Huskers Begin Defense of NCAA Title This Weekend

The Nebraska bowling team will begin defense of its national title this weekend at the Jonesboro Invitational in Jonesboro, Ark. The competition is held at the Jonesboro Bowling Center, and begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. on Sunday. The Huskers will be competing against some of the top teams in the nation, including Central Missouri State, last season’s NCAA runner-up.

The Huskers tied a school record with seven tournament titles in 2003-04, culminating in the school’s first NCAA Championship last April in Houston, Texas. It was the sixth national title in school history, but the first since the sport earned NCAA Championship status in April of 2003.

Nebraska returns all seven members who made the trip to nationals. The members include: Nicole Aleo, Amanda Burgoyne, Karla Engh, Jamie Martin, Adrienne Miller, Shannon Pluhowsky and Jennifer Schultz. Melissa Stewart also returns to the Husker lineup as well as redshirt freshmen Mindy Pancoast and Patience Price. Lindsay Baker, Dezra Brown and Kelli Roach are the freshmen who hope to add to the Husker dynasty.

Head Coach Bill Straub begins has seen all the changes made to collegiate bowling through out the years. He enters his eighth year as Nebraska’s head coach.

According to Coach Straub this is the most fundamentally sound team he has ever coached.

"Everyone who is back from last year’s team has done everything possible to improve," Straub said. "All of the women have been devoted to their development, not only fundamentals but controlling their emotions. Everyone worked very hard over the summer and focused on what they needed to improve on.

Quick Look at this Week’s Lineup
Shannon Pluhowsky- Three-time All-American who returns for her final season as a Husker...2003 World Cup runner-up and gold medalist in singles at the Pan American Games...four-year member of Team USA...has 10 career college titles and 21 top-five finishes in 28 career events.

Amanda Burgoyne- Enjoyed one of the finest rookie seasons in school history...2004 member of Team USA...four-time member of Junior Team USA...took home gold at the Tournament of the Americas in August of 2004 in doubles.

Jamie Martin- Competed in eight out of nine possible events last year...posted seven top-25 finishes in 2003-04...averaged a 206.364 in 55 games...best perfomance was at the Triad Women’s Classic where she finshed third overall and averaged a 227.000 in five games.

Adrienne Miller- As a true freshman, competed in eight out of nine tournaments...best showing was at the Holiday Collegiate averaging a 225.25 in eight games... her father, Mike, is a member of the Pro Bowlers Association (PBA)....her aunt, Dana Miller-Mackie, is in the PBWA Hall of Fame.

Karla Engh- Became a valuable asset to the team late in the season...career high average 217.400 at the NCAA Championships...end of last season, posted second highest average on the team (216.154).

Nicole Aleo- Will provide depth through her experience...competed in just one tournament last year averaging a 188.833...as a true freshman she averaged a 183.68 in 25 games.

Lindsay Baker- Top high school recruit in 2004, according to Coach Straub...has bowled four 300 games...three-time member of the Junior Team USA (2001-02-03)...her uncle, Tom, is a member of the PBA.