Blankenzee earns All-America honors

Denise Blankenzee bowls at the 2024 NCAA Arlington Regional

Blankenzee earns All-America honors

4/11/2024 8:35:00 PM | Women's Bowling

DETROIT — Two Sam Houston bowling members have be honored for a remarkable season after guiding the Bearkats back to the NCAA Championships.

Denise Blankenzee was named a first-team All-America selection by the National Tenpin Coaches Association, the organization announced at its end of year awards on Thursday evening. Kaia Gray was an honorable mention honoree.

Blankenzee, a fifth-year senior from The Netherlands, was one of the nation's top comeback stories. After two years of earning All-America honors, foot injuries significantly limited her production last season.

She had her best season statistically with 30 percent of her traditional games over 220 and a high of 269. She was the Most Valuable Player at the
Lewis Flyers Classic.

Gray helped Sam Houston advance back to the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2015. The Bearkats will compete for a shot at a national title at the finals to be held at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park, Michigan over the weekend.