Feb. 19, 2010
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Vanderbilt’s top-ranked NCAA bowling team steps into NAIA and USBC collegiate competition for the second straight tournament this weekend when it competes in the Hoosier Classic, billed as the nation’s longest-running collegiate tournament.
The Commodores have been idle since routing the field two weeks ago at the McKendree Baker Challenge. They will encounter one of the largest combined fields of men’s and women’s teams in college bowling history when they step onto the Western Bowl lanes Friday evening.
Seventy-four men’s teams and 42 women’s squads will comprise the huge field, forcing women’s play to begin Saturday at 3:45 p.m. and Sunday’s finals starting at 4 o’clock after the men’s event is over.
“This was a good experience last year for us,” Coach John Williamson recalls. “We were put outside our comfort zone against some very good teams that we don’t see on the NCAA circuit. We didn’t bowl our best but we still managed to reach the semi-finals before losing to a Central Florida team that had three Team USA members. We will see that quality of opposition again.”
Williamson will take the same eight bowlers that cruised to an impressive victory in St. Louis last month. They include Josie and Jessica Earnest, Amanda Halter, Brittni Hamilton, Kim Carper, Brittany Garcia, Kayla Rhoades, and Ashley Belden.
The team will compete in a singles event Friday night before getting down to more serious business Saturday with six team games on tap. Sunday starts with three team games before the top eight teams enter best three of five match play. Should the team reach the finals, they are not scheduled until Sunday at about 7:00 p.m.
Saturday’s completion won’t end until late in the evening so it is possible the Vanderbilt update on this site won’t be posted until Sunday. Bowl.com has a staff writer at the event and will be providing full coverage, including live streaming.