Huskers Claim 2023 Northeast Classic Title

Deptford, N.J. - The Nebraska Bowling team went 13-0 to claim the title at the 2023 Northeast Classic, a tournament that had the largest number of competing teams since the 2004 NCAA Women's Bowling Championship. The Huskers finished overall with a total pinfall of 14,188 and a record of 13-0. The Huskers are now 58-21 on the year.      

"This was an outstanding win for the team," Head Coach Paul Klempa said. "An absolutely loaded field of 33 teams with 23 of the top 25 in the rankings competing. To win this event and have a 13-0 record in match play shows tremendous progress that the team has made in the past couple of months. I am proud of them for their dedication and commitment to making themselves and each other better. I am looking forward to the upcoming events and watching them continue on their journey." 

After two days of qualifying baker and traditional matches, the Big Red went undefeated (10-0) to lock up a No. 3 seed for Sunday's championship bracket. The Huskers first faced the No. 4 seed of Stephen F. Austin in Round One on Sunday morning. The Huskers began the best-of-seven play with a pair of losses (226-164) and (211-187) before NU pulled a reverse sweep (191-176), (223-190), (278-190), and (201-198). With the win, the Huskers advanced to the next round of the championship bracket against McKendree. 

No. 1 McKendree received the No. 2 overall seed in the tournament. The Huskers started the baker match with a win (214-200). McKendree then answered back with a pair of wins (213-201) and (178-161). NU then claimed game four (204-196) and McKendree took game five (213-194). Nebraska was able to tie game six (227-227) before winning game seven (188-157), tying both teams at 3.5, forcing a roll off. The Huskers sealed the match with a win (118-105) and a final score of 4.5-3.5 to advance to the championship match against Vanderbilt.  

No. 3 Vanderbilt was the No. 1 seed of the tournament and fell to Nebraska in the first two matches (225-228) and (193-169), but then came back with wins in game three and four: (194-192) and (235-181). The Big Red answered back in game five (204-191) and defeated Vanderbilt in game six (243-214) to win the championship title.  

Four Huskers finished in the top 20 overall individual standings. Freshman Jillian Martin led the Huskers in seventh with a total pinfall of 1,099. Senior Kendyl Hofmeister finished in 11th with a total pinfall of 1,080, and Anna Callan was close behind in 13th with 1,074. Rounding out the group was Kayla Verstraete at 15th with 1,068 pins.  

Up next, Nebraska will return to the lanes Jan. 27-29 in Arlington, Texas for the Prairie View A&M Invite. 

Northeast Classic Final Standings: 

No. 4 Nebraska: 14,188 (13-0) 
No. 3 Vanderbilt: 14,096 (11-1) 
No. 5 Stephen F. Austin : 13,912 (11-2)
No. 1 McKendree : 14,321 (9-4)
No. 7 Youngstown State: 13,885 (9-4)
No. 11 Maryville: 13,429 (9-4) 
No. 6 Arkansas State: 14,067 (10-3) 
No. 2 North Carolina A&T: 13,993 (5-8) 
No. 20 Univ of Central Missouri: 13,825 (11-2)
No. 12 Duquesne: 13,536 (7-6)
No. 8 Sam Houston State: 13,163 (8-5)
No. 18 Mercyhurst: 13,035 (6-7)
No. 24 Morgan State: 12,933 (6-6)
No. 25 Merrimack: 12,477 (7-6)
No. 15 Mount St. Mary's : 12,690 (8-4)
No. 10 Maryland Eastern Shore: 12,669 (6-7)
Fairleigh Dickinson: 12,817 (7-6)
No. 21 Sacred Heart: 12,652 (4-8)
No. 19 Medaille: 12,737 (9-4) 
No. 23 Univ of Wisconsin - Whitewater: 12,571 (7-6)
No. 17 Tulane: 12,639 (5-8)
No. 13  Delaware State: 12,933 (4-8)
Kutztown: 12,097 (6-7)
Monmouth: 12,554 (2-10)
Wilmington: 11,694 (4-9)
Wagner: 11,190 (6-6)
Bryant: 10,987 (2-10) 
LIU: 10,900 (4-8)
NJCU: 11,108 (4-8)
Chestnut Hill: 10,773 (3-9)
Mount Aloysius College: 9,328 (1-10)
St Francis College Brooklyn: 8,875 (2-8) 
Adelphi: 10,448 (0-12)