Huskers Open Season this Weekend

Lincoln -- The Nebraska bowling team begins a new era this weekend, as they open the 2003-04 campaign at the Brunswick Southern Classic in Atlanta, Ga. The competition begins each day at 7 a.m. (CST) at the Cedar Creek Lanes and will be the first NCAA-event for the Husker bowlers. The Huskers, who are the defending champions in this event, will compete in the NCAA Division, while club teams will also take part in this weekend’s tournament.

The Huskers, who finished the 2003 season ranked second nationally, have been training since mid-September. According to Coach Bill Straub, who has overseen the program since it gained varsity status in 1997-98, the Huskers have enjoyed a strong training period during the fall.

This Weekend Tournament:at Southern Brunswick Classic (Atlanta, Ga.)
2002 Finish: First/12 teams
This week’s lineup: Amanda Burgoyne (Fr.), Alice Foley (So.), Jamie Martin (So.), Adrienne Miller (Fr.), Christina Perez (Sr.) and Shannon Pluhowsky (Jr.)
Next Week: at Whitewater Invite

"It has been a very productive fall for us," Straub said. "We have a very cohesive unit, and they are challenging each other for playing time."

According to the Husker head coach, this is the deepest team he has had at Nebraska. Straub welcomes back six returning bowlers who saw extensive action last season and a class of newcomers who each bring impressive credentials. In addition to those 11 bowlers, the Huskers also welcome back Shannon Pluhowsky, who redshirted last season. Pluhowsky is a two-time All-American and the collegiate bowler of the year as a freshman in 2001. She placed second at the Bowling World Cup earlier in the month in Honduras.

"Shannon has a track record that is unparalleled in collegiate bowling," Straub said. "She would be the top amateur bowling in any country in the world, and we are blessed to have her back in the lineup."

Pluhowsky, the two-time U.S. Amateur champion, will anchor the Huskers’ lineup this weekend. She will be joined by senior Christina Perez, sophomore Jamie Martin and three newcomers (sophomore Alice Foley and freshmen Amanda Burgoyne and Adrienne Miller) who will be competing at the Division I level for the first time.

"My biggest concern is trying to harness all of the potential," Straub said. "We have at least three new people playing vital roles with two freshmen and a junior college transfer in our top six."

This is the beginning of a challenging month for the Big Red, as Nebraska will play in five straight tournaments over the next five weeks, highlighted by the National College Team Match Games on Thanksgiving weekend.

"This is intense for them," Straub said about the hectic opening month schedule. "We have prepared them the best we can during the fall, but there really is no substitute for competitive experience."

Quick Look at this Week’s Lineup
Shannon Pluhowsky ? Two-time All-American who returns after taking a redshirt season...2003 Bowling World Cup runner-up and gold medalist in singles at the Pan American Games...two-time U.S. Amateur champion and three-year member of Team USA...has six career college titles and 14 top-five finishes in 19 career events.

Christina Perez ? Lone senior on 2003-04 Husker roster...averaged a 185.97 in 60 games last season...four top-25 finishes last year, including a seventh-place showing at the Team Match Games in St. Louis.

Jamie Martin ?Third-year sophomore who was a mainstay in the lineup at the end of the 2002-03 season...averaged a 187.03 in 32 games a year ago...placed sixth at regionals with a 198.68 average...Omaha native who is the lone Nebraskan on this year’s roster.

Alice Foley ? Junior college transfer who bowled at Lackawanna (Pa.) College...2002 National Junior Gold finalist and 2001 Pennsylvania Women’s Bowler of the Year...has six career 300 games...seven-time Keystone State Games Medalist.

Adrienne Miller ? one of two true freshmen in the Husker lineup this week...five-time New Mexico Women’s bowler of the year and four-time National Junior Gold qualifier...three-time Coca-Cola New Mexico Youth champion...father, Mike, is a member of the Pro Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour...her aunt, Dana-Miller Mackie, is in the PWBA Hall of Fame.

Amanda Burgoyne ? considered by many to be the top high school bowler in the nation last year...two-year member of Junior Team USA and three-time U.S. Amateur qualifier....won two gold medals at the 2003 F.I.Q. Tournament of the Americas.