FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2015

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

Shockers Look to Shine Around the Globe

WICHITA, Kan. – Some say that summer time is considered the “off-season” for bowling; however the Shocker Bowling program strongly disagrees. Many of our current and former players spend the summer traveling the world, competing in various international competitions.

Soon-to-be sophomore Sydney Brummett (Fort Wayne, Ind.) and juniors Mitch Hupé (Winnipeg, Canada), Kristie López (Ponce, Puerto Rico) and Laura Plazas (Bogotá, Colombia) will represent the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Colombia, respectively, in the PABCON Youth Championships in Panama City, Panama beginning Sunday, June 28th. They will compete in singles, doubles, trios, team and masters events over the course of a week. Although Hupé, López and Plazas have represented their countries before, each time they put on their shirts with their country’s name on it is something special.

“You can't put into words what it means to represent your country,” Plazas said. “I’m really excited for the high quality competition with the best. Every day will be a chance to bring medals back to Colombia and I’m really excited to step on the podium and listen to the Colombian anthem. That’s the best part.”

This is the first time Brummett will represent the United States and she is ready.

“Thinking about representing my country, I have those butterflies of nervousness, but I’m extremely excited to head to Panama. I’m looking forward to competing against new people, bonding with my USA teammates and seeing some of my WSU teammates as well,” Brummett said.

Not long after PABCON is over, more Shockers head to Japan to represent their country in the World Bowling Open. Incoming seniors AJ Chapman (Manchester, Iowa) and Daria Kovalova (Moscow, Russia) will join a number of former Shockers in Tokyo July 9th – 12th to compete.

“I’ve been doing quite a bit to prepare for the event,” Chapman said. “I bowled a few bigger tournaments to get ready for the large tournament environment. I’ve talked with Coach Vadakin to stay mentally sharp and I’ve worked with Storm to get my equipment ready. I’m really excited to head over there.”

Many current and future Shockers will compete in the Junior Gold Championships in Chicago, Ill. July 12th – 17th. This is the biggest junior tournament in the country each year. Current and future Shockers participating include: Brandon Biondo (Carpentersville, Ill.) Brummett, Packy Hanrahan (Greenwich, Conn.), Ashlyn Herzberg (Wichita, Kan.), Derick Holmes (Wichita, Kan.) Hollyann Johansen (Wichita, Kan.), Thomas Peters (Belleville, Ill.) and Chenoa Rhoades (Lafayette, Ind.).

The Pan American Games are held in Toronto, Canada and the Shockers will be well represented. Recent graduate Francois Lavoie (Québec, Canada) and incoming junior López will join a list of Shocker Bowlers including Mariana Ayala (’06 – ’10), Devin Bidwell (’10 – ’14) and Clara Guerrero (’03 – ’06).

“There are really no words to describe what I’m feeling right now. It is my first Pan Am Games and it’s exciting to meet other athletes from my country who compete in different sports. I feel really blessed to have the opportunity to represent my country in this big event,” López said.

Scores and results will be posted to the Wichita State Shocker Bowling Facebook page, as well as the Shocker Bowling Twitter feed for fans that would like to follow along.

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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.