Duquesne’s Maribeth Baker & Niagara’s Emily Brock Named Finalists for IBMA Collegiate Bowler of the Year - NEC Skip To Main Content
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Duquesne’s Maribeth Baker & Niagara’s Emily Brock Named Finalists for IBMA Collegiate Bowler of the Year

3/25/2026


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Bridgewater, NJ -- Two NEC bowlers were named among the 10 finalists for the 2026 International Bowling Media Association (IBMA) Collegiate Bowler of the Year, presented by Storm Bowling.

Duquesne’s Maribeth Baker and Niagara’s Emily Brock were the two finalists from the NEC.

Baker, a native of York, PA, was an All-NEC first team selection in 2026 and was a crucial part of Duquesne’s first NEC Championship-winning team. She placed first in the league in Baker frame average (20.72), second in overall strike percentage (54.2) and fourth in PCPI (84.70) during league meets. Baker also bowled 100 percent of Duquesne’s frames this season. The junior becomes the third Duquesne bowler to be named a finalist for the award, joining past program greats Shannon Small and Olivia Farwell.

Brock’s outstanding senior season landed her among the 10 finalists. The 2026 NEC Bowler of the Year topped the conference in overall frame average (20.94) and strike percentage (54.8). Brock ranked third in the NEC in PCPI (90.34) and was an All-NEC first team selection. The Orchard Park, NY native’s finest performance of the season came in Niagara’s elimination match against Monmouth at the NEC Bowling Championship last weekend. Brock bowled a perfect game in the traditional leg of the match, and the Purple Eagles would need each of those 300 pins to escape with a narrow 1086-1079 win in the leg.

The IBMA/STORM College Bowler of the Year Award is given each season to the male and female bowlers who excel in USBC certified collegiate tournament and conference play. Players must have a cumulative 32 games and be in the top 20 of either average differential or average or have won a Tier 1 as an individual to be considered for the award. Many professional and high-ranking amateur bowlers have received the award.

Players must have a cumulative 32 games and be a top 20 of either Average Differential or Average or have won a Tier 1 as an individual to be considered for the award. The award was established in 1987 to honor the sport's finest collegiate players, and winners will be announced prior to the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships (ITC) "Night of Champions" banquet.

The selection committee is an assembly of IBMA members who are bowling media and former college coaches and athletes. Two "All American" teams will be selected from the 10 finalists of each gender with the persons receiving the most votes being the Storm Collegiate Bowlers of the Year for each gender.