`Dore Bowlers struggle to fifth

Jan. 16, 2009

CABOT, Ark. – Vanderbilt’s bowling team began its 2009 tournament season as flat as a New Year’s Eve balloon. The top-ranked Commodores looked anything but as they struggled to a fifth place standing after the first day of Arkansas State’s Mid-Winter Invitational.

“What a day,” sighed Coach John Williamson, shaking his head. “We missed 22 makeable spares in 25 Baker games today. We couldn’t duplicate a good shot; it was a long and generally disappointing day.”

Bowlers fans realize that the 22 easy misses on spare conversions is akin to tossing away 200 pins, roughly the margin the team is out of first place.

Vanderbilt and second-rated Nebraska had not met all fall but they tangled in the day’s first round with the Huskers winning a 996-927 verdict, the two top scores in that session.

They posted their high game of the day against Bethune-Cookman in the second contest, 954-852 but the scores dropped like Chicago temperatures from that point.

While Vanderbilt managed to top Jackson State and Texas Southern, its scores didn’t crack 900 and in the day’s finale, host Arkansas State squeaked out a 912-894 victory.

“We’re going to focus on what we can control from here out,” Williamson says. “We’ll make some equipment adjustments, get a good night’s sleep and come back tomorrow more ready to compete.”

Team Leader Board (top five only)

Minnesota Mankato – 4,787

Nebraska – 4,770

Delaware State – 4,602

Alabama A & M – 4,552

Vanderbilt – 4,542