1-on-1 with DP – 93.7 The Ticket KNTK - 1-ON-1 with DP and Special Guest Crystal Elliott: June 10th

Episode Date: June 10, 2025

1-ON-1 with DP and Special Guest Crystal ElliottAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It's time to go one-on-one with D.P. Coming at you live from the heart of Lincoln America, a 93-7-the-ticket and the ticketfm.com. Here is your host, Derek Pearson, brought to by Canopy Street Market. Boom! In your face! In your face! He's back.

He's back, but out of the road. Good to be back in Lincoln. Lincoln, it looks gorgeous. You're gorgeous today, Lincoln. Gorgeous. Weather's fantastic. I left a thunderstorm to get here. I got in late last night. But I'm glad to be back. The Sartre-Hamond text line is 402-464. 5-6-8. You want to be a part of what we're doing? Hit me with a what's up on the text line and you can be a part of the show. I'm sure you will have questions and comments. with our special guest today. So get your texting fingers ready. Lots to talk about along the way you can follow on all the live video streams,

Facebook, YouTube, X, Allo Channel 961, and Amazon Prime, if you're fancy, if you're fancy, if you have not downloaded the ticket app, please do so. Good for you. We can go where you go, and it's worth having. So to do that, you're not supposed to have favorite. athletes and favorite people when it comes to what you do professionally. But they're just different folks who are good for the environment, good for the culture, good for the program, good for the sport, good for us all.

She is the reigning, defending, professional women's tour rookie of the year. She is two-time national champions. She did the dang thing. and two different locations. That's where you, that's when you know, not only can I help the Huskers get a chip, but I can go where I go and win a chip too. And then I'm going to go pro and make everybody proud.

Let's welcome Crystal Elliott to one-on-one. Ma'am, welcome back to Lincoln. Hey, I think I already did some. Oh, geez, you plug it. You can plug it. Actually, just grab the headset next to it. There you go. There you go.

Well, that's just, you know. You know, that is okay. That is exactly what. But they can still hear you. Get close to the microphone so they can hear you. Hey, guys. There we go, man. It's good stuff along the way.

First of all, welcome back. Let the folks know why you're in town. So the professional women's bowling tour is hosting the women's U.S. Open at Sun Valley Lanes and Games this week. Now, is there a way for fans to enjoy this? Can they go? Is there a ticket price? Is it free?

the deal? So you can go to Sun Valley lanes and games. Personally, I don't know if they are charging for admission. However, I mean, you're getting to see some of the world's best women's bowlers. Like you have Malaysia and Singapore and then obviously the women from the States, but it's one of those things that like, this is an opportunity that you don't get in your everyday life. So you might as well take advantage while we're here. The best in the world. And by the way, there's a bunch of Huskers. There's a bunch of, so who all's reping the Scarlet and Cream who's going to participate in this event? So you have your active assistant coach, Julia Bond. You have a previous U.S. Open champion, multi-tort titleist, Liz Colkin. You have Jasmine Mason. I believe they were all

actually on the same team. And then you have Gillian Martin, you have Caleb Estradie, you have me. Oh, gosh, there's. Huskers everywhere. Yeah. I I believe, I know I'm missing a few people, but I believe there's at least 12 or more of us competing in this event, like that are already in the main field. Listen, because I asked that question for a reason, that to say that Nebraska bowling and collegiate bowling, twofold have both built this thing into this incredible vehicle now.

Absolutely. And that in the best in the world, that if you had an invitation for the best, women's bowlers in the world that Nebraska Huskers have to be a part of the conversation. Oh, yeah. That's pretty spectacular. So I mean, oh, we forgot Shannon Bluehouse. How can I forget sharing?

Well, I was going to bring that up because I knew, I know that she would actually come back and go, hey. Like, Crystal, what the heck? What is going on with this? Like, what, why are you mad? But through all of that, right, that your journey through this thing, to get to today and all the stuff that you go through. And people think that collegiate athletes, student athletes, have it easy. It's take, take, take, take.

