Nikia Thomas placed 10th individually to lead Florida A&M University women’s bowling at the season-opening Colonial Lanes Classic in Harahan, Louisiana. Florida A&M Bowling finished 11th in the three-day event hosted by Tulane at Colonial Lanes from October 9-11, 2026. The Rattlers finished with a 4-9 overall record, 11,057 total pins and a 170.1 average.
Thomas, a junior from Canal Winchester, Ohio, scored 1,007 pins over five games for a 201.4 average. She also rolled Florida A&M’s top traditional-match single-game score, recording a 245 in her second game Saturday. Thomas was one of 12 bowlers in the field to surpass 1,000 pins.
Thomas Leads Florida A&M’s Individual Results
Briana Buezon was next for Florida A&M with 841 pins over five games and a 168.2 average. Buezon, a sophomore from Doha, Qatar, followed Thomas in the team’s scoring. Bree Stewart totaled 663 pins over four games for a 165.8 average, while Allysa Metellus recorded 498 pins over three games with a 166.0 average.
Alieenah Rodriguez finished with 426 pins over three games and a 142.0 average. Brianna Davidson added 411 pins over three games with a 137.0 average, and Aniyah Franklin scored 305 pins over two games for a 152.5 average. Those results accounted for the listed Florida A&M scorers at the event.
Florida A&M Earns Baker and Traditional-Match Wins
Florida A&M went 2-3 in Baker matches and totaled 4,379 pins, the seventh-highest total in the field. The Rattlers defeated Texas Southern 932-824 and Southern University 911-858. Florida A&M also faced Louisiana Tech, Tulane and Prairie View A&M in the opening Baker round.
Louisiana Tech opened the Baker round with an 993-810 victory over Florida A&M, while Tulane defeated the Rattlers 981-821 and Prairie View A&M won 973-905. Louisiana Tech later won the tournament with a 4.5-1.5 victory over North Carolina A&T in the final. Florida A&M finished the Baker portion with 4,379 pins.
In traditional matches, Florida A&M went 1-4 and totaled 4,151 pins. The Rattlers’ only traditional-match victory was a 923-887 decision over Oklahoma Christian, powered by Thomas’ 245. Florida A&M also faced UAB, Sam Houston State, Alabama A&M and Alabama State.
UAB defeated Florida A&M 870-760, Sam Houston State won 995-809, Alabama A&M prevailed 903-794 and Alabama State won 987-865. The results left the Rattlers with one traditional-match victory during the event. Florida A&M’s 923 pins against Oklahoma Christian were its best traditional team total of the weekend.
Rattlers Finish Bracket Play With Oklahoma Christian Win
Florida A&M opened Sunday’s tournament bracket play with a 4-0 loss to Texas Southern, which held a 744-582 advantage in total pins. Alabama A&M then defeated the Rattlers 4-0, with a 734-670 total-pin advantage. Florida A&M closed bracket play against Oklahoma Christian.
The Rattlers trailed Oklahoma Christian 3-1 before winning the final three games. Florida A&M won those games 213-185, 170-147 and 179-170, finishing with 1,275 pins to Oklahoma Christian’s 1,239 in a match that went the full seven games.
Next Event in Orlando
Florida A&M will return to competition October 30-31 at the Destination Florida event in Orlando. Sacred Heart will host the event. The meet will be the Rattlers’ next competition after the season-opening weekend in Louisiana.
FSB Take
Nikia Thomas gave Florida A&M University women’s bowling its top individual performance at the Colonial Lanes Classic, combining a 10th-place finish with a team-best 245 traditional-game score. Florida A&M also recorded Baker wins over Texas Southern and Southern University and finished the weekend with a seven-game victory over Oklahoma Christian. The Destination Florida event in Orlando is the next verified test for the Rattlers after their 11th-place finish and 4-9 opening weekend.
Source: Original report