Arkansas State takes over top spot in latest NTCA Media Poll

JONESBORO, Ark. — For the first time in school history, Arkansas State is ranked atop the National Tenpin Coaches Association Media Poll that was released Wednesday.

Complete Poll

The Red Wolves (31-11) earned 218 points and six first-place votes to edge Maryland-Eastern Shore’s 207 points and three first-place votes.  Central Missouri (183), Stephen F. Austin (171), and Fairleigh Dickinson (169) rounded out the top five.

The Red Wolves were ranked fourth in the preseason NTCA Media Poll but a fourth-place finish in the FDU Jamboree and back-to-back first-place finishes in the Crusader Classic and Big Red Invite propelled A-State to the top spot.

The NTCA began conducting a Media Poll during the 2011-12 season.  Arkansas State had ascended as high as the No. 2 ranking twice, with the most recent occurring in last season’s NTCA Preseason Media Poll, before achieving the top spot Wednesday.