Huskers Return to Host Big Red Invitational

Big Red Invitational

Jan. 20-22

6:25 p.m., 11:30 a.m., 8 a.m. | Sun Valley Lanes, Lincoln, NE

The Nebraska bowling team returns to Lincoln to host its only tournament of the year at the Big Red Invitational. The tournament runs from Thursday, Jan. 16 to Sunday, Jan. 22 at Sun Valley Lanes (321 Victory Lane) in Lincoln. The Huskers are coming off of a fifth-place finish at the Mid-Winter Classic in Jonesboro, Ark., and are looking to take the next step of the spring season.

Practice on each team's starting pair and National Anthem are to commence at 6:10 p.m. on Thursday, with three four-game baker matches set to begin at 6:25 p.m. Competition is set to resume on Friday at 11:30 with four traditional team game matches. Saturday will conclude the tournament beginning at 8:15 a.m. with four of seven baker matches in the first round of final competition. The second and third round is to follow after practice on each team's respective pair. Saturday will conclude with the awards ceremony set for 1:00 p.m. Team awards will be given to the event champion and second-place finisher. All-tournament teams will also be presented to the top-five individual performers.

Nebraska is one of ten teams competing at this year's invitational, including Valparaiso, Vanderbilt, Bethune-Cookman University, Elmhurst College, Arkansas State University, Minnesota State University, Sam Houston State University, University of Central Missouri and University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

The Husker roster will include Valerie Calberry, Stephanie Casey, Kayla Johnson, Jasmine Laugerman, Kristina Mickelson, Katie Ann Sopp, Kayla Stram, Danielle van der Meer and Shalima Zalsha.

Admission to the event is free for UNL students with a valid ID, $3 for youth and $5 for adults. On Thursday, the first 50 students with valid student ID receive a free Nebraska Bowling shirt and
from 2-4 p.m. there will be free bowling for students with valid student ID. The first 50 students who bowl will also receive a free slice of pizza.

Following the Big Red Invitational, the Huskers will enjoy a lengthy break until they return to action Feb. 19-20 at the Morgan State Invitational in Baltimore, Md.

Big Red Invitational Live Scoring is available at this link: http://www.sunvalleylanes.com/onlinescoring.htm

Review: Huskers Finish Fifth at Mid-Winter Classic

The Nebraska bowling team finished in fifth-place at the Mid-Winter Classic in Cabot, Ark over the weekend. The Huskers built themselves up to be the number three-seed heading into the final day of competition behind Maryland-Eastern Shore and Central Missouri.

In the first match on Sunday, the Huskers fell to number four-seed Vanderbilt 4-3 after the Commodores came back from a 3-2 Nebraska advantage. Nebraska followed up the defeat to Vanderbilt with another close loss to Arkansas State in the second match of the day. The Huskers again had a 3-2 lead over the Red Wolves that they weren't able to hold onto in the final two games.

In the final match of the day for the Huskers, they defeated Alabama A&M 4-1 to finish in fifth-place at the Mid-Winter Classic.

The Huskers will be back in action Thursday, Jan. 20 as they host the Big Red Invitational at Sun Valley Lanes in Lincoln. The three-day tournament will be the only home bowling event for the Huskers this season.