Huskers Claim Penguin Classic Title

Struthers, Ohio - The No. 5 Nebraska Cornhuskers won the championship in its first tournament of the 2024-25 season at the Penguin Classic, going 11-2 and tallying a pinfall of 13,697 with a 214.0 average. 

The Huskers maintained a first-place position and a 8-2 record throughout the weekend, entering the first best of seven baker match against No. 17 Wichita State on Sunday morning. The Big Red started with Anna Callan, Kayla Starr, Brenna Hartzler, Kayla Verstraete and Jillian Martin. In the first game, Nebraska bowled a 214 fueled by Martin’s three strikes in the 10th frame as NU topped Wichita State, 214-180. The Cornhuskers rolled a 206 over the Shockers’ 197, to take a 2-0 lead in the match. Nebraska recorded four consecutive strikes in the third game as the Huskers again topped Wichita State, 217-192. In game four, Martin led the way for NU with four strikes, but Wichita State ended on top, 212-202, and the match to 3-1. In the fifth, both teams tied with a score of 202, bringing the match to 3.5-1.5. Nebraska tallied seven strikes in a row and bowled a 258 over the Shockers’ 210, to take the match 4.5-1.5 and send the Huskers to the championship.

With no playoff implications but still counting towards the team’s overall win-loss record, Nebraska faced Walsh in round two before its match in the championship. The Huskers subbed in Karina Capron for Starr in the second position as the team bowled a 194 to top Walsh, 194-156, to lead the match 1-0. In game two, NU rolled a 189 over the Cavaliers’ 147. The Cornhuskers recorded seven strikes as Nebraska bowled a 246 to again top Walsh, 246-156, extending their match lead to 3-0. In game four, Nebraska tallied 10 strikes and a 233 over Walsh’s 190 to defeat the Cavaliers, 4-0. 

In a rematch of the first round of bracket play, the Cornhuskers met No. 17 Wichita State in the championship match. Nebraska’s lineup for the finals was Callan, Capron, Hartzler, Verstraete and Martin. In game one, the Big Red recorded eight strikes and bowled a 186. Martin tallied four strikes as NU topped Wichita State 186-164, to start 1-0 on the match. The Huskers then bowled a 201 to the Shocker’s 180, bringing the match lead to 2-0. In the third game, Nebraska recorded seven strikes and rolled a 241 to top Wichita State, 241-191. NU bowled a 206 led by Martin’s double in the 10th frame to put Nebraska over Wichita State, 206-182, and the first tournament victory for the Cornhuskers since the 2022-23 season.   

Four Huskers finished in the top 25 for individual performances. Hartzler was sixth overall with a total pinfall of 1,102 and a 220.4 average. Martin was in eighth with a total pinfall of 1,092 and 218.4 average. Callan comes in at 11th with a total pinfall of 1,068 and an average of 213.8. Verstraete sits a few spots down at 13 with a total pinfall of 1,057 and a 211.4 average. 

NU returns to the lanes Oct. 18-20 as the Huskers travel to Orlando, Fla., for the Destination Orlando tournament hosted by No. 18 Sacred Heart.

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