Burgoyne Rolls Huskers to Third Straight Title

Greensboro, N.C. ? The Nebraska bowling team continued its early-season dominance, winning the Women’s Triad Classic Sunday afternoon. The Huskers finished with a total pinfall of 5,463, easily defeating the four other NCAA teams that competed in the two-day tournament which consisted of 10 team games and 10 baker-style games.

"We went down there with six bowlers, including two freshmen and two sophomores and bowled extremely well," Nebraska Coach Bill Straub said. "This was some of the best competition we faced so far, so we were happy with our performance,"

Fairleigh Dickinson was second with 5,238, while defending Intercollegiate Bowling Champion Central Missouri State placed third with a pinfall of 5,158. New Jersey City University (5,108) and Sacred Heart (4,868) rounded out the field.

The Huskers have now opened the season with three straight tournament titles, the first time that has happened since the 2001-02 season, when NU won a school-record eight tournament titles.

While Nebraska claimed its third straight team title, the only drama took place in the individual honors, as freshman Amanda Burgoyne (Newport, Minn.) won her first collegiate title with an average of 235 over 10 games. It marked the first time a Husker freshman won an individual tournament title since Shannon Pluhowsky and Suzanne Medwell each won tournaments during the 2000-01 season.

"Amanda has traveled around the world competing in individual tournaments, but college bowling is a different format and it takes a little time to adjust," Straub said. "She just needed some time to get used to the format, and she really has bowled well the last two of weeks. As she gains more experience, she can be a star for us."

Burgoyne was one of three Huskers chosen for the all-tournament team, as sophomore Jamie Martin (Omaha, Neb.) equaled her career-high finish, placing third with a career-high 227 average, while junior Shannon Pluhowsky (Phoenix, Ariz.) was fourth with a 224 average.

Straub noted that Martin, a former walk-on, has joined Pluhowsky as one of the veterans on a youthful squad, as she has been among the team leaders in average in all three events this season.

"Jamie has really bowled well for us," Straub said. "From being the 11th or 12th bowler on our roster as a freshman to earning all-tournament honors this week and finishing in the top five in each of our last two tournaments, it shows the great strides she has made over the past two years."

The Huskers will be off this week before heading to the biggest tournament of the fall, the National Collegiate Match Games over Thanksgiving weekend.

Team Pinfall
Nebraska - 5,463
Fairleigh Dickenson - 5,238
Central Missouri State -  5,158
New Jersey City University - 5,108
Sacred Heart - 4,868