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 11th in both 10th frame scoring average (21.04) and 10th frame fill percentage (88.3) for an anchor bowler. Her 10th frame double rate at 30.5% is 12th 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.
