Jan. 3, 2015
LAS VEGAS – Vanderbilt Assistant Bowling Coach Josie Earnest had a strong start Saturday in her bid to gain a berth on Team USA. Earnest was third in the field of 118, considered to be one of the sport’s elite gatherings. She trailed only Danielle McEwan and Kelly Kulick on the day.
It should be noted that these trials have a somewhat different system to determine final standings; each day is more or less considered a new tournament with a fresh start and at the day’s conclusion, the field is ranked 1-118 based on pin fall. When the tournament concludes Wednesday, each of the day’s placements are added and the bowler with the lowest composite total is the winner. In this formula, one good day can’t “win” it for someone and conversely an off day won’t necessarily push a quality bowler out of contention.
Former Vandy All-American Brittni Hamilton was in a tie for 31st; the New Yorker won the event a year ago.
Freshman Katie Stark led six current Commodores with a 60th place finish, followed closely by former Junior Team USA member Natalie Goodman in 62nd. Giselle Poss (81), Kendyll Dellinger (89), Nicole Powell (97). Another former Junior Team USA member, Amanda Fry, was 104 and signee Jordan Newham was 111th.
“This was a tough day for many quality bowlers on both the men’s and women’s side,” said Vanderbilt Head Coach John Williamson. “There are some big names way down today’s list and you know they won’t stay there long so the next few days are going to be very interesting.”
Complete results are on bowl.com.