Huskers Begin Regular Season at Crusader Classic

Nebraska at Crusader Classic

Nov. 12th- 3:30 p.m., Nov. 13th- 11:30 a.m., Nov .14th- 8:30 a.m.

Stardust Bowl II, 3925 E. Lincoln Hwy., Merrillville, IN

The Nebraska bowling team begins their regular season this Friday at the Crusader Classic hosted by Valparaiso University. The three-day tournament is slated to begin Nov. 12th at 3:30 and conclude Sunday, Nov. 14that 8:30 a.m.

Nebraska, the 2009-10 NCAA runner-ups, will be in competition against six other teams in the seven team field. Other teams included are Valparaiso, Elmhurst, Minnesota-Mankato, Wisconsin-Whitewater, Adrian College and Arkansas State.

Nebraska will be traveling seven bowlers. Included on the traveling team are Valerie Calberry, Kayla Johnson, Jasmine Laugerman, Kristi Mickelson, Katie Ann Sopp, Kayla Stram and Danielle van der Meer.

Following the Crusader Classic, Nebraska will enjoy a three-week break before the Capital City Collegiate Classic beginning on Dec. 3rd.

The Huskers return seven letter-winners from last year's team: Shalima Zalsha, Kristina Mickelson, Danielle van der Meer, Valerie Calberry, Jasmine Laugerman, Katie Ann Sopp and Kayla Stram.

Last Season: NCAA Finals

The Huskers earned a second-consecutive trip to the NCAA Championships at North Brunswick, New Jersey from April 8th to the 10th.

In one of the closest games in NCAA history, the Nebraska bowling team fell 4-3 to Fairleigh Dickinson University at the 2010 NCAA Championship match.The Huskers fell only pins short of capturing back-to-back NCAA titles.

NU and FDU were evenly matched throughout the finals and were forced to head into the seventh game for just the second time in NCAA finals history. The Huskers, who had never lost a match in the finals prior to the 2010 NCAA Championships, held an 11-2 record over the tournament.

Despite an early 0-1 deficit, the Huskers made a huge comeback in game two, rallying together to tie the series at 1-1.

With the game tied at 1-1, the Huskers were up just three pins midway through the third game. Nebraska Coach Bill Straub subbed redshirt freshman and Nebraska native Kristina Mickelson for Laugerman in the third game. Mickelson was a huge payoff for the Huskers, as she did not roll one open frame during the finals. After the win, the Huskers led the series 2-1 as they moved into the fourth game.

Even with the momentum change in the third game, the Huskers were unable to keep the 2-1 lead and fell to the Knights in the fourth game. However, the Huskers came out swinging in the fifth game and took a 3-2 lead over the Knights.

The Huskers and the Knights were evenly matched throughout the sixth game, but the Huskers fell short and FDU tied the series at 3-3 heading into the seventh and final game.

As the No. 1 seed in the tournament, the Huskers got the lane choice in the seventh frame. However, NU struggled in game seven and FDU was up 169-145 in the eighth frame. With little hope to win, the Huskers subbed out Leuthold at anchor in the 10th frame and put in senior captain and Nebraska native Kaleena Henning to bowl. Although Henning rolled a spare, FDU was too much for the Huskers in the 10th and captured the 2010 NCAA title.

The end of the 2010 season marks the end of an era for two Husker bowlers, as seniors Leuthold and Henning will exhaust their time at Nebraska. Leuthold, who captured the 2010 NCAA Player of the Year award, and Henning, a two-time captain for the Husker squad, have provided valuable leadership and skill to the Nebraska bowling program for several seasons.

Since bowling became an NCAA-sanctioned sport in 2004, the Huskers have captured three NCAA titles, one runner-up finish and two third-place finishes.