Huskers Bowlers Begin Stretch Run

Lincoln -- With one month left until the first-ever NCAA Bowling Championships, the Nebraska bowling team begins its own version of March madness this weekend, as the Huskers begin the home stretch of their 2003-04 campaign. The Huskers, who has won five of their six regular-season tournaments, head east this week, traveling to New Jersey for the NCAA Northeast Challenge.

The match up between the Huskers and the Knights, who are the top two collegiate programs in the latest poll, will be a good test for NU, which has not competed in late January.

"This weekend matches the top two teams in college bowling, and FDU is someone we have not seen a lot in competitions," Nebraska Coach Bill Straub said. "Both teams have had great years, but we have been in different tournaments. It’s good to get back into competition these next two weeks before nationals."

The Huskers will take the following lineup to New Jersey this weekend: Amanda Burgoyne; Jamie Martin; Adrienne Miller; Shannon Pluhowsky; Jennifer Schultz and Melissa Stewart.

Unlike the previous tournaments this season, this weekend’s event will be stretched over three-days, helping the Husker bowlers simulate the NCAA Championships in Houston next month. The tournament starts Friday evening and runs until Sunday morning.

"Our kids have worked hard for the last month and are ready for this weekend," Straub said. "It will test our stamina, as we will travel there on Friday morning and compete the same day, but we are looking forward to this weekend.

Another positive for Straub is that the Huskers should be able to return to their East Campus home next weekend. Renovations on the bowling lanes the past six weeks have forced NU to adjust its schedule and practice at Sun Valley Lanes off campus.

"It has been a mixed blessing for us," Straub said. "It’s off campus, but it has given our bowlers a different look and feel. The extra lanes there have also allowed us to do more individual work, as each bowler has been able to bowl on their own lanes. I think our kids are worked hard, but are looking forward to returning to campus next week."

Burgoyne; Miller Making Freshmen Waves

Freshmen Adrienne Miller and Amanda Burgoyne have quietly enjoyed two of the best freshman seasons in school history. Burgoyne has bowled in all six tournaments, averaging a 197.575, a mark that would rank fourth-best among all NU freshmen. Burgoyne, a current Team USA member from Newport, Minn., joins Shannon Pluhowsky as NU’s only other individual event winner, taking home the Women’s Triad Classic in November. She has three top five finishes and six top 25 finishes. Miller, who has competed in five of the Huskers’ six tournaments, is averaging a 196.917 in 36 games, including a pair of third-place finishes.

Pluhowsky Featured in SI on Campus

Nebraska bowler Shannon Pluhowsky is featured nationally in this week’s edition of Sports Illustrated on Campus. The three-time U.S. Amateur champion is profiled in a three-page story with other Olympic sport standouts and includes a portrait of Pluhowsky and one of her bowling balls frozen in a 300-pound block of ice.

Last Time Out: Huskers Win in Las Vegas

In its last meet, NU won the NCAA division of the Brunswick Coca-Cola Classic on Jan. 25. The Huskers finished on top in head-to-head action, going 5-1 against the other NCAA teams. The Huskers edged out Maryland-Eastern Shore’s mark of 4-2. Amanda Burgoyne was selected to the all-tournament team, placing second with an average of 208.4. It is the second top-five finish for Burgoyne, as the Team USA member won the Triad Women’s Classic in November.

NCAA Championships to be Televised on ESPN2

The inaugural NCAA women’s bowling championship will be covered on ESPN2. The upcoming NCAA Championship is from April 8-10, in Houston, Texas, and will be shown on a tape-delayed basis on Sunday, April 11, at 1 p.m. (central).