The most dominant program in collegiate bowling added another national championship trophy to the case Saturday.
Just days after standing on the brink of elimination from the regional round, Nebraska downed Arkansas State 4-1 in the best of seven championship match to earn the program’s sixth NCAA championship, and eighth national title overall. The title is the first for head coach Paul Klempa who took over for legendary coach Bill Straub in the fall of 2019.
“We looked real bleak early, but this group is extremely resilient,” Klempa said following Saturday’s match. “A lot of grit. Determined. Once they got rolling, nobody could get in their way. That’s just how it went. They’re really special.”
The starting lineup for the Huskers consisted of Michelle Guarro, Gwen Maeha, Kayla Verstraete, Cassidy Ray and Crystal Elliott in the baker format where each bowler rolls two frames per match in order.
“I feel really good, just on top of the world right now,” Ray said. “This team has worked so hard to get to this moment, and we took it and ran with it. After Wednesday (losing in the first round), I wasn’t sure what to expect, but we earned that win.”
Bowling became a varsity sport in 1998 while the NCAA sanctioned the sport in 2004. The Huskers are the only program to make the national tournament every season since 2004, and have made the championship match a nation-leading 10 times. The title brings Nebraska Athletics to 29 total across five sports (Men’s Gymnastics – 8, Bowling – 8, Football – 5, Volleyball – 5, Women’s Track & Field – 3).
Featured Image by Kenny Larabee
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