Nov. 8, 2006
Vanderbilt’s fourth-ranked bowling team travels north this weekend to compete in the Wisconsin-Whitewater Invitational. It marks the first tournament of the year for the Commodores and while the field is small, the competition should be keen.
Farleigh Dickinson (No. 1 rated) and Nebraska (2), who have won the last three NCAA Championships between them, will be in the field of seven, along with Elmhurst, Arkansas State (8), Minnesota State/Mankato and the host Whitewater (11) team. The tournament champion will be based solely on total pin fall, although the NCAA will also record dual win-loss records.
“Much as we said prior to our dual at Alabama A & M two weeks ago, we are looking at this tournament as another measure of where we stand with some very good teams at this early point of the season,” says Coach John Williamson.
“With total wood (pins) as the criteria, we need to stay consistent from game to game. You will have a difficult time winning a pin fall tournament if you are up one game and coasting the next. Consistency is one of our points of emphasis this season.”
The Commodores will travel their five sophomores – Karen Grygiel, Mandy Keily, Kaitlin Reynolds, Michelle Peloquin and Tara Kane – along with two freshmen, Josie Earnest and Ashley Belden.
Competition begins Friday afternoon with four team games and continues Saturday and Sunday with five more. Each opponent will be played twice.
Vanderbilt’s debut at Alabama A & M was a good one with all three team games exceeding 1,000 pins (over a 200 average per bowler) and four of the five Baker games 200 or better.
