Lincoln - The Big Red Invitational bowling tournament kicked off the first day of competition in front of 350 fans at Sun Valley Lanes on Thursday night. After four 4-game Baker-style matches, No. 1 Nebraska sits fifth in the standings with a total pinfall of 2,925.

Second-ranked Vanderbilt leads the Big Red Invitational with a total pinfall of 3,124, while No. 3 Central Missouri is in second with a pinfall of 3,102. No. 20 Valparaiso is in third with a pinfall of 3,000, while seventh-ranked Arkansas State is in fourth place with a pinfall of 2,942.

The Huskers will continue the invitational on Friday morning, with five regular team games starting at 11:30 a.m. The last session of the tournament will take place Saturday morning, with five more traditional team games starting at 7:50 a.m.

The place finish for each team is determined by the total pinfall of all 14 matches played over the three-day tournament. The five person all-tournament team will consist of those individuals with the highest per-game average. The Big Red Invitational awards ceremony will commence at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

Worth Noting

• Lincoln's own Channel 10-11 went live at Sun Valley Lanes on Thursday night, as sports director Kevin Sjuts started off the Big Red Invitational with an honorary first roll.
  
• With 350 Husker fans in attendance, Sun Valley Lanes nearly reached its capacity of 400 people.
  
• Six Nebraska natives are competing at the Big Red Invitational this weekend, including Huskers Kaleena Henning (North Platte), Chelsey Mero (Lincoln) and Kristina Mickelson (Bellevue), Minnesota State Mavericks Kelsey Dunkle (Lincoln) and Britney Porter (Lincoln), and Central Missouri State's Ashley Bonebright (Lincoln).

Results after four 4-game Baker-style matches
Vanderbilt (3,124) 
Central Missouri State (3,102)
Valparaiso (3,000)
Arkansas State (2,942)
Nebraska (2,925)
Minnesota State-Mankato (2,896)
Prairie View A&M (2,798)
Elmhurst (2,524)