Jan. 5, 2012
LAS VEGAS – Thursday was moving day at the United States Bowling Congress Team USA Trials and three of the biggest movers had Vanderbilt connections.
Assistant Coach Josie Earnest powered herself into fourth place in the three-day point standings on the strength of a huge seven-game performance in which she averaged 225.14, third best in the entire field. Josie, who starred for the Commodores from 2007-10, has not been able to work on her own game as much as many others since her focus has been on coaching the varsity so her showing is even more impressive.
Younger sister Jessica Earnest, a Commodore junior, continued her steady pace and sits in 11th place by a comfortable margin. Jess averaged 203.14 Thursday evening.
Current Team USA member Brittni Hamilton also made a giant move Thursday, finishing sixth on the day to move into 15th place in overall standings with just Friday’s seven games remaining.
Kim Carper sits in 26th place in this elite field of 80 representing all ages of national bowlers. Samantha Hesley recovered from a puny 144 in her first game to average 198.71 on her seven games and she sits in 43rd position overall, one behind future Vanderbilt student-athlete Amanda Fry. Freshman Natalie Goodman, in 74th place, rounds out the big Commodore contingent.
The top three placers get automatic places on the Team USA squad with two at-large members chosen by a blue ribbon committee. A Junior Team USA is also being selected among those competitors 20 years old or younger as of Jan. 1, 2012.
Complete results and live action is found on bowl.com.