Strike, spare or split – NU Husker Bowling is #1!
The 2014 – 15 Nebraska Husker Bowling team began the season ranked No. 1 by the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA). Led by seniors Lizbeth Kuhlkin and Andrea Ruiz plus a group of talented juniors and sophomores, this year’s team has set their sights on another National Championship.
Husker ladies began their quest Nov, 7 – 9 at the Crusader Classic in Valparaiso, IN where they placed first by outlasting Arkansas State 4 -1 in the championship match. Senior Lizbeth Kuhlkin won the all tournament honors and the Individual Championship. On Nov 13 – 15 the Huskers hosted the Big Red Invitational at Sun Valley Lanes in Lincoln, NE. Senior Lizbeth Kuhlkin led the team to victory during day one while freshman Julia Bond led the Huskers to victory on day two. Day three saw the team place fourth in the final standings out of the seven team field. The following weekend the team traveled to Houston, Texas to compete in an 18-team field at the Track Kat Klash. On Sunday afternoon Nov. 23, Senior Lizabeth Kuhlkin again led the ladies to victory edging out Arkansas State 4 – 3 for the 3-day Championship.
N (Photo Credit Kelli Anne)
What you may not know is that the University of Nebraska Lincoln sponsors and supports 22 sports for both men and women. While football, basketball and volleyball are more recognizable and popular with the fan base, the remainder of the sports compete yearly and are not covered much by the media. One of those sports is BOWLING.
The Cornhusker Bowling program began as a club sport combined with a men’s bowling team. In 1996 it became a varsity sport with just the women’s program. In 2003 the NCAA sanctioned bowling as an official collegiate sport. From the beginning, our bowling teams have achieved great success nationally. Look in the Nebraska bowling trophy case and you will find multiple National Championship awards as Nebraska won national titles in 1991, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2009 and 2013.
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From the beginning, the bowling program has been led by one person, Bill Straub. Bill was born and raised in Lincoln, Ne. He had a long, professional bowling career not only in Nebraska but also nationally. You will find Bill Straub’s name enshrined in the Nebraska Bowling Hall of Fame, the Omaha Bowling Hall of Fame and the Lincoln Bowling Hall of Fame. Hired as the full-time Nebraska head coach in 1996, he continues to successfully direct the program while mentoring many young female athletes to collegiate and nationals honors. His excellence has been proven by building winning teams with his recruiting expertise locally, nationally and internationally.
Bowling is in the midst of a two month break. The team will be back in action Jan 16 – 18 when they will travel to Jonesboro, AR to compete in the Mid-Winter Classic. The bowling season lasts into early April terminating with the NCAA championships that will be held in St. Louis, MO April 9 -11 at the Tropicana Bowling Lanes. Stay tuned to HUSKER CORNER for the updates as the season progresses. GO BIG RED!!