FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22, 2016

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

Short Week: Four days after returning from the ISBPA/Kegel Midwest Collegiate Classic, the Shocks are at it again! Hosted by McKendree University, the Shockers are competing in the McKendree Baker Challenge in Fairview Heights on January 23rd and 24th.

All Baker Format: The McKendree Baker Challenge features a unique format in that all games bowled are Baker games. Since Sectionals and Nationals are all-Baker events, this is a great event leading up to post-season in one month.

History: Last year, both Shocker men and Lady Shox finished third. In the last four years, the men have won the event once and the women twice.

St. Clair Schedule: In Fairview Heights, Ill., both the Lady Shox and Shocker men are competing at St. Clair Bowl. All teams will bowl 24 baker games on Saturday beginning at 9:15 a.m. Everyone returns Sunday for 16 more Baker games at 9:00 a.m. The field is then cut to the top eight men’s and top eight women’s teams for a best-two-of-three, single elimination bracket.

How to keep up: Follow the Shockers scores on their Facebook (/shockerbowling) and Twitter (@shockerbowling) for periodic score updates when they are available!

On the Bus: Sydney Brummett, Hollyann Johansen, Sierra Kanemoto, Dasha Kovalova, Kristie López, Laura Plazas and Caitlin Tam make up the women’s team for the weekend. The men’s team is made up of Brandon Biondo, AJ Chapman, Tyler Cruz, Packy Hanrahan, Wesley Low, Thomas Peters, Zach Rhoades and Justin Zwaschka.

Colombian Superstars: At the tail end of winter break, Colombia had their national team trials. Two Shocker alumni and one current Shocker claimed their spots on Team Colombia. Clara Guerrero (’03-’06) won the even again and earned a spot on Team Colombia for her eighth consecutive year. Rocio Restrepo (’06-’10) earned her thirteenth berth on Team Colombia by finishing second. Current junior Laura Plazas earned her very first spot on Team Colombia by finishing sixth. Plazas also won the youth division, earning another year on Youth Team Colombia.

Shocker Speak: Junior Hollyann Johansen and Senior AJ Chapman
Is your team excited for an all-Baker format? How do you prepare for such an event?
HJ: We are super excited for this weekend! During practice we bowled quite a few Baker games and even some match play to make sure we were sharp.
AC: We are definitely excited to compete! We feel our skills definitely show during Baker games. We shot a lot of spares this week and bowled some Baker matches.
What is your favorite thing about college bowling?
HJ: I love being able to travel to places I’ve never been with a great group of teammates.
AC: Baker bowling is definitely my favorite part of college bowling. It brings a sense of urgency and I love how it brings out the raw emotion in everyone. Nobody holds back and it’s really fun.

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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.