Huskers Fill Field of Contenders at U.S. Women's Open

Eleven former Husker bowlers began competition in the U.S. Women’s Open on Tuesday in Las Vegas.

Five Huskers put themselves in solid positions to advance by closing the first day of competition among the top-16 competitors in the 108-player field. Lindsay (Baker) Boomershine leads the strong and deep contingent in the U.S. Open field, closing the first eight games with a 1,627 total pinfall (203.38 avg.). Meghan Straub, a 2019 senior All-American at Nebraska, is not far behind Boomershine, closing the first day of action in 13th place with a total pinfall of 1,619 (202.38). 

Legendary Husker All-Americans Julia Bond (14th; 1,606; 200.75), Diandra (Hyman) Asbaty (15th; 1,600; 200.00) and Liz Kuhlkin (16th; 1,594; 199.25) complete the top 16 after the first eight games. Kuhlkin is the defending U.S. Women's Open champion.

Husker All-American Cassandra Leuthold is also in early position to advance to the next round. Leuthold, who currently lives in Lincoln, closed the first eight games with a 1,561 total pinfall (195.13) to sit in 29th place. Former Husker Erin McCarthy from Omaha is also in position to make a move up the standings, after an opening-day total of 1,533 (191.63). She enters Wednesday's second qualifying round in 38th place.

Husker All-American Shannon Pluhowsky sits in a tie for 44th (1,519; 189.88) after the opening day, while All-American Gazmine Mason is tied for 47th (1,516; 189.50). Husker All-American Elise Bolton (1,505, 188.13) put herself in the top half of the competition by closing Tuesday in 53rd, while All-American Valerie (Calberry) Bercier ended the day in 81st (1,437; 179.63).

Wednesday features eight more games in the second round of qualifying, before the final eight games of qualifying play wrap up Thursday. The top 36 bowlers after 24 games will advance to a cashers' round and bowl eight more games to determine the top 24 round-robin match play. The first of three eight-game rounds of match play begins Friday at 7 p.m. (CT). Total pinfall, including bonus pins, for 56 games will determine the five finalists in the stepladder finals.

BowlTV continues to provide live coverage of qualifying and match-play rounds, while the top five competitors at the end of the week will compete for the U.S. Women’s Open championship live on CBS Sports Network with the finals taking place on Sunday, June 23 at 4 p.m. (CT).

Huskers in the 2019 U.S. Women's Open
First Qualifying Round (June 18)
11. Lindsay (Baker) Boomershine - 1,627 (203.38)
13. Meghan Straub - 1,619 (202.38)
14. Julia Bond - 1,606 (200.75)
15. Diandra (Hyman) Asbaty - 1,600 (200.00)
16. Liz Kuhlkin* - 1,594 (199.25) 
29. Cassie Leuthold - 1,561 (195.13)
38. Erin McCarthy - 1,533 (191.63)
T44. Shannon Pluhowsky - 1,519 (189.88)
T47. Gazmine (GG) Mason - 1,516 (189.50)
53. Elise Bolton - 1,505 (188.13)
81. Valerie (Calberry) Bercier - 1,437 (179.63)