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3/4/2006 BESSEMER,AL–Vanderbilt set and reset its school record three times in five games Saturday and finds itself leading the 16-team Holiday Bowling Invitational. The Commodores averaged a blistering 1,066 to lead second place Central Missouri by 108 pins heading into Sunday’s action. The team posted four scores higher than its previous best of 1,072. Four Vanderbilt bowlers are in the event’s top 17, paced by Mandy Keily. The Colorado southpaw is second with a hefty 234 average while Michelle Peloquin is 12th (213), Karen Grygiel 13th (212) and Kaitlin Reynolds is 17th with a strong 209 average. “Obviously we did a much better job today,” said Coach John Williamson. “While the lane conditions allowed everyone more leeway, we hit our marks and targets much better and were on our game the entire day.” Williamson had noted that his team has had very strong practice sessions during the last two weeks. “I think we have improved our accuracy the last few weeks and that carried over today. We had very few missed spares and were aggressive in the pocket, which left us a few splits.” In Vanderbilt’s opening romp past Maryland Eastern Shore, Keily posted a 260 that included an open frame in the second. She then struck out from that point for her high game of the year. Peloquin had a 248 that game, also with an open. Williamson noted the lane conditions changed in fifth game and across the board scores were down. Central Missouri’s star Tina Peak leads the tournament with a 240 average. Tournaments typically conclude with Baker games but this event will have five more team games Sunday with no Baker games. That could play to Vanderbilt’s advantage. “Team games are our strength,” Williamson says. “We are in another new position. Two weeks ago we were lurking off the pace and didn’t bowl particularly well the second day. Now we are in a situation where if we maintain our focus like we did today we are in an excellent position to win.” Top Five Teams Vanderbilt 5330 Vanderbilt 1095 Maryland Eastern Shore 1027 Karen Grygiel 180 Vanderbilt 1099 Morgan State 958 Karen 261 Vanderbilt 1118 Sacred Heart 855 Grygiel 226 Vanderbilt 1077 St. Peters 790 Grygiel 226 Vanderbilt 941 New Jersey City 1008 Grygiel 170 |
