By Aime Rutayisire, Sports Editor
Great Lakes Valley Conference Coach of the Year Billy Murphy and the Newman Women’s Bowling team participated in the program’s first NCAA tournament game in program history last weekend in Arlington, Texas.
And even though the No. 3-seeded Jets ultimately lost to No, 6-seeded Wichita State University in the semifinal round on Saturday, the team saw strong performances from freshman Danielle Walbaum, senior Kassidy Miller, freshman Claire Jacobson, and sophomore Ashley Soto.
A couple of weeks earlier, The Jets won the GLVC tournament title and also tied the program record on NCAA wins in a single season with 74.
Freshman Walbaum said that the team's confidence grew during the past year.
“I believe we get better every day on and off the lanes,” Walbaum said. “But overall seeing the whole team grow this much in a year is crazy.”
Reflecting back on the weekend, Walbaum said she was proud of her performance. On Saturday morning, The Jets played the Wichita State Shockers. “I bowled really good,” she said. “I was calm and had a loose arm swing.”.
The following day, she started to have some freshman jitters, which she said eventually affected her ability to relax.
Walbaum said she plans to address her nerves over the summer.
“I’m going to work really hard on staying relaxed and find a way to calm down when in pressure situations,” she said.
Walbaum said she is confident in how good the team will be next year as well.
“I believe we can do it again,” she said. “I believe we have the team to win as long as we keep working hard.”
The team ultimately placed third at the regionals..
The women will wrap up their season on April 18 when they compete at the Intercollegiate Team Championships in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
PHOTO: Courtesy, Newman Athletics
