Nebraska's Baker named NTCA Player of the Year

University of Nebraska sophomore Lindsay Baker was named the 2005-06 National Tenpin Coaches Association Player of the Year, edging out Fairleigh Dickinson senior Lisa Friscioni for the honor.

Baker's 215 season average was the NCAA's best this season. The Amherst, N.Y., native claimed two first-place finishes for the Huskers, who finished third at the NCAA Women's Championships in April.

Friscioni, Howell, N.J., averaged 206.44 this season en route to winning Most Outstanding Player honors at the NCAA Women's Championships.

Joining Baker and Friscioni on the first team were Nebraska junior Amanda Burgoyne, Newport, Minn.; Vanderbilt freshman Michelle Peloquin, Enfield, Conn.; and Central Missouri State sophomore Bryanna Caldwell, Tucson, Ariz. Peloquin also was named Rookie of the Year.

Fairleigh Dickison's Mike LoPresti earned Division I Coach of the Year honors after leading the Knights to the first team national championship in the school's history. New Jersey City's Frank Parisi was named Division II/III Coach of the Year.

National Tenpin Coaches Association 2005-06 All-American Team

First Team Lindsay Baker, Nebraska Lisa Friscioni, Fairleigh Dickinson Michelle Peloquin, Vanderbilt Amanda Burgoyne, Nebraska Bryanna Caldwell, Central Missouri State

Second Team Whitney Smith, Alabama A&M Kristina Szalay, Fairleigh Dickinson Jamie Martin, Nebraska Tina Peak, Central Missouri State Vicki Spratford, New Jersey City

Honorable Mention Alex McIntyre, Alabama A&M Tara Kane, Vanderbilt Becky Ketcham, Fairleigh Dickinson Karen Syrocki, Arkansas State MaryEtta Lewis, Maryland-Eastern Shore Shanice Graham, Alabama A&M

Player of the Year Lindsay Baker, Nebraska

Rookie of the Year Michelle Peloquin, Vanderbilt

Division I Coach of the Year Mike LoPresti, Fairleigh Dickinson

Division II/III Coach of the Year Frank Parisi, New Jersey City

5/26/2006

By Kevin Hazaert USBC Communications