March 14, 2007
SMYRNA, TN—The top 13 rated NCAA bowling teams in the nation will be in the field of 18 when Vanderbilt’s Columbia 300 Music City Classic gets underway Saturday at the Smyrna Bowling Center.
“This is shaping up to be our best tournament yet because our field has improved so much over the last two years,” says Coach John Williamson. “Hand-in-hand with the great teams will be the finest individuals in collegiate bowling so we are really looking forward to an outstanding event.”
Defending national champion and top-rated Fairleigh Dickinson heads the impressive field that includes No. 2 Nebraska, third-rated Vanderbilt, No. 4 New Jersey City University and fifth-ranked Central Missouri.
With the NCAA Championships about one month away, this tournament offers bowling fans a good preview of what might be in store in Orlando, site of the finals.
“We know there are many options for the local sports fan this weekend,” Williamson says, “but for those who enjoy bowling or want to see first-rate college competition, this will be something special. We’ve made the Smyrna Bowling Center our home base this year because we think it is the best in the state. That adds to the competitive atmosphere.”
The tournament gets underway Saturday at noon with five team games, each one taking about an hour to complete. The tourney concludes Sunday with four more team games and one four-game Baker set beginning at 8:30 a.m. The team champion will be determined by total pins.
The Commodores are coming off their third victory of the season two weeks ago, having won Alabama A&M’s Holiday Classic.
“We are getting to the stretch run of the season,” Williamson notes. “I want to see better consistency and focus from our team. We won in Alabama but I don’t think anyone on our team thought we bowled particularly well over those 10 games.”
Nebraska won the first two Music City Classic titles. Admission to the tournament is free.
The 2007 Columbia 300 Music City Classic field: Fairleigh Dickinson, Nebraska, Vanderbilt, New Jersey City, Central Missouri, Maryland-Eastern Shore, Sacred Heart, Arkansas State, Alabama A&M, Texas Southern, Minnesota State-Mankato, Southern, Wisconsin-Whitewater, Delaware State, St. Francis, Fontbonne, St. Peter’s and Cheyney.