By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater senior Rachel Nelson has been named the National Tenpin Coaches Association Division III Bowler of the Year. She is the fifth Warhawk to earn the honor. As a team, the Warhawks dominated statistically this season, leading Division III in six of seven categories

A bowler representing UW-Whitewater has been named the NTCA Bowler of the Year three consecutive seasons with Caitlin Mertins (2022) and Kelly Whipple (2023) preceding Nelson’s honor this season. The other two Warhawks to earn the award are Amanda Van Duyn (2016) and Katie Zwiefelhofer (2015).

Nelson’s 19.79 average for Baker frames led Division III this season. Across all divisions, Nelson ranked 11^th in both 10^th frame scoring average (21.04) and 10^th frame fill percentage (88.3) for an anchor bowler. Her 10^th frame double rate at 30.5% is 12^th best for an individual bowler in the NTCA.

Whipple, the 2023 NTCA DIII Bowler of the Year, was the divisional leader this season in Baker double percentage (49.60).

Nelson led UWW in frames bowled (1,066), average per frame (19.50), strikes (483) and strike percentage (45.2). Whipple was the Warhawks’ top spare bowler and led UWW in overall fill percentage (83.5) while ranking second on the team in frames bowled (1,056), average per frame (19.25) and strikes (461).

As a team, the Warhawks were nothing short of dominant in the field of Division III teams. UW-Whitewater led the nation in traditional frame average (18.49), Baker frame average (18.97), Baker double percentage (42.20), strike percentage (40.80), single-pin spare conversion percentage (85.40) and overall spare conversion percentage (66.90).

UW-Whitewater and Warhawk bowlers have been recognized in the release of the NTCA national statistics leaders nearly every season dating back to the awards’ inception in 2017. In the first season Division III was recognized separately, 2018, the Warhawks led the nation in all seven team and all six individual categories.

Whitewater Traveling Basketball Club is excited to announce the details of the 2024 shot club.  Registration is currently open and the spring portion of the Club starts April 7. Registration closes April 30. 

1.  Registration must be completed by completing the Google Form: https://forms.gle/JGjzDLAVBUG8W5N78

2.  In order to receive recognition at a game next season, the player will need to make 10,000 game like shots and participate in four (4) shot club training sessions between June 15 and August 31.

The rules of the Whitewater Shot Club are:

1. Every game like shot made counts as “1 make”;

2. Every 10 minutes of focused ball handling counts as 10 makes (limit of 2000 makes for the 2024 with ball handling);

3. Students in grades 9-12 for the 2024-25 school year have until August 31 to get 10,000 makes. Students in grades 5-8 have until October 31 to get 10,000 makes. 

4. Makes are submitted weekly. Information on recording and submitting makes will be sent out to athletes that sign up. Workouts will be run by Coach Dowden and Coach McCabe and more information will be coming to families that sign-up. Open gyms begin Sunday, April 7 at 5 pm. In May, Open Gyms run from 4-6pm. There is no open gym on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day; otherwise gym is open at 4 pm starting on Sundays in May until basketball season starts. 

This programming is new for the community, and we look forward to answering questions and working to get better at basketball!

Coach Dowden and Coach McCabe

Editor’s note: The above announcement was provided by the Whitewater Traveling Basketball Club. The Banner appreciates having permission to use the homepage image by Schorsch from Pixabay.