[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S2479]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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     CONGRATULATING THE VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S BOWLING TEAM

 Mr. ALEXANDER. Madam President, as a fellow Commodore, I would 
like to congratulate the Vanderbilt University women's bowling team on 
winning the National Collegiate Athletic Association, NCAA, 
championship, the second national championship for the women's bowling 
program and the fourth national championship in Commodore athletic 
history.
  John Williamson, the head coach of this program for 14 years, has 
done an excellent job of training and guiding these exceptional 
student-athletes. He has worked hard to build this program from its 
inception in 2004 into one that annually contends for championships.
  Vanderbilt is a very special university, one that produces student-
athletes of exceptional character and integrity. These are student-
athletes that have pride in themselves and their school, in both 
academics and athletics. In fact, Kristin Quah of the bowling team 
earned the NCAA's Elite 90 Award for having the highest grade point 
average at the championships, a 3.953, while double majoring in 
biomedical and electrical engineering. Seven members of the team were 
recently named to the spring sports All SEC Academic Honor Roll.
  I am filled with pride for my alma mater, and I wish the bowling team 
and all of Vanderbilt University the best.
  This achievement would not have been possible without the hard work, 
talent, and teamwork of the following outstanding student-athletes: 
Kelsey Abrahamsen, Maria Bulanova, Samantha Gainor, Bryanna Leyen, 
Jordan Newham, Ariana Perez, Lauren Potechin, Kristin Quah, Emily 
Rigney, Katie Stark, and Adel Wahner.
  These student-athletes were coached and mentored by a dedicated team 
of coaches and athletic department staff, including: head coach John 
Williamson; assistant coach and former All-American Josie Earnest 
Barnes; associate athletic director and sport administrator Kevin 
Colon; strength and conditioning coach Darren Edgington; facility 
manager Kenny Moore; academic counselor Candice Johnson; athletic 
trainer Alda Burston; and volunteer sports information director Rod 
Williamson.
  I would also like to acknowledge chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos; vice 
chancellor and athletics director David Williams II; deputy athletics 
director Candice Storey Lee; and senior associate athletics directors 
Lori Alexander; and Martin Salamone for their vision and leadership.
  Anchor Down, Commodores. We are proud of you.

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