The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Leaving a Mark: A Seniors’ Salute
5/1/2020 9:00:00 AM | Women's Bowling
Seniors Taylor Russell, Rachel Strogin, and Annie Hurley will be graduating this weekend. The trio of humble yet talented young ladies will leave a mark on the UAB bowling program especially in the record books.
"There are no words to express how proud I am of Annie, Rachel, and Taylor," head coach Michelle Crews said. "With each and every tournament that went by this season, I became more emotional with every senior day that occurred. These three young ladies will always hold a very special place in my heart. When we were reinstated back in June 2015, I began recruiting immediately for what would become a large, young class. I had immediate connections with these three young ladies in particular and the recruiting process was 'easy'. They have each grown so much over the last four years. They have gone from young ladies with potential to incredible young women who are now leaders. They all had incredible accomplishments on the lanes this year but what I am most proud of is their accomplishments in the classroom and their contributions to this community. I am proud to be their coach today more than ever and I know they will continue to make me proud as they go out into the world and make it a better place. I look forward to celebrating them this weekend (even though there will not be a physical ceremony) and I hope we will all be together again in the near future. Birmingham will always be a place they can call home and I will always be grateful to them and their families for trusting me and UAB during our rebuilding phase."
#TogetherWeAre #unstoppable #FindAWay #Believe #WeCanANDWeWill #WinAsOne
Russell had a team-high average score of 202.58 per match while collecting a total pinfall of 7,686 in 38 game appearances this season. She tallied a team-high 20 200+ games on the season with a high of 266 twice (Stallings Invitational and Columbia 300 Music City Classic).
The Tupelo, Miss. native received MEAC Bowler of the Week honors on November 19th after a fourth-place overall finish at the Stallings Invitational. Russell also made the Stallings Invitational, MEAC #2 All-Tournament team, and was named to the All-MEAC First Team in her senior year. The 2018 NTCA Honorable Mention All-American concludes her four years at UAB with 28,475 total pinfall, 68 200+ games, and an average of 197.39.
Strogin had an average score of 193.19 per match and accumulated a total pinfall of 7,744 in 40 game appearances, which is ranked second on the team this season.
The Mentor, Ohio native also finished the season with 16 200+ games with a high of 246 at the Allstate Sugar Bowl, in which she made the All-Tournament team. She also was named to the All-MEAC Second Team in her senior year. In her four-year collegiate career, Strogin finishes with 23,357 total pinfall, 41 200+ games, and an average of 190.91.
Hurley has an average of 185.87 per match with a team-high total pinfall of 7,989 in 43 games. The Phoenix, Ariz. also earned Bowler of the Week honors on February 18th after finishing ninth in the Mid-Winter Invitational after an average of 212.6. Hurley's single game total of 268 at the Mid-Winter Invitational is tied for third in the MEAC and first on the team this season. Hurley finishes her college career with 16,506 total pinfall, 22 200+ games, and an average of 181.02.
Russell will be graduating with a bachelor's in Kinesiology, Strogin will be graduating with a bachelor's in Criminal Justice, and Hurley will be graduating with a bachelor's in Healthcare Management.
For more information on the UAB bowling team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_Bowl), Instagram (@UAB_Bowl), or like them on Facebook (Facebook.com/UABBowling2011
"There are no words to express how proud I am of Annie, Rachel, and Taylor," head coach Michelle Crews said. "With each and every tournament that went by this season, I became more emotional with every senior day that occurred. These three young ladies will always hold a very special place in my heart. When we were reinstated back in June 2015, I began recruiting immediately for what would become a large, young class. I had immediate connections with these three young ladies in particular and the recruiting process was 'easy'. They have each grown so much over the last four years. They have gone from young ladies with potential to incredible young women who are now leaders. They all had incredible accomplishments on the lanes this year but what I am most proud of is their accomplishments in the classroom and their contributions to this community. I am proud to be their coach today more than ever and I know they will continue to make me proud as they go out into the world and make it a better place. I look forward to celebrating them this weekend (even though there will not be a physical ceremony) and I hope we will all be together again in the near future. Birmingham will always be a place they can call home and I will always be grateful to them and their families for trusting me and UAB during our rebuilding phase."
#TogetherWeAre #unstoppable #FindAWay #Believe #WeCanANDWeWill #WinAsOne
Russell had a team-high average score of 202.58 per match while collecting a total pinfall of 7,686 in 38 game appearances this season. She tallied a team-high 20 200+ games on the season with a high of 266 twice (Stallings Invitational and Columbia 300 Music City Classic).
The Tupelo, Miss. native received MEAC Bowler of the Week honors on November 19th after a fourth-place overall finish at the Stallings Invitational. Russell also made the Stallings Invitational, MEAC #2 All-Tournament team, and was named to the All-MEAC First Team in her senior year. The 2018 NTCA Honorable Mention All-American concludes her four years at UAB with 28,475 total pinfall, 68 200+ games, and an average of 197.39.
Strogin had an average score of 193.19 per match and accumulated a total pinfall of 7,744 in 40 game appearances, which is ranked second on the team this season.
The Mentor, Ohio native also finished the season with 16 200+ games with a high of 246 at the Allstate Sugar Bowl, in which she made the All-Tournament team. She also was named to the All-MEAC Second Team in her senior year. In her four-year collegiate career, Strogin finishes with 23,357 total pinfall, 41 200+ games, and an average of 190.91.
Hurley has an average of 185.87 per match with a team-high total pinfall of 7,989 in 43 games. The Phoenix, Ariz. also earned Bowler of the Week honors on February 18th after finishing ninth in the Mid-Winter Invitational after an average of 212.6. Hurley's single game total of 268 at the Mid-Winter Invitational is tied for third in the MEAC and first on the team this season. Hurley finishes her college career with 16,506 total pinfall, 22 200+ games, and an average of 181.02.
Russell will be graduating with a bachelor's in Kinesiology, Strogin will be graduating with a bachelor's in Criminal Justice, and Hurley will be graduating with a bachelor's in Healthcare Management.
For more information on the UAB bowling team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_Bowl), Instagram (@UAB_Bowl), or like them on Facebook (Facebook.com/UABBowling2011
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