I wish. But you are the living, walking, talking statement that you have to go through stuff to grow and to be your best. And sometimes you don't even know what changes need to be made. You just know that in the space that I'm in, uh, something needs to happen. So let's go through when did you,

first of all, let's tell people, where's home and, and, and, and, and, and,

and, and, and, and, and, and, so I am, so I live in Palm Bay, Florida right now.

So far east coast, like same county is Cocoa Beach. Okay. Um, also where NASA shoots off the rockets. Like, I'm probably like an hour and a half from like, Cape Canaverone.

Yep. Yeah. I'm probably like an hour and a half. from like Orlando in itself it probably takes me like an hour 45 to get to like Disney world so like I'm like deep in Florida you're a Disney kid aren't you like in oh absolutely I'm Disney kid by how many how many how many pairs of Mickey Mickey Mouse ears so actually it's actually so funny that you say that so I grew up with Disney and then as I got older and like in the college and I'd come home and visit I actually got universal

passes because I was like that Disney stuff is so lame and then after being away for five years I was like I love Disney and so now like my biggest like I have this thing where like I get a pair of ears from another country so um my favorite pair of ears I have right now are the Pixar ball and they're from Tokyo Disney and then I have a so when the Olympics were in Shanghai uh they had uh team USA ears so I have those from Shanghai. I have my Tokyo Disney and then I have one from the States that I just got during Christmas because I was like, oh my gosh, like, I love these. Like I can't help but not get them. And so now I think my goal is just to get an pair of ears from every park around the world. And then obviously on my bucket list is to go and see every Disney park around the world. How many parks do

you think you've been to? I've only been to Disney World. Only Disney. Yeah. But I mean, I had the opportunity to go to Tokyo Disney, but just with some family stuff, and I was like, no, it's more important that I go home, then I can go and visit Tokyo Disney with my family. And so bucket list item is to check off every single Disney park.

And now that they're announcing that they're probably going to be opening a Disney Park in Dubai, that one is going to be cool. And they will probably have a tournament immediately. Oh, I know. I'll be like, I'm going. I don't care what tournament it is.

I'm bowling. You're all over the, you, but you're worldwide now. You're Crystal worldwide now. This is like, yeah, I'm pit bull. Like to see the full crystal tour, right?

That no matter where you are, and if you haven't, if you don't follow Crystal on social media, you need to, because one, it's great exposure to the sport, great exposure to the world. You're all over the country,

all over the world, and it's pretty cool. And it's also cool. You take a little bit of Lincoln, Nebraska with you. Let's ask why, when you knew that bowling was the thing, and that,

Nebraska bowling need to be a part of what you were doing. So it was one of those things that I went into college not knowing like really what to expect. I mean, you're just going in and you're like, okay, college bowling. Everyone talks so highly about it. But as an 18 year old, you're just like, what 17, 18? Like you're like, what is happening? Like essentially you are in your mind making this life changing decision. And you're like, oh my gosh, like this could be the end all be all.

But when I joined the team, my mindset was I want to win a national championship. And I like the team was like the best in the country, in my opinion. Now I obviously looked at them and then McKendry where Brian and Shannon O'Keeffe were. I was like, these are the top two teams in the country. So I wanted to be part of that journey and to make my name a part of history, whether it was the school's history or just NCAA bowling in general. And it was so funny because my first year on the team in Nebraska, I was like, there's no way. Like, how winning a national championship is so hard, no matter what sport you're in. And then we go and win the first year I was on the team.

And that was also the year that I got player of the year MVP at the national championship. And it was just an incredible year in itself. And that was the year that we had the snowstorm here in Lincoln. And it was so bad. And we got stuck in our dorm rooms. Or like some of the girls in their apartment, like they couldn't get out and we still had to go to practice. And I laugh about it because I'm like, that was the moment we won the national championship. Because if it was any other program in the country where you're stuck in your apartment, you're stuck in your dorm room, you can't go anywhere.

Like you're not having practice. And we like made an effort. And now, mind you, I like, I think about it. And I'm like, wow, we were all like, are you serious right now? Like, we have practice. Like, it is like negative 20 out. I can't even. Like, this is the most snow.

