Jan. 11, 2012
Tournament Season Begins: Vanderbilt travels to Jonesboro, Ark., for the Mid-Winter Classic Friday through Sunday at the Jonesboro Bowling Center.
Participating Teams: Alabama A & M, Alabama-Birmingham, Alabama State, Arkansas State, Central Missouri, Elmhurst, Jackson State, Louisiana Tech, Maryland-Eastern Shore, Nebraska, Prairie View, Sam Houston State, Stephen F. Austin, Southern, Texas Southern, Valparaiso and Vanderbilt.
Tourney Format: Friday’s competition begins at 12:20 with five, 5-Game Baker matches. Saturday has five team games starting at 9:40 a.m. and Sunday best four-of-seven Bakers start at 9:30 a.m.
Vanderbilt Traveling Party: The Commodores will take their entire roster on the trip since they will make the trek west via chartered bus.
Welcome Back Lauren: Junior Lauren Rhein has returned to school and rejoined her teammates after missing nearly the entire fall semester due to a family medical issue.
Over Holiday Break: Five Commodores competed last week at the USBC’s Team USA Trials in Las Vegas.They included Jessica Earnest (11th), Brittni Hamilton (12th), Samantha Hesley (32nd), Kim Carper (38th) and Natalie Goodman (70th). Earnest is a current member of Junior Team USA, earning that place after her strong finish at last summer’s Junior Gold.
Winners in the Classroom: The Commodores have always prided themselves with their academic success and no less than seven squad members achieved 3.0 grade point averages or better during the fall term. The semester included a perfect 4.0 g.p.a. by freshman Nicole Mosesso, the first 4-point in program history.
Recent Mid-Winter History: A year ago Vanderbilt appeared on the ropes heading to this tournament after a shaky performance in its fall schedule. The Commodores responded by winning 12 straight matches, defeating Central Missouri in a tight title game and claiming the team championship. No Commodores earned all-tournament honors; Jessica Earnest led the team with a 10th place individual finish.
Coach Williamson says: “We have only had a chance to practice a handful of times since the students returned from holiday break and the first couple were predictably ragged. This is a good opportunity to get ourselves refocused against some very good competition. We are taking everyone on this trip but I don’t expect that everyone will bowl.”
