In between the 2012 United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Singles Championships and Intercollegiate Team Championships, the best of the best were honored at a banquet Wednesday night.
Robert Morris-Illinois freshman Marshall Kent and Wichita State junior Jazreel Tan were named 2011-12 Most Valuable Players by the National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association, USBC reported in this news release.
And if that wasn't enough, the Bowling Writers Association of America also announced its Players of the Year on Wednesday: Kent and Tan.
"I had a lot of help from my teammates this season," Kent, who also was named the men's Rookie of the Year, said in the release. "My mental game became about 10 times stronger this year, and that's because my teammates helped me out a lot with that. I just came into this year trying to do the best I could, and I got way more out of it than I could have asked for."
The other men's first team All-Americans were Chris Via of Notre Dame-Ohio, Brad Miller of Lindenwood, Geoffrey Young of Wichita State and Aaron Lorincz of Saginaw Valley State.
"It's always so nice to be recognized like this," Tan, a first team All-American in each of her first three seasons in college bowling, said in the release. "Our team struggled at the beginning of the season. We put in a lot of hard work as a team as the year went on and that helped lead to awards like this."
The other women's first team All-Americans were Brandi Branka of McKendree, Amanda Greene of Lindenwood, Kim Yioulos of Pikeville and Kayla Rhoades of Marian.
Tara Ernst of Briarcliffe was named the women's Rookie of the Year, while Morehead State men's coach Bobby Brown and Pikeville women's coach Ron Damron were named the Kerm Helmer Coaches of the Year, USBC reported.
And I absolutely cannot overlook the Gordon Teigen Meritorious Service Award, which was won by Gloria Behr for her work with the Midwest Collegiate tournament.
For those who don't know, Gloria Behr has been one of the most important people in Wisconsin tournament bowling history. For years, she worked for the Red Carpet chain, running the Bowling With the Champs, State Match Games and many other events, and in recent years she has been a key cog in the Wisconsin State Bowling Association office.
Gloria is the kind of person who makes bowling careers like the one I've been fortunate enough to enjoy possible.
The college bowling folks obviously have realized that in honoring her.
Congrats Gloria!
NATIONAL COLLEGIATE BOWLING COACHES ASSOCIATION
2011-12 ALL-AMERICANS
MEN
First team
Marshall Kent, Robert Morris-Illinois; Chris Via, Notre Dame-Ohio; Brad Miller, Lindenwood; Geoffrey Young, Wichita State; Aaron Lorincz, Saginaw Valley State
Second team
Greg Geering, Fresno State; Jack Castellano, Briarcliffe; Sean Rangel, William Penn; Mike Conn, Morehead State; Dan Lemiesz, Lindenwood
Honorable mention
Mark Scuderi, Rochester Tech; Marcus Berndt, Wichita State; Zach Wilkins, Urbana; Matt Skalachki, Suffolk-Grant; Jay Foote, Wright State
Most Valuable Player - Marshall Kent, Robert Morris-Illinois
Rookie of the Year - Marshall Kent, Robert Morris-Illinois
Kerm Helmer Coach of the Year - Bobby Brown, Morehead State
WOMEN
First team
Jazreel Tan, Wichita State; Brandi Branka, McKendree; Amanda Greene, Lindenwood; Kim Yioulos, Pikeville; Kayla Rhoades, Marian
Second team
Diana Zavjalova, Webber International; Laura Fonnegra, Lindenwood; Kayla Jones, Kutztown; Caitlin Hoffman, Robert Morris-Illinois; Trista Flowers, McKendree
Honorable mention
Brandy Hensley, Pikeville; Holly Harris, Wichita State; Katie Thornton, Webber International; Tara Ernst, Briarcliffe; Danielle Cessman, Briarcliffe
Most Valuable Player - Jazreel Tan, Wichita State
Rookie of the Year - Tara Ernst, Briarcliffe
Kerm Helmer Coach of the Year - Ron Damron, Pikeville
Gordon Teigen Meritorious Service Award - Gloria Behr, Midwest Collegiate
BOWLING WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
2011-12 COLLEGIATE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
Male - Marshall Kent, Robert Morris-Illinois
Female - Jazreel Tan, Wichita State
Male runners-up
Jack Castellano, Briarcliffe
Aaron Lorincz, Saginaw Valley State
Brad Miller, Lindenwood
Chris Via, Notre Dame-Ohio
Male honorable mention
Greg Geering, Fresno State
Sean Rangel, William Penn
Geoffrey Young, Wichita State
Female runners-up
Brandi Branka, McKendree
Amanda Greene, Lindenwood
Kayla Rhoades, Marian
Kim Yioulos, Pikeville
Female honorable mention
T'nia Falbo, Maryland Eastern Shore
Laura Fonnegra, Lindenwood
Kayla Jones, Kutztown