Lincoln has gotten. And Lord of girl here, snow is like not a thing. And I was like, oh my gosh. Like, I can't believe that we're actually going through this right now. Were you prepared for the weather? No, coming from Florida. No, absolutely not. And no.

And I like, I tell everyone, I'm like, I can't live in the snow anymore. But, I mean, eventually, like, I got used to it. But my worst experience with it. So it was during COVID. but I had one 8 a.m. class and it was, I think it was like negative 10 out or something. So like I'm heading to class. It's like 7.45 in the morning. And I had my beanie on while I had just taken a shower. And I didn't think about the wet hair rule because in Florida I could just wet my hair and walk outside and nothing's going to happen. Well, I have like a little curly cue on the side of my head.

And I went to go put it behind my ear and it froze off and snapped. And I was like, I'm done. texted my teacher. And I was like, I have COVID. But she was like, oh, no. And then I couldn't go to practice for like the next two days because then they were like, well, you said you had COVID. And I was like, wow, I just really made that hard for myself. Like to me, fans like to talk about recruiting in a very, very between the line, sort of very simple sort of way, but not recognizing that different parts of the country

don't know Lincoln, Nebraska. Lincoln is a very special place. I mean, the state slogan is not every, what is it? It's not everyone. It's not for everybody. It's not for everyone. And that is a true statement now. I mean, I fell in love with the Lincoln area.

And it was just one of those things that like I have so many memories and like coming back. I was like, I remember. And then I would be like, wow, I had a great time here in college. And it, like, there's a place in my heart for Lincoln, for sure. It's interesting. We're talking to Crystal Elliott. She's here with pro women's bowling tour. I have an event this weekend. But the former Husker, former Jack State, all American national champion, all those things. I'm still forgiving me. It's like, you laughed and then you won. I will say it was definitely like I got a mix of emotions. of like messages after I won at Jack State because people were like, well, like, we'd love to see

you win, but we hate to see that it wasn't with Nebraska. And I was like, you know, like, also at the end of the day, like, I think myself like business marketing. Like I market myself. I like, I tried to help myself as much as I could because I knew where my dreams were. And like I had said to you, like, I wanted to learn from one of the best in the world, Shannon O'Keefe and like her winning mindset because you don't find that mindset everywhere. And so the opportunity came about, and I was like, I can't pass up this opportunity again because Brian and Shannon recruited me. And I had told them no. And so now then I finally was able to work with them.

And I mean, I truthfully owed them a lot just because of one season with them. I learned so much. And I will be forever grateful for them. Let's go back, though, and tell me why. I love asking student athletes this question because it's, it opens a door to the soul. But why did you originally choose Nebraska? Why Nebraska?

Because they win. Like they have a winning legacy. I mean, they have, I mean, Wichita State at the time wasn't an NCAA program. But at the time, like, Wichita and Nebraska were the powerhouses of the country and everyone knows their legacy, no matter what. Like, I mean, Coach Straub,

he had built this legacy here at Nebraska. for years to come and like the legacy still lives today and it's incredible because when you go into like the union you see all of these national championships that are on the wall and you're like holy cow like the people that were on the team before like paved the way for people like me and these girls that are coming in now and so that's the incredible part because I was one of those people that I was like I want to pave the way for the future and it's so funny because a lot of the girls that are on the team now are some that I like hosted when I was a student here. And I'm like, I love that you are enjoying your experience here because that's what matters.

Like winning is not everything. It seems like everything because I really want to win. Yeah. Well, I think a part of the champion core. Yeah. A part of your, the championship core. And not many people compete on a level that you've been. and at a level that you're at.

You were a national talent before you got to Nebraska. Like, that's why Nebraska, right. I mean, like, if you go to juniors and in that space, they identify you as a talent. You've worn national colors on, okay, any idea how many times you've represented the USA as far as bowling is concerned? So I've represented them in a tournament called the Tournament of Americas. And just recently, I represented them in Papcon and Champions of Champions.

