Nicole Mikaelian, Stephanie Mims, Shynia O'Neal, Allyson Stevens, Samantha Wallace, and Brooke Wood were the individuals to record a GPA of 3.4 or greater to earn Academic All-NTCA accolades.

“This is a great accomplishment for our team and each of the eight ladies to earn this honor from the NTCA,” A-State head women's bowling coach Justin Kostick said. “I stress the importance of academics and it's really stressed throughout our whole athletic department so honors like this show how seriously it is taken at Arkansas State. I'm very proud of our team and the eight student-athletes for earning this recognition.”

A native of Lockport, Ill., Hostert bowled in eight traditional team matches throughout the season and posted a 248 during the Music City Classic. She averaged a 190.25 pinfall during her redshirt freshman campaign.

Kasza, a native of O'Fallon, Ill., saw action in 16 traditional team matches, including five during the NCAA Tournament. She averaged 214.63 pins per game as a sophomore and was named the MVP of the Big Red Invite after averaging 230.2 pins per contest with a total pinfall of 2,277.

Mikaelian, who hails from Macomb, Mich., bowled in 11 matches with 190.46 pins per game average. She saw her most extensive action at the SFA Stormin' Ladyjack Classic Feb. 12-14 when she finished 11th in total pinfall with a team-high 1,247 pins.

A native of Richmond, Va., Mims recently graduated with a triple major in international business, global supply chain management, and marketing. She was a NTCA Third-Team All-American after averaging 204.08 pins per game. The departing senior earned all-tournament nods at the Fairleigh Dickinson Jamboree and Prairie View A&M Invitational. Additionally, she finished third in the individual standings at the NCAA Tournament with a total pinfall of 1,532 pins (218.9 per game).

Wallace, who hails from Centreville, Va., bowled in seven games for the team with a 176.43 per game average. She also saw action at the NCAA Tournament.

Wood, a native of Davison, Mich., picked up Second-Team All-American honors from the NTCA after bowling to a 201.16 pins per game average. The 2015-16 campaign saw her register all-tournament accolades at the FDU Jamboree, where she finished in eighth place, and the Southland Bowling League Championship.

O'Neal (Maumelle, Ark.) and Stevens (Brookland, Ark.) both didn't see any playing time during the season. O'Neal will be a redshirt sophomore next year, while Stevens will be a redshirt freshman.

Arkansas State finished 85-36 during the 2015-16 season and made the NCAA Tournament for the team's ninth consecutive appearance in the championship event. For the latest on the A-State women's bowling team, fans can follow the squad on Twitter (@stAtebowling) and by liking the Arkansas State Women's Bowling Facebook page.