The Nebraska bowling
team returns to the lanes for the 2012-13 season after continuing its national
dominance by making it to the NCAA Tournament for the ninth straight season
last year. The Huskers fell one round short of making it to the NCAA finals in 2012, but return a strong group of
bowlers showing promise to lead the Huskers to their 10th straight NCAA
Tournament appearance.
Head Coach Bill Straub likes what this year’s squad brings to the table.
“Collectively, they have as much
potential as anytime we have had here,” Straub said. “We go through scrimmages
now with everyone not only fighting to succeed, but succeeding. That is a
rarity.”
With the graduations of seniors Valerie Calberry and Kayla Johnson, this year’s
Husker bowling team will rely heavily on returning NCAA and NTCA All-American
Kristina Mickelson. The senior from Bellevue, Neb., will be Nebraska’s lone
senior, but Straub said Mickelson is ready to carry the leadership load for the
Huskers.
“Kristi returns after having a terrific junior year culminating in being named
an All-American,” Straub said. “Kristi is the leader of the Huskers. Besides
her on-lane successes, she serves as captain/representative for the team on the
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).”
Also returning for NU this year is junior Tan Yan Ling, who brings much needed
experience for the young, but
talented group of Husker bowlers. Ling, a native of Singapore, has adjusted to
life in Nebraska well according to Straub.
“Yan
has worked diligently in acclimating herself to the land of Huskers,
academically, athletically, and socially,” Straub said.
Amanda Burau rounds out the group of Husker upperclassmen this season. The
junior from Lake in the Hills, Ill., will be looked upon to help lead the
Husker bowling team this year. A transfer from Elgin Community College, Burau
is expected to add depth to NU this year, and could contribute for the team.
Straub likes Burau’s work ethic, and
said she has shown improvement since joining the Huskers last season.
“Amanda puts in hard hours of effort trying to better herself and her team,” Straub said
Sophomore Elise Bolton will look to make an immediate impact for the Huskers
this year. The native of Merritt Island, Fla., will be competing in her first
season as a Husker after transferring from Sam Houston State. Straub said he
had high hopes for Bolton this season and beyond.
“Elise has had a stellar junior career as shown by her current position with
the USA National Junior Team,” Straub said. “She has won multiple gold medals
for Junior Team USA, and finished second in last year’s Intercollegiate Singles
Championships.”
After competing at a high level for the Huskers as a freshman, sophomore Liz
Kuhlkin looks to build on her rookie season. Straub said Kuhlkin’s
accomplishments were impressive, but could translate into even more success as
a sophomore.
“One of the very few true freshmen to ever succeed so highly, Liz was a
valuable starter at every tournament during the 2011-12 season for us, earning
all-star status in four events,” Straub said.
Another former transfer trying to make an impact for the Huskers this season
will be Andrea Ruiz. The sophomore from Bogota, Columbia, will try and adjust to the difficulty bowling at the collegiate
level. Straub likes the international experience Ruiz brings to NU.
“Andrea is a current member of the Columbian Junior National Team, having won
medals for her country while competing in South America, North America, Europe
and Asia.”
Four
freshmen will compete for NU this
season, making this team one of the youngest squads in school history.
April Campbell, a native of Bellevue, Neb., will hope to add depth this season.
The Nebraska all-state bowler will hope to settle into collegiate bowling this
season.
“April begins this, her freshman year, with the Huskers ready to help extend
the team’s history of success,” Straub said.
Emily Eckhoff will look to find success in her first season of collegiate
bowling this year. Eckhoff, a freshman from Denver, Colo., brings strong
amateur level experience to the lanes this year.
“Her performance there internationally successful professional bowlers will
serve her well as she joins the Husker team.” Straub said.
After finding international success before coming to Nebraska, Watford,
England, native Beth Hedley is hoping to continue her successful bowling career
for the Huskers.
“Hedley has been a multiple gold medal winner for Junior Team England, twice
winning the European Youth Championship and helping her team win the title at
the 2012 World Youth Games held in Bangkok, Thailand,” Straub said.
Collierville, Tenn., native Emily Nykiel hopes to add depth to the talent-rich
NU bowling team. Nykiel, a two-time state runner-up at the Tennessee State
Championships, will hope to use her past success in competing for the Huskers
this year.
The Nebraska bowling team will not host the Big Red Invite this year in
Lincoln, instead the Huskers will start their season off on Nov. 11-13 at the
Crusader Classic, in Valparaiso, Ind. The Huskers finished second in the
tournament last season, and hope to start the season off strong with a win.
The Huskers will then go to the Track Kat Classic, hosted by Sam Houston State,
in Huntsville Texas on Nov. 30. NU finished fourth in the tournament last year.
After a month break due to winter break, the Huskers will head to the
Mid-Winter Invitational in Jonesboro, Ark., on Jan. 11. NU finished fourth at
the tournament last year.
After
another month break, NU will head to Arlington, Texas for two consecutive
tournaments in two weeks. The Huskers will compete at the Prairie View A&M
Invite on Feb. 1 and then the Southern University Invite on Feb. 8.
NU
will then go to the Greater Ozark Invitational on March 1, held in Kansas City,
Mo. The Huskers did not compete at this tournament last year. In the last
tournament of the season, the Huskers will head to the Music City Classic in
Nashville, Tenn. The tournament was the lone Husker tournament win last year.
The NCAA Championships will be held on April 11, in Fenton, Mich. The Huskers
will hope to win their ninth national championship.