So I believe it's like three or four times because I went to TOWA's twice. So yeah, four times I've represented the United States. Is there an Olympic space for this? I mean, I hope so. I will say that like the champions of champions and, there's a few other tournaments that we go and bowl. Those would be the closest to an Olympic experience that we can get just because we are not in the actual Olympics.

I wish we were, but bowling is just one of those sports that there's so many outliers that could affect one's experience that it makes it a little bit hard because in the Olympics, like the ultimate goal is to make it as fair as you possibly can for every single person that is, competing and to make sure that not one person has an advantage over another person. And unfortunately in the game of bowling with the oil and the lanes and just even the temperature

outside, like it all plays a factor. And like, unfortunately, we can't just go to a thermostat and like turn down the temperature if we need to. Well, I mean, I think that's the big part of collegiate bowling, especially here in Nebraska where it has explained a lot. giving the young ladies exposure and them having shows to be able to talk about like to the to the average bowler the folks who go in bowling leagues around the area they have some understanding but you're talking about now that it's almost like driving a rocket ship the technology is crazy yeah like getting your fit proper that no two bowlers have used can use a ball with the same metrics it doesn't work and that you have like now I would say two Two-handers are now becoming more of a play in women's bowling. You didn't see it as much before. Like, you see it all the time on the men's tour.

Yeah. And, like, they're all powerhouses. Like, it's insane, like, how much power that they can just create just by the way that they position their body completely different, hold the ball. Like, it's absolutely incredible. Are you, how would you define your game? Like, are you, are you finessex? Are you power a combination?

Are you touch? I would say I'm power. Yeah. Most people would say, like, I just had this conversation with the ball reps last week. They're like, you cannot play the lanes like a girl. You have to play the lanes like a guy. And so it's so. Explain that.

So most girls don't really get around the ball as much. So like their ball doesn't spin as fast as like mine does. And so realistically, like their adjustments are going to be different from what mine would be. And so that means I'm going to use different. balls. I'm going to use different ball speeds. And I probably am going to make a ball change a little bit quicker than they may. How many, how many active, when you go into, let's say you have a match, your first match, how many balls do you take and set up? Like what's in play? I try to always keep 12 in the building just in case. 12 in the building. And then. Yeah. However, the US Open is that tournament

that you were only allowed 10 until. Oh, only 10. Yeah, you, yeah, only 10. Yeah, only. Only 10. Only 10. Bach, how many, how many, how many, how many, how many, how many would you carry into the room, Bach? That's just a lot to carry. 12 bowling ball. And then the weight matters, right? The core matters.

It all changes. So let's go through. The folks can say, okay, you walk into a bowling alley. Most folks have some idea about what size ball they want to play with. Right. You, the ball that you're going to throw most, your first ball. What weight do you prefer? 15.

50 see you but it's also weird because when you get a ball fitted for you uh this is like the pro shop side of me coming out but when you get a ball fitted for you i tell people it's probably about a pound or two lighter when you actually get it fitted compared to like if i picked up a 15 pound house ball i'd be like oh my goodness i could never and so i'd want to go for like those 12 pound balls, but realistically, if, like, you went into a pro shop and you got your own bowling ball, yeah. I mean, I would say, like, go up, maybe a pound or two that you normally, like, if you use 12, maybe use 13.

Because the core is different. It's balanced different. Right. Right. And you're, as you said, you're a high revolution of bowler. So what kind of core is better? Solid core, a thicker or central. It just depends what you're bowling on.

So it depends on the mills that are out on the lane, how long. the oil pattern is. And also you have to think about the characteristics of the house in general. So a lot of bowling centers right in front of the front desk is going to hook a little bit more than some parts of the other house. Because that's where most of your open play is. If you look at when you go into a bowling center, they're not going to put an open play person all the way at the end. They're probably going to put a more experienced bowler closer towards the end. Television cameras, more of the crowd.

right you don't want them inconvenience you don't want the national champion inconvenience a lot of times they actually closed the center down so like this week like the center so sun valley lanes will be closed and only open to the people that are in the field so we had a question from the text that I have a bowling question um for those is palming the ball allowed or is the thumb or mandatory as a professional um so if you look at the men's tour there are people that like do not use their thumb. That is just bananas to me. You could go on YouTube and just look up the reels that the PBA tour has posted.

