Feb. 20
Commentary by Ashley McCallum
The most recent update of the NCAA rankings for women’s bowing has bumped the UW-Whitewater Warhawks down from No. 7, to No. 9 in the nation. But this weekend’s Track-Kat Klash in Houston, Texas proved that rankings are just a number, and anything can happen in collegiate bowling.
The Warhawks placed third in Houston this weekend with an 11-5 record for the tournament. Highlights from the weekend include the ’Hawks’ win against second-ranked, defending national champion, University of Nebraska, who were considered the team to beat by head coach Leann Eimermann and senior stand-out Ashley Bell at the beginning of the season.
On the first day of the tournament, the Warhawks went 6-0 including wins over eighth-ranked Vanderbilt and sixth-ranked Stephen F. Austin.
The second day of the tournament brought losses against No. 14-ranked Valparaiso and unranked Texas Southern. The ’Hawks also lost by only one pin to first-ranked, and tournament champion, Arkansas State on Sunday, which accompanied their win over Nebraska that day as well.
With unpredictable wins and losses in Houston, it is hard to tell how the national tournament will pan-out this season. Arkansas State is currently considered at the very top of the NCAA, but lost by 37 pins to Valparaiso, a team that is consistently dropping in rankings and losing the momentum they have built in recent seasons.
The ’Hawks were able to keep a one-pin gap between them and Arkansas State, proving that being ranked first, does not mean total domination, like it has in past years.
A drop to ninth in ranking could be dangerous for the Warhawks, considering only eight teams make it to the NCAA nationals. But with unpredictable standings that have changed several times this season, as well as a ‘Hawks team that has been steadily improving and becoming more competitive, there is still a large chance for this Warhawk team to make it far at the national level.
A strong junior varsity, including freshman Taylor Hoppe who finished seventh individually at the Hoosier Classic this weekend, provides back-up for an already strong team led by seniors Katie Zwiefelhofer, who made the All-Tournament team for the Track Kat Klash, and Ashley Bell, who made All-American honors last year.
