FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2015

CONTACT:
Gordon Vadakin
Phone (316) 978-7655
Fax (316) 978-6056
email - shocker.bowling@wichita.edu
www.wichita.edu/bowling

WICHITA, Kan. – Shocker alumnus Devin Bidwell of Moorpark, Calif. will represent Team USA at the Pan American Games this July in Toronto, Canada. Only four members between women’s and men’s Team USA travel to this event.

Qualifying for the Pan Am Games was based on a point total. Points were combined from Team USA Trials held in Las Vegas, Nev., as well as the USBC Masters, held in Green Bay, Wis.. A majority of the points, 60 percent, came from Team USA Trials with 40 percent gained from final qualifying position while 20 percent came from daily position and the final 40 percent was earned through the USBC Masters.

“The Pan Am Games were the last thing on my mind while bowling Team Trials,” Bidwell, who finished 5th, earning 1260 points at Team Trials, said. “Same thing happened at the Masters, qualifying for Pan Am was not my objective.”

Bidwell’s mindset proved effective as he gained 370 points at the Masters for a 45th place finish, totaling 1,630 points. He topped the qualifying standings for the Pan Am Games and will travel with Tommy Jones of Simpsonville, S.C., who totaled 1,620 points for the men.

The Pan Am Games are an American version of the Olympic games with multiple sport competitions in the same week. Since the games only occur every four years, they are considered one of the most prestigious bowling events.

“Qualifying for the games feels wonderful,” Bidwell, who was a member of the Shocker Bowling team from 2010-’14, said. “I’m excited to train, travel, and see a part of the world I have yet to see.”

From July 10 through 26, the Pan Am Games will take place while the bowlers traveling only spend one week of that time competing.

Two members of Women’s Team USA will compete alongside Bidwell and Jones. Their points are totaled from Team USA Trials and USBC Queens. Currently sitting in first for the women’s standings is Danielle McEwan of Stony Point, N.Y. while Shannon Pluhowsky of Dayton, Ohio is in second.

The USBC Queens takes place in the Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley in Green Bay, Wis. from May 13-18 to determine the final two players for the Pan Am Games.

For more information about the Pan American Games, please visit http://www.toronto2015.org/.

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The Rhatigan Student Center has been the major financial and administrative supporter of the Wichita State University bowling program since 1959.