Yeah. And you'll see a combination of two-handers and one-handers. But ultimately, like I tell people, it's not how you get to the foul line. It's just how you throw the ball. So, I mean, if these people feel more comfortable, and when you're a two-hander, you're only putting two-fingers in. However, I have seen people that have the two-handed style and then they put their thumb in as well. Like, I don't know how you do it, but if it works for you, it works. What's the last finger on the ball for you?

Because I've heard different bowlers talk about, you know what? Some people where the thumb is really the drive, right? It's their balance. But power bowlers tend to go, okay, I know what speed and velocity I want to leave, I wanted to leave my hand with. But what's most important for you when you let it go? It depends. I mean, I have different finger positions, but my thumb is always the first to come out.

I do use my thumb. But my middle finger is normally the last to like leave the ball. I mean, a little bit longer than my ring finger. Genetically, you, well, look, usage matters. Usage matters for several reasons to go through and understand it. It's always, it's always funny to me. that bowlers, the reaction to, it's the same as pitchers.

Pitchers know last touch whether this, you know what, that's a good one. And your best reactions are when you think you just let go of the perfect ball and those pens just stand there and laugh at you and go, nope. Well, I actually just did that. First stop, I left a 5, 7, 10, so I left the center pin, and then the two on the end. Yeah.

And normally that doesn't happen, especially with like a power player like me. Yeah. And I thought it was a great shot, actually. And I was like, you know what? At least it should have just 710, not 5, 7, 10. But the pin also moved back. So it was in the same like line as the really tough to push.

And so like I only made one of them, but I was like, oh my goodness. Like seriously. And I mean, I posted on social media because it's one of the. of those things that like I laugh about it like bowling to me like in the moment it is so serious and like it's life or death but right after it's like I have to at least laugh about it and so like I always like that's one thing that I try to do with like my followers is I always like have them laugh with me because I'm like these things happen all the time and if we can't laugh at ourselves like we're not enjoying our life and our life enough to even just be like you know what like let's just

have a good time. But I've heard you say next ball. Like you next ball. It doesn't matter. Like I don't have time. Oh, memory of a goldfish. It's so funny. I love this part about me. And I think it's one of my favorite things that I do when I bowl. But my ball reps come up to me and they're like, what did you leave? I don't know. And they're like, well, that doesn't help. And I'm like, you didn't see it. And they're like, no. And I'm like, I think I left a 10 pin. And so like we just. It's things like that that I'm like, well, maybe I need to pay a little bit more attention because sometimes I'm like, this is what I left. This is how I left it. And I don't know how I left it. And then there's times I'm like, I have no idea.

But before we go to break, do you go back and watch your matches? No. That part. Like, I don't know any professor or athlete who just refuses to watch what they just did. Like, because it's the part, the analytics of it. Most people have now, they have the, the analytical breakdown, swing breakdown, release, follow through, velocity, spin rate, all those things. And no, you just. No, I just, I mean, there are times that maybe I'm like, oh, I need to see this.

Like, if I win a title, or I should say when I win my first title, like, that's probably one of those things that I'll watch it just because it's like, oh my gosh, like that was my first time, like doing this, like a memory that I want to cherish. but I mean ultimately like I know what I was doing in the moment I don't really need to replay it in my head well your muscle memory is astounding and that's part of how you're able to be a pro but it's all of that we'll talk about your best shots we'll talk about your favorite the favorite lanes to play on some folks for folks to pay attention to this weekend as well crystal Elliott is in town for the professional women's bowling tour and when we come back I want to get into giving some insight for transfers, transfer portal, NIL and what it can do for the young ladies in the bowling program, the best ways to help and the things that people may be misunderstood about it.

There's a lot in play. We'll have that discussion when we come back. Download our app by searching 93.7 a ticket in your app store. You're listening to One-on-One with DP on 937 The Ticket in the Ticket FM. com.