JONESBORO (6/18/08) ? Arkansas State bowler Marissa Martinek, who helped her team to a runnerup finish in the 2008 NCAA National Championship, has been selected as a Second Team All-American by the National Ten Pin Coaches Association.

Martinek, a sophomore from Albany, N.Y., is one of five members of the second team. She transferred to ASU from Morehead State prior to the 2007-08 season.

“I'm really proud of Marissa,” said Head Coach Chris James. “She transferred in and immediately made an impact on the team. In addition to her skill, Marissa loves the game and brings in a lot of energy and enthusiasm. She really fit into the program from the start and played a major role in our trip to the NCAA Championship.”

Martinek led the team in average with 196.55 in 11,793 total pins. She bowled 60 games overall and had a game high of 254. ASU finished with a record of 70-30 and a top five finish in every tournament with the exception of one. She was also named the team's Most Outstanding Bowler at the annual bowling banquet.

ASU entered the eight-team tournament in Omaha,Neb., in April as the No. 3 seed and breezed through the bracket before falling, 4-2, to Maryland-Eastern Shore in the finals.

The NTCA All-America Second Team includes: Lindsey Baker, Nebraska Sarah Pelletier, Sacred Heart Katie Ann Sopp, Nebraska Maria Rodriguez, Maryland-Eastern Shore Marissa Martinek, Arkansas State

First-Team members are: Vicki Spratford, New Jersey City Josie Earnest, Vanderbilt Cassie Leuthold, Nebraska Bryanna Caldwell, Central Missouri Kristina Frahm, Maryland-Eastern Shore

END