Jan. 12, 2017
Vanderbilt resumes its 2016-17 schedule this weekend at Arkansas State’s Mid-Winter Classic at the Hijinx Family Entertainment Center in Jonesboro. Admission is free.
Eight Top 10 in action: This tournament annually attracts one of the strongest fields and this year is no exception. Eight of the nation’s Top 10 are in the field of 18, led by host and top-ranked Arkansas State. The others: Nebraska (3), McKendree (4), Stephen F. Austin (5), Vanderbilt (6), Central Missouri (8), Monmouth (9) and Maryland-Eastern Shore (10) along with Alabama-Birmingham (23), Valparaiso (24), Jackson State, Alabama State, Alabama A&M, Drury, Lincoln University, Lincoln Memorial, Louisiana Tech and Maryville.
Tournament format: Friday’s five, 5-game Baker matches begin at 11:30 a.m. (CST). Saturday’s five team games start at 9:30 a.m Sunday’s championship bracket of best-of-seven Bakers start at 8:30 a.m.
Vandy travels seven: The Commodores will take the nucleus of their normal travel unit, led by senior Giselle Poss along with junior Katie Stark, sophomores Kristin Quah and Jordan Newham and freshmen Emily Rigney, Adel Wahner and Maria Bulanova.
Following the tournament long distance: Vanderbilt’s games will be live-streamed on its Cube channel supplemented with Twitter updates on @VandyBowling.
Quick season recap: Vandy has a 26-14 won-loss record with three straight fourth place finishes at events hosted by Sam Houston State, Tulane and Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Last year in Jonesboro: Vanderbilt was fourth while placing Kristin Quah (second) and Giselle Poss (fifth) on the all-tournament team. McKendree is defending champ.
Last week’s big news: Commodore assistant coach Josie Earnest was named to Team USA for the fifth time at the USBC Team Trials in Las Vegas. At the United States Amateur Championship, held at the same time, Vandy’s Giselle Poss had a strong fourth place finish and capped her tournament with a 296 game.
Black and Gold star power: In addition to Poss’ strong year to date, Kristin Quah and Maria Bulanova have already been honored by the Southland Bowling League as “Bowlers of the Month”. Quah won the award in November, Bulanova last month.