FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2015

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

WICHITA, Kan. – Usually, the Shockers are forced to travel to the Intercollegiate Singles Championships (ISC) and Intercollegiate Team Championships (ITC). This year the ISC and ITC come to the Shockers as Northrock lanes in Wichita, Kan. is set to host both events for the week.

ISC competition begins Tuesday, April 14 from 7:45 a.m. through 5:15 p.m. and ITC competition begins Thursday, April 16 and completes Saturday, April 18 after recording the television finals, which are set to air every Monday in May on CBS Sports at 6:00 p.m. CST.

Both teams qualified for the team portion of the week through the Fort Worth sectional by placing first. Though the Lady Shockers maintained a hefty lead of over 200 pins through their tournament performance, the men lived a different experience. Junior AJ Chapman (Manchester, Iowa) struck on his fill shot to clinch victory for the Shockers. The momentum of the tournament certainly helps the Shockers on their way to the ITC.

“It takes some time to adapt to the environment and the second day of competition is usually much smoother,” senior Francois Lavoie (Québec City, Canada) said. “At sectionals, we weren't in the lead until the last few games, which shows we have a lot of heart. It’s great to know that heading into the last tournament of the season.”

The number one ranked Lady Shockers have had quite the season, winning every Tier I event they entered. As the season comes to an end, the women are quite motivated to get into competition.

“Going into the last tournament, we feel really solid and motivated,” junior Dasha Kovalova (Moscow, Russia) said. “The girls who weren't selected to throw shots are really supportive. It shows how united we are.”

Not only did the men and women qualify for the team portion, six Shockers qualified for the ISC. Kovalova lead the Fort Worth sectional by 71 pins and junior Kristie López (Ponce, Puerto Rico) qualified 4th. Freshman Sydney Brummett (Fort Wayne, Ind.) finished fifth and was the alternate. We were informed that one of the other two ladies from the Fort Worth sectional is unable to compete, so Brummett will step in. Senior Christopher Colella (Templeton, Mass.), junior Tyler Cruz (Tacoma, Wash.) and senior Matt McNiel (Prior Lake, Minn.) also earned their spots into the ISC.

The Shockers plan to add to the record 19 national titles earned over the years.

“We aren't worried about winning or losing,” Assistant Coach Mark Lewis said. “These teams have put in a lot of quality work and now it’s time to leave it all on the lanes.”

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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.