Feb. 24, 2011
BESSEMER, Ala. – Vanderbilt’s bowling team, rated fifth in the latest national coaches’ poll, hits the road for the sixth time in the last seven weekends when it travels to this Birmingham suburb for the annual Holiday Classic.
The Commodores made the biggest jump in the entire poll, rebounding from its No. 12 poll position caused by a sub-standard fall campaign. The new ranking reflects Vanderbilt’s body of work since the spring semester began in which it has won a tournament and been a contending factor in four others.
Defending NCAA champion Fairleigh Dickinson tops the NTCA poll followed by Maryland-Eastern Shore, Central Missouri and Nebraska. Arkansas State trails Vanderbilt in sixth, followed by New Jersey City, Kutztown, Sacred Heart and Sam Houston State to round out the top 10.
The Holiday Classic provides an interesting format in that there will be a complete round-robin schedule during Friday’s Baker and Saturday’s team games. The field is comprised of mostly Central Division programs that include five members from the Top 10. Alabama A & M is the host. Sunday’s championship bracket is based on tournament won-loss records, not the typical pin fall totals, and will be the best four-of-seven Bakers.
Competing teams: Alabama A & M, Alabama State, Arkansas State, Central Missouri, Florida A & M, Minnesota State, Nebraska, Sam Houston State, Southern, South Carolina State, Stephen F. Austin and Vanderbilt.