The USBC has patented this sophisticated biomechanics technology, which is called “motion capture.” The futuristic-looking system is the first of its kind in the sport of bowling and is expected to be available in the new USBC training facility where it will be used to identify and correct problems with bowlers’ techniques in a more comprehensive manner.

USBC has developed a “motion capture” system for bowling. The network of cameras, sensors and computers measure pressure points and exact movements of a bowler’s body during the approach and delivery. The new biomechanics technology is expected to be available at the USBC training facility in Arlington, Texas, to analyze bowlers’ technique. The idea is that eventually, bowling coaches — like coaches in other sports who use this type of technology to improve performance — can use motion capture in their lessons.

It is envisioned that eventually bowling coaches around the world will have access to motion capture and be able to use the system when giving lessons to their students.

Motion capture can measure body positioning and movement more precisely than standard video analysis programs. For example, motion capture can track a bowler’s body positions (such as during the back swing) to 0.001 of an inch, speed and acceleration (such as ball speed or the sliding knee moving forward) to 0.02 mph and timing (relationship between the arm swing and footsteps) to 0.001 of a second.

The system works like this: Between 40 and 70 small sensors are attached to a bowler’s clothing and six cameras positioned around the bowler on adjoining approaches and lanes pick up the red light reflected from the sensors. The bowler’s movements through the approach and delivery are tracked via the sensors and the data is transmitted to a nearby connected computer system. The bowler’s image appears on the computer screen as a moving, digital data figure that can be shown in slow motion, used with video or viewed from different angles.

“Our ‘motion capture’ system is the next step in the evolution of bowling technology and coaching,” said USBC Research Engineer Paul Ridenour. “The precise data that motion capture provides for bowling coaches will make it easier to help bowlers improve their technique.”

Motion capture is similar to the technology that video game-makers use to record Tiger Woods hitting a golf ball or NBA star and USBC spokesperson Chris Paul shooting a jump shot to make their game characters look realistic. Coaches in other sports use biomechanics technology to improve the performance of their athletes.

“In the near future, bowlers could visit the planned USBC national training center in Arlington, Texas, get hooked up to this equipment and have a coach analyze their game,” Ridenour said. “Down the road, coaches worldwide may obtain this technology and bowlers may only need to visit their local USBC coach for a high tech lesson.”

The world’s top bowling coaches saw a sneak preview of the motion capture system at USBC Headquarters in suburban Milwaukee during a coach training event this past February. Among those in attendance was world-renowned Australian two-handed bowler Jason Belmonte, who tested the new system under the guidance of USBC engineers.

“Bowling, like all other sports, needs to keep moving forward with coaching techniques,” said Belmonte, a USBC Silver coach and USBC Youth spokesperson. “This will be the future of coaching. The more accurate look a coach can get of a player’s game, the better information that player will receive and the more likely the player will improve and enjoy tenpin bowling for a longer time.”

Mexico’s Daniel Falconi tests out the USBC motion capture system during an international coaching training seminar at USBC Headquarters in Greendale, Wis., this past February.

In addition to the motion capture system, USBC recently secured patents for two other biomechanics systems that it developed for use in coaching the sport. USBC research engineers created advanced technology that measures grip and foot pressure by transmitting body movement data to a computer via a series of pressure sensors connected to a bowler’s throwing hand and feet.

By Patrick Brettingen
USBC Communications

By Kevin Hazaert
USBC Communications

Pikeville senior Kayla Bandy and Saginaw Valley State junior Dan MacLelland were named Most Valuable Players for the 2007-08 collegiate bowling season by the National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association (NCBCA).

Bandy and MacLelland were honored along with the rest of the All-Americans at the “Night of Champions” banquet held Wednesday in conjunction with the 2008 United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Team Championships, presented by Storm, which open Thursday at Northrock Lanes.

They also were named 2007-08 Bowling Writers Association of America Collegiate Players of the Year at Wednesday’s event.

This marks the second straight MVP and Player of the Year award for Bandy, a Danville, Va., native who helped lead the Bears to the Chattanooga (Tenn.) Sectional title and their seventh consecutive championships appearance.

She joins Kelly Kulick (Morehead State), Karen Stroud (West Texas A&M) and Kari Murph (Morehead State) as the only players to win multiple NCBCA MVP awards. Kulick was honored three straight seasons (1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99).

Bandy, who was second in the nation with a 202.56 average this season, has been named a first-team All-American each of the last three seasons and earned Rookie of the Year honors and a second-team selection in her freshman season of 2004-05.

