2008 Woodie Awards
Bowling Competes against Defending Champs
Brad HollandStaff Reporter
Issue date: 4/21/05 Section: Sports
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For the second straight year, the Sacred Heart University Women's bowling team competed at the NCAA tournament. The Pioneers (68-22) traveled to Orlando as fifth seed in the country. Defending Champion Nebraska (65-8) was once again favored to repeat.
A strenuous schedule against difficult opponents? The Pioneers were ready, even confidant.
"We're an underdog," said All-American senior Erin Gore before leaving for Florida. "Especially with teams like Nebraska in the tournament. But we're there to win. Obviously. And I think we have a really good chance."
Gore, asouthern girl who transferred to SHU as a sophomore, she now studies Finance and Business Admin and bowls for the Sacred Heart women's team.
College bowling insiders consider Gore one of the premier women's bowlers in the country. An All-American as a junior, she's all but guaranteed the same honor this year.
For Gore, this tournament would be the peak of a 14 year bowling career that began as a way to kill time on Saturday mornings.
"My friend and I signed up," she said, "and we played every second weekend. I found out that I loved it. But it wasn't until High School that I got serious, and began to improve."
Gore's High School didn't have a team, but she participated in club tournaments. Bowling every other weekend competitively, she found time during the weekdays to practice on her own schedule.
"I've worked hard at becoming a better bowler. I love to compete. Like any other sport," Gore said, "You have to be passionate to be good."
Gore's confidence in herself and her team is well founded. Her team improved steadily throughout the season. Underclassmen developed faster than anyone could have predicted. And the team's senior class was as strong as ever.
On Wednesday April 13, the Pioneers packed up and headed south to take on the cream of the crop, the best women's bowling programs in the country.