FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2014
CONTACT:
Gordon Vadakin
Phone (316) 978-7655
Fax (316) 978-6056
email - shocker.bowling@wichita.edu
www.wichita.edu/bowling
Roumimper Shines at USBC Queens
WICHITA, Kan. – Recent graduate Tannya Roumimper proved she was not only one of the
best collegiate players during her career at Wichita State but also proved she was
one of the best players in the world as she placed third in early July at the USBC
Queens in Reno, Nev. one week ago. The Queens tournament is one of the world’s finest
singles tournaments for women. This annual event features a global field of the best
female bowling athletes.
Roumimper, from Bandung, Indonesia cruised through the 15-game qualifying portion
of the event with 5-game sets of 1172, 1072 and 1146. Her 226 average earned her the
number two seed in the 32 person bracket.
The bracket consisted of 3-game total pin-fall matches. Roumimper faced a challenging
road with former Team USA members and USBC Hall of Famers. Roumimper bowled 688 the
first match to defeat Tina Williams’ 602.
Next up was USBC Hall of Fame member Lynda Barnes. The match came down to the end
of the third game where Roumimper had to double in the tenth to win the match and
stay in the winner’s bracket. Like she did many times before, Roumimper struck twice
to win the match 675-673.
“I have looked up to Lynda my whole life and wanted to be like her someday, so the
butterflies in my stomach were a little different bowling her,” Roumimper said.
As if one Hall of Famer wasn't enough, Roumimper faced Carol Gianotti next. Another
tight match that came down to the final frame of the final game, Roumimper doubled
to beat Gianotti 645 to 630. With that win, she was one match away from making her
first major telecast. Former Team USA member Jen Higgins was the only thing standing
in her way. With a 650 to 637 win, Roumimper made her first telecast.
In the match to determine the number 1 and number 2 seeds for television, Roumimper
faced Maria José Rodriguez of Colombia. Roumimper bowled 582 to Rodriguez's 614, earning
the number 2 seed for the live ESPN2 telecast.
The live telecast was a five person, one game stepladder finals. As the number two
seed, Roumimper had to wait two matches before stepping onto the lanes. Two-time Queens
Champion Kelly Kulick ended up being Roumimper’s opponent. Roumimper struggled to
find the right motion and ended her Queens tournament with a 137 to 248 loss, finishing
in third place.
“This is the highest achievement in my bowling career thus far. For a moment after
the telecast, I felt frustrated and embarrassed. Then I remembered not many people
have the opportunity to experience bowling on live television, so I am incredibly
grateful and happy with my overall perfomance” Roumimper said. “I feel humbled by
all of the support and well wishes I received throughout the week. I am one lucky
person to have all of my friends supporting me.”
Other former Shockers who made the 32 player bracket were Clara Guererro (’03-’06),
Rocio Restrepo (’06 - ’10) and Jazreel Tan (’09-’13).
For more information about the USBC Queens, visit www.bowl.com/queens.
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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.