Rounding out the women’s first team is Wichita State junior Emily Maier, Sparks. Nev.; McKendree junior Rebekah Diers, Kingston, N.Y.; Martin Methodist junior Hayley Beavis, Southampton, England; and Pikeville freshman Ashly Galante, Palm Harbor, Fla.

2007-08 NCBCA All-America women’s first team (left to right): Wichita State’s Emily Maier, Pikeville’s Ashly Galante, Pikeville’s Kayla Bandy (MVP), Martin Methodist’s Hayley Beavis and McKendree’s Rebekah Diers. Click on the image to enlarge it.

“This feels amazing, but it’s not the only piece of hardware I want this weekend,” said Bandy, a former two-time Junior Team USA member who also will be competing at the USBC Intercollegiate Singles Championships for a third time this May. “This won’t feel like I want it to feel until we raise the Helmer Cup on Saturday. We have a great group of girls talent-wise and we are very cohesive.”

Galante, a Team USA member in 2007, also was honored as Women’s Rookie of the Year, marking the third time in the last four years the award was given to a Pikeville player. Jaime Foster won the honor last season.

Leading the nation with a 213.85 average, MacLelland helped lead the top-ranked Cardinals to consecutive national titles the past two seasons and the Chattanooga Sectional title in March. The Windsor, Ontario, native was named MVP of the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships a year ago.

“All of this goes out to my dad,” said MacLelland, whose father is battling cancer. “He taught me everything I know. None of this would be possible without him. Now it’s time to go get No. 3. We’ve had that on our mind since the beginning of the year.”

MacLelland is joined on the men’s first team by Wichita State junior George Lambert, Hamilton, Ontario; Indiana senior Nick Hoagland, Canton, Ohio; William Paterson sophomore Matt O’Grady, South Amboy, N.J.; and Pikeville sophomore Kyle Barnes, Smryna, Tenn.

2007-08 NCBCA All-America men’s first team: Wichita State’s George Lambert, Indiana’s Nick Hoagland, Pikeville’s Kyle Barnes, William Paterson’s Matt O’Grady and Saginaw Valley State’s Dan MacLelland (MVP). Click on the image to enlarge it.

Chris Bardol of Robert Morris College (Ill.) was honored as Men’s Rookie of the Year.

William Paterson’s Dave Nagelhout and Purdue’s Scott Savage were tabbed as Kerm Helmer Coaches of the Year in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively.

Longtime tournament director Larry Wilson was named recipient of the NCBCA Gordon Teigen Meritorious Service Award.

National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association 2007-08 All-Americans

MEN
First Team – Dan MacLelland, Saginaw Valley State; George Lambert, Wichita State; Nick Hoagland, Indiana; Matt O’Grady, William Paterson; Kyle Barnes, Pikeville.

Second Team – Ryan Gleghorn, Calumet College of St. Joseph; Paul Hogan, Fresno State; Matt Robinson, Fresno State; Chris Bardol, Robert Morris (Ill.); Ryan Gahan, Mohawk Valley CC.

Honorable Mention – Keith Nolan, Florida State; Brian Valenta, Lindenwood; Chris Drewes, Wichita State; Tim Irvin, Briarcliffe; Nick Atkinson, Vincennes; Ryan Beers, Ohio State.

Most Valuable Player – Dan MacLelland, Saginaw Valley State
Rookie of the Year – Chris Bardol, Robert Morris (Ill.)
Kerm Helmer Coach of the Year – Dave Nagelhout, William Paterson

WOMEN
First Team – Kayla Bandy, Pikeville; Emily Maier, Wichita State; Rebekah Diers, McKendree; Hayley Beavis, Martin Methodist; Ashly Galante, Pikeville.

Second Team – Brigette Harrelson, Central Florida; Kerry Smith, Shippensburg; Lindsey Coulles, Central Florida; Jennifer Wright, Pikeville; Jennifer Elicker, Shippensburg.

Honorable Mention – Rocio Restrepo, Wichita State; Elysia Current, Wichita State; Jen Donahue, Lindenwood; Brandy Silva, West Texas A&M; Sarah O’Brien, Briarcliffe.

Most Valuable Player – Kayla Bandy, Pikeville
Rookie of the Year – Ashly Galante, Pikeville
Kerm Helmer Coach of the Year – Scott Savage, Purdue

Gordon Teigen Meritorious Service Award – Larry Wilson, tournament director for Eagle Classic, Ten Pin Classic and Millennium Classic.

