Husker Bowlers Win Season Opener

Jonesboro, Ark. ? The Nebraska bowling team opened the 2004-2005 season in impressive style, cruising to the Arkansas State Invitational title over the weekend.

The Huskers, who began defense of their NCAA title, went a perfect 10-0 during the two-day event, easily topping 2004 NCAA runner-up Central Missouri State, which went 5-5 in the competition. Arkansas State, which was making its NCAA debut, was third with a 3-7 mark while Southern University placed fourth (2-8).

"We went into this tournament with the idea that we wanted to be successful," Nebraska Coach Bill Straub said. "We wanted to play as well as our current development showed, and I think we did that this weekend."

The Huskers also nearly pulled a clean sweep of the all-tournament team, taking four of the five spots. Sophomore Amanda Burgoyne (Newport, Minn.) led the Husker contingent with an average of 234.

She was joined on the squad by freshman Lindsay Baker (Amherst, N.Y), who finished with a 229 average, senior All-American Shannon Pluhowsky (Phoenix, Ariz.,), who averaged a 228 and sophomore Adrienne Miller (Albuquerque, N.M.), who averaged a 225 in the tournament.

Straub was impressed by the performance of Baker, who was making her collegiate debut this weekend.

"Lindsay did a terrific job," Straub said. "She has had a lot of experience in tournament play and is used to traveling to tournaments. She gained some composure through this tournament, and had a successful first
tournament showing.  It can be tough getting things started, but I think she will do just fine this year."

The Huskers return to action next weekend, as they travel to Whitewater, Wis., for the Whitewater Invitational, Nov. 6-7.

Final Team Results

1. Nebraska 10-0

2. Central Missouri State 5-5

3. Arkansas State 3-7

4. Southern 2-8

-- Huskers --