Oct. 26, 2007
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt was the unanimous pick as the No. 1 collegiate bowling team in the nation in polling compiled by the National Ten Pin Coaches Association. It is believed this is the first Vanderbilt team to enter its season ranked first in the country.
The Commodores have a veteran team returning from its 2007 NCAA championship squad and have added a promising freshman class to that nucleus. Nebraska was second in polling with Fairleigh Dickinson third and NCAA runner-up Maryland Eastern Shore and Central Missouri tied for fourth.
“The poll is fun for fans, the bowling community, and it may help raise the public’s awareness of our program,” says Vanderbilt Coach John Williamson, “but inside our program we pay very little attention to it. We want to focus on things we can control, and how people perceive us is out of our control. Last year we were never top-ranked. There are quite a few very good teams out there, and in bowling every team can win a given game. We realize we wear a target and will get everybody’s best shot.”
The Commodores open their season Saturday at the Central Region Jamboree in Arkansas. The NCAA Championship is held in April.
2007-08 NTCA Preseason National Poll:
1. Vanderbilt University
2. University of Nebraska
3. Fairleigh Dickinson University
T4. University of Maryland
T4. University of Central Missouri
6. New Jersey City University
7. Sacred Heart University
8. Arkansas State University
9. Alabama A&M University
10. Minnesota State University
11. Texas Southern University
12. Southern University
13. University of Wisconsin
14. Morgan State University
15. Fayetteville State University
16. Bethune-Cookman College
17. Adelphi University
18. Delaware State University
19. St. Peter’s College
20. Jackson State University
Also receiving votes:
St. Francis College, Brooklyn, NY; Bowie State University, Bowie, MD; St. Paul’s College, Lawrenceville, VA; Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA; Louisiana Tech, Ruston, LA; University of North Carolina A&T, Greensboro, NC; Hampton University, Hampton, VA; Virginia State, VA; Shaw University, Raleigh, NC; Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA; Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA; North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC; St. Augustine University, Raleigh, NC.
