Tuesday, May 3, 2011
PRINCESS ANNE, MD (May 3, 2011) – Accompanied by the steady drum of the Thunderin’ Hawks Pep Band, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore cheerleading squad waved their pom-poms for the “nation’s best collegiate bowling team” – the Lady Hawks.
“It’s so very exciting, I don’t even know how to put it into words,” said Paula Vilas, one of seven team members who made history this season by winning two national championships, the NCAA and the USBC Collegiate title, for UMES.
Vilas pumped up more than 100 students, staff and faculty at the Championship Rally on Tuesday with her entrance into the William P. Hytche Athletic Center. Raising her arms in the air, the 22-year-old UMES junior did a cartwheel in between a long line of cheerleaders.
“It feels really great getting so much support,” said Vilas, a native of Argentina.
The event featured the presentation of several proclamations from local and state government officials. President Thelma B. Thompson was on hand to personally congratulate team members and head coach Sharon Brummell, who was lauded for her emphasize on “athleticism and academics.”
Athletics Director Keith Davidson shared with the audience the significance of the occasion. No school in college bowling history has ever won two national titles in the same year. UMES is also the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to own two DI NCAA titles.
The rally concluded with the unveiling of the three championship banners from this season: the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) title, the NCAA championship and the USBC Collegiate title.
On the count of three, the Lady Hawks Bowling Team tugged at ropes to reveal the banners, which simultaneously released a cloud of glitter onto the gymnasium floor. Afterward, team members (pictured above from left) Paula Vilas, Anggie Ramirez, Martha Perez, Megan Buja, T’nia Falbo, Kristina Frahm, Maria Rodriquez signed autographs.
###
Candice Latshaw, Public Relations Specialist, UMES Office of Public Relations, 410-651-6669, celatshaw@umes.eduxx
