Minnesota State senior bowler Ashley Clinchoc is in her fourth season with the Mavericks.  The Chesterfield, Mich., native, who has helped lead the 2009-10 Mavericks to a 29-21 record, has been a member of two MSU teams that have posted fifth-place finishes at the NCAA championship tournament (2007 and 2008) and currently leads the Mavericks in starts (50) and total pinfall (4,634) on the year.  Clinchoc is averaging 193 on the year.

MSU head coach Shane Drahota had this to say about Clinchoc:

“Ashley is exactly what you look for in a student-athlete.  On the lanes, she is strong competitor and leader, and will do whatever she can do to help the team win.  She has a tendency to come up big when we need her to, like when she was our anchor at Valparaiso.  She was a little nervous about taking on that role for the first time in her collegiate career, but she stepped up to the challenge and ended up with the top scoring average of any bowler at that event – even topping someone who threw a perfect game – and led us to the top pin total at that event.

In the classroom, she excels in a very challenging major, and obviously is a very intelligent person.  She has a terrific personality and truly connects with her teammates.  She has a terrific future ahead of her, and will be a great representative of Minnesota State University the rest of her life.  My only regret is that I don’t get the opportunity to work with Ashley for a longer period of time…we’re going to miss her next year.”

Ten Questions With Ashley:

1.  How did you end up coming to Minnesota State"

"I ended up at MSU because I was looking into some schools that offered a bowling program.  I submitted tapes to several different colleges and the coach at the time was interested in what I had to offer so that aided my decision in coming to MSU." 2.  What is your favorite thing about bowling?"

"My favorite thing about bowling is being able to bowl with some of the coolest girls and being able to compete at a higher level.  I also enjoy the satisfaction when I have competed well and have been able to out bowl my competitors."

3.  What are you planning on doing after graduation?

"After graduation I hope to be attending graduate school at either MSU or at a college back at home."

4.  Do you plan on continuing your bowling career? Why/Why not?

"I'm hoping to continue bowling not at such a competitive level as I am currently, but I hope to continue bowling on leagues and hoping to enter into some tournaments so that there still is a competitive edge to the game.  Lisa Hoover and I are hoping to enter in some doubles tournaments as well."

5.  What is the biggest thing that you have accomplished here at MSU?

"The biggest thing that I have accomplished at MSU would be doing well in school.  School is one thing that will help me get far in life and my education is one very important part of my life."

6.  What is your favorite bowling movie?

"My favorite bowling movie would have to be Kingpin.  Woody Harrelson and Bill Murray definitely add some comic relief to bowling."

7.  What's on your Ipod right now?

"My ipod has just about anything and everything on it.  I'm not too picky when it comes to music as long as there is a good beat.  I listen to mostly country but have been getting into hard rock lately which definitely pumps me up before competition."

8.  Do you have any pre-match rituals to get you ready?

"Before matches, I usually just listen to music and try to focus on what's ahead.  I always listen to Eminem "Lose Yourself" before hand."

9.  What does a college bowler like to do in their free time?

"In my spare time I just like to relax, hang out with friends, and play the occasional video game.  I am definitely a tv and movie person, and whenever I can I always like to sneak in a nap."

10.  If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why?

"If I could go anywhere in the world, I would probably go somewhere in the Caribbean because I love the sun and the ocean."