Bowling Writers Association of America – 2007-08 Collegiate Players of The Year

2007-08 Male Collegiate Players of The Year – Dan MacLelland, Saginaw Valley State

Male Runners-up – Kyle Barnes, Pikeville; Ryan Gleghorn, Calumet College of St. Joseph; George Lambert, Wichita State; Matt O’Grady, William Paterson; Matt Robinson, Fresno State.

Male Honorable Mention – Chris Bardol, Robert Morris (Ill.); Norman Nolan, Florida State; Nick Hoagland, Indiana.

2007-08 Female Collegiate Players of The Year – Kayla Bandy, Pikeville

Female Runners-up – Hayley Beavis, Martin Methodist; Rebekah Diers, McKendree; Ashly Galante, Pikeville; Emily Maier, Wichita State

Female Honorable Mention – Lindsey Coulles, Central Florida; Brigette Harrelson, Central Florida; Kerry Smith, Shippensburg.

OMAHA, Neb. – Four teams remained alive Friday at the 2008 NCAA National Collegiate Women’s Bowling Championship at Thunder Alley: a defending champion with resolve, a runner-up proving it wasn’t a one-year wonder, a Division III powerhouse taking the next step and an upstart newcomer that continues to impress.

Defending champion Vanderbilt, which suffered a quick 4-0 defeat to Maryland-Eastern Shore in the first round of the best-of-7 Baker games, double-elimination match play, fought back to the semifinals where it beat the same undefeated Hawks, 4-2, to force another semifinal match between the teams Saturday.

“We never say die,” said Vanderbilt sophomore Josie Earnest, Most Outstanding Player of last year’s championship. “We know we are better when our backs are against the wall. We’re fighters. We’re trying to repeat.”

The Commodores, who defeated Maryland-Eastern Shore, 4-3, in last year’s title match, stayed alive after the first round by eliminating Sacred Heart, 4-3, and Central Missouri, 4-2.

“We know losing the first one doesn’t necessarily mean you’re done,” Vanderbilt head coach John Williamson said. “They didn’t want to lose. To advance in any tournament, you have to capitalize on mistakes and take advantage of opportunities. Other than the first match today, we were able to do that.”

In the other semifinal, Arkansas State – making its first appearance at the NCAA tournament – stayed alive with a 4-2 victory over New Jersey City. Arkansas State jumped out to a 3-0 lead before the Knights posted big scores to win the next two, 244-185 and 214-166, and tighten the match.

The Indians, however, edged out a 207-199 victory in Game 6 to force Saturday’s rematch.

“We came very close to tying it up and on to Game 7,” said New Jersey City head coach Frank Parisi, who has his Division III Gothic Knights in the final four for the third time in the event’s five-year history. “If we can get some better breaks and start a little bit early with those kind of games we’ll obviously be in better shape. It bodes well and gives them the confidence that they aren’t going to quit.”

Since Maryland-Eastern Shore and New Jersey City each suffered their first loss in the semifinals, rematches are needed under the double-elimination format. Saturday’s semifinals begin at 5:30 p.m. EDT and are webcast on ncaa.com.

The best-of-7 Baker championship match is scheduled for 8 p.m. EDT Saturday, which will be aired live on ESPNU for the second straight year. The championship match also will be replayed at 7 p.m. EDT Monday on ESPN2.

Maryland-Eastern Shore, seeded seventh after qualifying, also defeated Arkansas State, 4.5-3.5 – rebounding from 2-0 and 3-2 deficits.

“This is the team we have seen all year, hopefully they will continue bowling like this,” said Maryland-Eastern Shore head coach Sharon Brummell, whose team is ranked second among NCAA schools. “I told them we got our bad day out of the way and seeding wasn’t important for our ultimate goal.”

New Jersey City cruised past Minnesota State, 4-1, in the first round, then rallied from a 2-0 deficit to down Central Missouri, 4.5-2.5, and advance to the semifinals.

Top-ranked Nebraska, which earned the No. 1 seed in qualifying and had won seven of eight tournaments this season, stunningly bowed out early – suffering a 4-1 defeat to Central Missouri, followed by a 4-0 sweep at the hands of Minnesota State.

