Muleskinner

Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: Sports

Commentary: Nate Taylor [Click to enlarge]

I walked into the room and all ten of them looked at me. It was like we had both waited for this moment. Finally I had the chance to talk to the Jennies' bowling team.

Now you're probably thinking, 'Nate, why in the world are you writing about the bowling team?' Well friend, that's the point. This team needs to be written about.

This is for all you fair-weather Central Missouri fans out there: The Jennies' bowling team is the best team we have at this University. Period.

So why do few people realize this? I don't know, but let me tell you what I do know. Every team at UCM should try to learn from this one.

Next Thursday, the bowlers will travel to Omaha, Neb. for the NCAA Championships in hopes of winning a national title. With a record this season of 68-12, the fourth-ranked Jennies are among the top-eight teams in the country for the fifth consecutive year.

They have all the components that make a championship team. A Coach of the Year candidate in Ron Holmes, last year's Division II Player of the Year in senior Bryanna Caldwell (who should win UCM Female Athlete of the Year) and a crew of role players like Jamie Mitchell and Alysa Surges that have gotten the job done all year.

Here is the kicker, though. This isn't even the best team the Jennies have had since their captain Caldwell has been here, and she is not afraid to say it.

"I think our strongest team was when I was freshmen," Caldwell said. "This year has been more of a progression about team chemistry."

That's the Jennies best component. In an era of sports when athletics has become more about "look at me" than the team, it's unique to see the Jennies not have individual agendas.

Just take senior Sam Swanson for example.

This season, Holmes changed Swanson's position in the lineup and moved her to more of a set-up role. Swanson could have gotten down or mad at Holmes. Instead, Swanson willingly accepted her role and made the Jennies a better team.

"Buying into things like team chemistry has come over time," Swanson said, "but we realize it's best for our team."

To be frank, teams need to get along better. No matter what people think, chemistry does win championships. If a team doesn't come together, it's going to be hard for that team to succeed.

Holmes told me during his coaching career, coaches like Kim Anderson, Willie Fritz and Peggy Martin have mentored him.

At this point, I think other coaches can learn from Holmes and implement this philosophy about chemistry into their own teams.

The Jennies know they are under the radar for most people here, but that's ok. Maybe winning a national championship will open eyes. Maybe it won't.

So far though, chemistry has given them a chance to win a championship. Not many other teams here can say that.

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