With the Finals taking place this evening, the voting for the Season Favorites will open after everything is said and done. For those of you unfamiliar with the Season Favorites, it's akin to the NBA's season awards for Rookie of the Year, the Sixth Man, Coach of the Year, etc. There are currently six categories for you to debate and vote upon. They include:
Rookie of the SeasonThe best all-around bowler in his or her first season. Past winners include current bowlers Jake Parrott (Fall '10), Ian Goetz (Spring '10), Orion Kinkaid (Fall '09), Aubrey Moren (Spring '08) and Ryan Doll (Spring '06).Candidates this season include: Jeremy Stockbridge, Kelly Anderson, Russell Madsen and Sam Nau.Captain of the SeasonThe captain is usually the person that assembles his or her team and then leads to the team to victories. Past winners include current bowlers (Ken M. Wilson, Fall '10), Angela Bradford (Spring '10), Freda Schroeder (Spring '08) and Seth Gunderson (Fall '05).Candidates this season include: Angela Bradford, Emily Podhajsky, Freda Schroeder, Jake Parrott, Ken M. Wilson, Lawrence Prak, Orion Kinkaid, Ryan DollDefensive Bowler of the SeasonThis bowler is who can step up under intense pressure in the 10th frame and finish strongly, sealing the victory. Nominees are bowlers with an average of 150 or higher. Past winners include current bowlers Ken M. Wilson (Fall '10), Ryan Doll (Spring '10) and Carl Goetz (Spring '06).Candidates this season include: Angela Bradford, Aubrey Moren, Bill Krejci, Bob Brunker, Carl Goetz, Dennis "Pops" Laube, Freda Schroeder, Ian Goetz, Ken M. Wilson, Orion Kinkaid, Phil Schroeder, Rob Kaszuba, Ryan Doll and Seth GundersonUnderdog of the SeasonThis is awarded to the biggest contributor to his or her team with an average of 149 or below. Past winners include current bowlers Dennis "Pops" Laube (Fall '03) and Scott "Scooter" Murdock (Spring '03).Candidates this season include: Aaron Chandler, AJ Hofmann, Bill Riley, Chris Able, Dave Winger, Emily Podhajsky, Jake Parrott, Jeremy Stockbridge, Joe Longstreet, Kelly Anderson, Lawrence Prak, Russell Madsen, Sabrina Gray, Sam Nau, Sarah Manning, Scott Murdock, Shane Pfaffly and Teresa DeterdingThe Bob Brunker Good Sportsmanship AwardWin or lose, this person is always there with a smile or a kind word. Past winners include current bowlers Emily Podhajsky (Fall '10), Bob Brunker (Spring '09) and Angela Bradford (Spring '08).Everyone in the league is eligible for this award.People's Choice: Most Valuable BowlerThis bowler was the end-all, be-all best in the league in terms of providing the most fire power to earn his or her team the most wins as selected by the league. Past winners include current bowlers Ken M. Wilson (Fall '10), Carl Goetz (Spring '10) and Scott Murdock (Spring '03).Everyone in the league is eligible for this award.So, in Wednesday's write-up, there will be a link to this season's favorites ballot. Be sure to cast your votes before noon next Tuesday. Let the great debate begin! Fee free to put your own analysis in the comments section below.
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Analysis: Season Favorites
May 17, 2011 Spring 2011
Rookie of the Season? Hands down, Russell Madsen. Russell’s first season in the league was phenomenal. While his average fluctuated at the very beginning of the season, his consistent output helped his team win game after game in the clutch. Once he gives up using a house ball and gets one of his own, he’ll be a force with which to be reckoned in seasons to come. Runner-up: Kelly Anderson, who’s transformation in the 2nd half of the season was top-notch.
Captain of the Season? Ryan Doll. In a mad scramble at the very end of recruitment, Doll put together his team at the last minute. Couple that with shoulder surgery and teammate Bill Krejci traveling throughout the majority of the first half of the season, you’d expect Dolls and Balls to have floundered this season. Such was not the case. Under Doll’s guidance, this team defied the odds and dominated the league in the second half. Had they been together the entire season, I doubt my team would have won the title. Runner-up: Orion Kinkaid, who assembled the best all-around team with potential to improve into a true contender. Most of the other teams had already existed as is from the previous season.
Defensive Bowler of the season? Without question, Carl Goetz. The majority of S*I*C*K’s come-from-behind victories were sealed by Carl’s efforts throughout the entire game and not just in the 10th frame. When the rest of the team was dead in the water – mainly due to my inability to live up to the role of anchor this season – Carl came through in a big way. Anyone putting someone else in their top spot is kidding themselves. Runner-up: Bill Krejci, who showed up when he showed up.
Underdog of the Season? Kelly Anderson. Earning two MVB’s this season was quite a feat. While you can argue that Sam Nau put up one more MVB performance than Kelly this season, Kelly did so while rolling alongside not one, not two but THREE powerhouse bowlers. That’s not easy to do. Her game where she rolled 63 pins over her average sealed it in my eyes, not to mention that she also rolled the women’s high series handicap this season. Runner-up: Sam Nau, who at any given moment could turn the tides of any game.
The Bob Brunker Good Sportsmanship Award? Emily Podhajsky. On or off the lanes, is there really anyone else in the league’s history that is as kind-hearted and sweet as Emily? I think we should split this category into two parts, giving one each season to a male (The Bob Brunker) and one to a female (The Emily Podhajsky). Runner-up: Jake Parrott, who was always quick with a handshake and a “good game” regardless of the outcome.
People’s Choice: Most Valuable Bowler? Simply put, Carl Goetz owned this season from start to finish. He rolled his best season to date, rolling both the highest individual game and the highest scratch series. From Week #2 onward, his average was never lower than 196. Only a handful of bowlers in league history can claim a season that good or better. We would not have repeated as champions if not for Carl Goetz. Runner-up: Ian Goetz, who also rolled the best season of his career.
So, what do you think?