One day when the early years of NCAA Women's Bowling are written for posterity, there will be a section devoted to the achievements of Josie Earnest. Born and raised on the flat plains of central Illinois, she left the safe haven of her parent's bowling center to take a chance on Vanderbilt's fledgling varsity program in Nashville, Tennessee. The rest, as they say, is history.
Vanderbilt Highlights
2009-10 • Became first college bowler to be twice be voted the NCAA Player of the Year • Her 214.9 average led nation by nearly 14 pins • First-team Academic All-American • First team All-American • Placed second at United States Amateur Championship (Jr. Gold) • Co-Tennessee Amateur Athlete of the Year (2008) • High game of 284 second best in school history • Had seven top five finishes in eight tournaments with three wins • Named first team captain in program's history for 2009-10 season
2008-09 • Voted Player of Year by NTPCA • First team All-America • Led VU with 205 average in 63 games, 52 over 200 Four Top 5 finishes, best was second at Capital City
2007-08 • Led VU with 198 average in 70 games • Second team All-America • MVP of NCAA Tournament • 32 games over 200, 14 over 225, high of 268 at Arkansas State
Junior Highlights
• 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 Member of Junior Team USA • PABCON Youth International Tournament in El Salvador, capturing the Gold in singles, trios, team, and all-events and the Silver in Doubles. • 2008 -Two Gold, Three Silver, and One Bronze with Junior Team USA at the Lee Evans Tournament of the Americas in Orlando. • 2007- Three Gold and One Bronze at the Warm Up to World Youth in Orlando. • 2005 -Five Gold Medals with Junior Team USA at the International Youth
Friendship Tournament in the Dominican Republic, capturing the singles, doubles, team, all-events and Masters titles. • 2005 -Won three Gold Medals and one Silver Medal in another international competition - the Lee Evans Tournament of the Americas in Fort Lauderdale. • 2006- Won North Point Insurance High School Open Singles • Won four Pepsi Cola State Championships • Won the 2004 Junior Masters Tournament in Dayton, Ohio • 12-time Illinois Scholarship Bowling Club champion • Twice won the Illinois State Amateur Championship (2003-2004) • Four top 12 finishes at the Junior Gold Tournament • 2005 Teamed with younger sister Jessica to win Illinois State doubles title • Six sanctioned 300 games, one with "sport shot" conditions, high series of 787 and over 70 700 series.
Personal
• Born: June 28, 1988 • Parents: Larry and Lisa Earnest • Won two conference tennis singles titles; qualified for the '05 state tournament. • National Honor Society, Who's Who Among American High School Students, student council and the National Honor Roll. • Salutatorian of high school class • 2006 Won Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow Award • 2006 Illinois Star of Tomorrow Award
"I chose Vanderbilt because it offered the total package. We get a
combination of exceptional academics, homey environment and a sports
program that strives to succeed. This was an opportunity that could
not be passed up."
