Lincoln, Neb.- The NTCA top-rated Nebraska women’s bowling team is back in action this weekend at the Mid-Winter Classic held in Jonesboro, Ark., by Arkansas State University. NU will face a challenging 17-team-field during the three-day-competition beginning Friday at noon with five sets of five Baker game matches.
Nebraska Head Coach Bill Straub said that he is ready to see how the Huskers fare after a month off of competition due to winter break. Straub did mention however some NU bowlers went to Las Vegas and competed at the USA Team Trials, including sophomore Gazmine Mason who made Junior Team USA, which should help them compete during the long days of competition.
“The preparation has been really good this week, we had six ladies travel to Las Vegas to compete at the Team USA Trials, some did real well, and then some certainly did a respectable job,” Straub said. “So with that, I think we have had some good prep during our break, we think we can play to that with all of the bowling we have to do this weekend.”
The Huskers will be without two contributing members, including one starter this weekend as Colombian natives Andrea Ruiz and Alexandra Mosquera are in Colombia competing for spots on the countries national bowling team.
With the loss of Ruiz, a senior as well as a starter, Struab believes the Huskers depth will be able to lead NU to victory this weekend despite her absence.
“The girls in Colombia, it would be really nice if we had some availability for them but they are doing well down there and we wish them the best,” Straub said. “Hopefully both Andrea and Alex will be ready to go for our next tournament.
NU will face off with some of its rivals this weekend in Jonesboro, as the Huskers will compete against the Arkansas State Red Wolves. ASU is coached by former Husker alumnus and men’s bowler Justin Kostick and is always a touch-outing for the Huskers.
“Arkansas State is very-well coached, they are coached by Coach Kostick who is an ex-Husker who did a real good job around here and especially down there,” Struab said. “He runs a very good program, they are really tough—we look forward to competing against them.”
Check back at Huskers.com for full-tournament-results as the Nebraska bowling team competes at the Mid-Winter Classic in Jonesboro Ark.
Where: Jonesboro Bowling Center, 3102 Shelby Drive, Jonesboro, AR
When: Jan. 16 Noon 5 sets of 5 Baker game matches
Jan. 17 9:40 am 5 team games
Jan. 18 8:30 am 3 Matches of Baker 4 of 7 Bracket Format
Nebraska Travelers:
Kelly Belzeski
Julia Bond
April Campbell
Melanie Crawford
Beth Hedley
Liz Kuhlkin
Gazmine Mason
Briana Zabierek
Teams competing:
Nebraska
Alabama Birmingham
Alabama A&M
Alabama State
Bethune Cookman
Central Missouri
Jackson State
Louisiana Tech
Maryland Eastern-Shore
McKendree
Sam Houston State
Stephen F. Austin
Tulane
Vanderbilt
Valparaiso
Wisconsin-Whitewater
Arkansas State