“The worst portion of it that we let down is the fan base,” Nebraska head coach Bill Straub said. “We haven’t had an opportunity in a long time to have this much support and this much anticipation from the university.”
2008 NCAA NATIONAL COLLEGIATE
WOMEN’S BOWLING CHAMPIONSHIP
(at Thunder Alley, Omaha, Neb.)
Match Play
(Double-elimination, Best-of-7 Baker games)

Friday
First Round
(8) Central Missouri def. (1) Nebraska, 4-1
(179-156, 186-192, 180-176, 174-173, 180-168)
(4) New Jersey City def. (5) Minnesota State, 4-1
(223-143, 199-179, 244-170, 175-203, 169-166)
(3) Arkansas State def. (6) Sacred Heart, 4-0
(224-201, 183-164, 189-160, 167-160)
(7) Maryland-Eastern Shore def. (2) Vanderbilt, 4-0
(210-195, 209-205, 196-179, 212-181)

Second Round
New Jersey City def. Central Missouri, 4.5-2.5
(159-181, 156-198, 181-181, 193-189, 212-171, 167-164, 187-184)
Maryland-Eastern Shore def. Arkansas State, 4.5-3.5
(159-192, 166-209, 228-192, 213-181, 162-166, 214-149, 173-173, 185-171)
Minnesota State def. Nebraska, 4-0 (Nebraska eliminated)
(192-169, 196-183, 176-132, 214-156)
Vanderbilt def. Sacred Heart, 4-3 (Sacred Heart eliminated)
(208-207, 212-200, 164-171, 201-180, 174-186, 175-256, 210-167)

Third Round
Arkansas State def. Minnesota State, 4-1 (Minnesota State eliminated)
(199-168, 179-136, 188-169, 160-164, 189-163)
Vanderbilt def. Central Missouri, 4-2 (Central Missouri eliminated)
(223-180, 179-192, 228-190, 173-180, 180-179, 196-148)

Semifinals
Arkansas State def. New Jersey City, 4-2
(210-176, 186-166, 212-199, 185-244, 166-214, 207-199)
Vanderbilt def. Maryland-Eastern Shore, 4-2
(194-169, 173-179, 223-160, 179-205, 212-174, 184-155)

Saturday
Semifinals – 5:30 p.m. EDT
(Webcast live on ncaa.com)
Match 13 – New Jersey City vs. Arkansas State
Match 14 – Maryland-Eastern Shore vs. Vanderbilt

Championship – 8 p.m. EDT
(Broadcast live on ESPNU)
Semifinal winners

The field is set for the 2008 United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Team Championships, presented by Storm, following the completion of Sectional Qualifier competition March 15-16, with the Saginaw Valley State University men’s team and Wichita State University women’s team ready to defend their titles.

Four Sectional Qualifiers, comprising of 64 Baker System games, were held at AMF Parkway in Allentown, Pa.; Holiday Bowl Brainerd in Chattanooga, Tenn.; St. Clair Bowl in Fairview Heights, Ill.; and Southpoint Hotel & Casino Bowling Center in Las Vegas.

The top four in the men’s and women’s divisions at each sectional advanced to the 2008 USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships, presented by Storm, scheduled for April 16-19 at Northrock Lanes in Wichita, Kan.

Saginaw Valley State, which defeated Robert Morris University for its second consecutive national championship last season and fourth overall, won the Chattanooga Sectional to advance to the national finals for the fifth straight year.

Saginaw Valley State will be seeking its third consecutive national title. The only other team to win three straight titles was Wichita State, which accomplished the feat from 1993 to 1995.

Other qualifiers from the men’s division, which features six past champions and eight returning teams from the 2007 event, include sectional champions Calumet College of St. Joseph (Ind.), Fresno State and William Paterson. Also advancing were Arizona State, Central Florida, Indiana, Lindenwood, Michigan State, Mohawk Valley CC, UNLV, Pikeville, Purdue, Vincennes, Wichita State and Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Wichita State will make its 23rd straight appearance and record 28th overall appearance in the event’s 34-year history. Wisconsin-Whitewater will be making its first appearance.

In the women’s division, Wichita State, which defeated McKendree for its eighth national title last season, won the Fairview Heights Sectional to advance for the 27th straight year dating back to 1982 and record 33rd appearance.

Wichita State will aim for its record ninth national championship on its home turf of Northrock Lanes once again.

Other qualifiers from the women’s division, which features four former champions and 10 returning teams from 2007, include sectional champions Central Florida, Lindenwood and Pikeville. Joining them will be Bellarmine, Calumet College of St. Joseph (Ind.), Florida State, Fresno State, Martin Methodist, Maryland-Eastern Shore, McKendree, Morehead State, Newman, Purdue, Robert Morris College (Ill.) and Shippensburg.

Bellarmine, Calumet and Robert Morris all will be making their first appearance at the national finals. Florida State will return for the first time since its runner-up finish in 2003, while Maryland-Eastern Shore, an NCAA Division I program, advances after a one-year absence.

Seven schools qualified both their men’s and women’s teams from sectionals, which consisted of 32 Baker System games each day for a total of 64 Baker games.

The USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships is the pinnacle event of the college bowling season. The tournament brings together the top 16 men’s and top 16 women’s teams in the country to compete for national titles on national television (CBS College Sports Network). Visit bowl.com for more information on the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships and USBC Collegiate program.

2008 ITC Sectional Qualifiers – Men’s Final results after 64 Baker games

Top 4 at each sectional advance to 2008 USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships

Allentown (Pa.) Sectional
1. William Paterson, 12,254; 2. Mohawk Valley CC, 12,150; 3. Pikeville, 12,099; 4. Michigan State, 12,012; 5. Morehead State, 11,890; 6. St. John’s, 11,798; 7. Rochester Tech, 11,731; 8. Penn State-Berks/Lehigh, 11,623; 9. Penn State, 11,483; 10. Briarcliffe, 11,312; 11. Hudson Valley CC, 11,200; 12. Shippensburg, 10,928; 13. Marist, 10,782.

Chattanooga (Tenn.) Sectional
1. Saginaw Valley State, 13,479; 2. Purdue, 12,976; 3. Vincennes, 12,902; 4. Central Florida, 12,798; 5. Robert Morris (Pa.), 12,510; 6. Florida State, 12,354; 7. Ohio State, 12,313; 8. Wright State, 12,231; 9. North Carolina State, 12,215; 10. Louisville, 12,046; 11. South Florida, 12,037; 12. Bowling Green State, 11,828; 13. Ball State, 11,682; 14. Virgina Tech, 11,461; 15. Toledo, 11,433; 16. Youngstown State, 11,384; 17. Kent State, 8,567.

Fairview Heights (Ill.) Sectional
1. Calumet College of St. Joseph, 12,808; 2. Wichita State, 12,772; 3. Indiana, 12,661; 4. Wisconsin-Whitewater, 12,466; 5. Nebraska-Omaha, 12,419; 6. Nebraska, 12,413; 7. Newman, 12,393; 8. McKendree, 12,087; 9. Minnesota State, 12,058; 10. Western Illinois, 11,907; 11. Illinois, 11,837; 12. North Dakota State, 11,805; 13. Kansas, 11,764; 14. Central Missouri, 11,592; 15. Wisconsin, 11,360; 16. Northern Illinois, 11,156; 17. Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, 10,687.

Las Vegas Sectional
1. Fresno State, 13,021; 2. Lindenwood, 12,925; 3. UNLV, 12,826; 4. Arizona State, 12,645; 5. San Jose State, 12,582; 6. UC Davis, 12,147; 7. Robert Morris (Ill.), 12,113; 8. Missouri Baptist, 12,003; 9. Martin Methodist, 11,878; 10. Texas Tech, 11,813; 11. Weber State, 11,801; 12. West Texas A&M, 11,792; 13. North Texas, 11,672; 14. Washington State, 11,452.

2008 ITC Sectional Qualifiers – Women’s Final results after 64 Baker games

Top 4 at each sectional advance to 2008 USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships

Allentown (Pa.) Sectional
1. Pikeville, 12,425; 2. Morehead State, 11,882; 3. Maryland-Eastern Shore, 11,492; 4. Shippensburg, 11,222; 5. Hudson Valley CC, 10,918; 6. Erie CC, 10,900; 7. Penn State, 10,822; 8. Briarcliffe, 10,604; 9. Mohawk Valley CC, 10,410; 10. Michigan State, 10,216.

Chattanooga (Tenn.) Sectional
1. Central Florida, 12,177; 2. Purdue, 11,671; 3. Florida State, 11,408; 4. Bellarmine, 11,406; 5. Ohio State, 11,362; 6. Ball State, 11,356; 7. Grand Valley State, 11,281; 8. Youngstown State, 11,083; 9. Bowling Green State, 10,885.

Fairview Heights (Ill.) Sectional
1. Wichita State, 12,470; 2. McKendree, 11,754; 3. Newman, 11,747; 4. Calumet College of St. Joseph, 11,491; 5. Illinois, 10,971; 6. South Dakota State, 10,944; 7. Western Illinois, 10,675; 8. Illinois State, 10,637; 9. Carthage, 9,873; 10. Indiana, 9,688; 11. Wisconsin-Green Bay, 9,522; 12. Wisconsin, 9,380.

Las Vegas Sectional
1. Lindenwood, 12,303; 2. Robert Morris (Ill.), 12,231; 3. Fresno State, 11,983; 4. Martin Methodist, 11,685; 5. West Texas A&M, 11,481; 6. San Jose State, 10,822; 7. UC Davis, 9,468.