Earnest sizzles in desert trials

Junior bowler soars into fifth place at the halfway point of USA Team Trials.

Dec. 17, 2008

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - NCAA Player of the Year Josie Earnest averaged 234 over nine games at the USA Team Trials Wednesday and soared into fifth place at the event's halfway point.

The Vandalia, Ill., junior crafted games of 169, 194, 194, 279, 267, 209, 226, 228 and 266 to put herself into contention and is 296 pins behind professional Liz Johnson. The bowlers are competing for berths on the prestigious Team USA squad.

Earnest's Vanderbilt teammate, Brittni Hamilton, also had a big day and is in seventh position after 18 games in this grueling test of endurance and skill against professionals and the nation's elite amateurs. Hamilton had games today of 244, 254, 203, 232, 244, 268, 236 190 and 236.

A third Commodore, Amanda Halter, is in 42nd place averaging 186.7. Complete results can be found on bowl.com