FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 17, 2015

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

Flying on a Jet Plane: The Shocker men and women fly to Las Vegas on Friday to compete in back-to-back Tier One events, the Glenn Carlson Las Vegas Invitational and the Collegiate Shootout.

End of First half: These two tournaments are stops two and three of the Shockers’ four Tier I tournament streak. They won the National Team Match Games and now will close first semester with these two Tier I events.

Lady Shox Undefeated in Las Vegas: Over the last five years, the Lady Shox are undefeated in Las Vegas, sweeping both the Las Vegas Invitational and the Collegiate Shootout the last five times. Over the last five years the men have won each event one time.

Schedule: It’s going to be a very busy four days for the Shockers. First up is the Las Vegas Invitational at the South Point Bowling Plaza. Six traditional team games begins on Saturday, December 19 at 10:00 a.m. All teams return for an additional three team games on Sunday at 8:00 a.m. After the team games the tournament cuts to the top 16 men’s and eight women’s team for a best-three-of-five, single elimination baker match play. Monday brings the Collegiate Shootout at The Orleans. Teams begin with two sets of three team games, the first at 8:15 a.m. and the second at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday is Baker day as the teams compete in four, four game Baker blocks. This tournament again uses the Barnhart format, where every game is a match with three other teams.

Barnhart Format: This tournament features the unique Barnhart format, where every game is match play. Every game (or four-game Baker set) is match play, bowling against the team on your pair and the two teams on the adjacent pair. For each team beaten, the winning team receives 80 bonus points. The tournament champion is determined based on total pinfall with bonus pins.

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

Shocker Flyers: Six women and seven men are making the trek to Las Vegas. Sydney Brummett, Hollyann Johansen, Sierra Kanemoto, Dasha Kovalova, Kristie López and Laura Plazas are flying for the ladies. Wesley Low is meeting AJ Chapman, Stephen Cowland, Tyler Cruz, Mitch Hupé, Zach Rhoades and Justin Zwaschka out in Las Vegas. Coach Vadakin and Coach Lewis will be joined by Nathan Bohr, who is meeting the teams after competing in the World Series of Bowling in Reno.

Worlds: Many current and former Shockers have been busy these last few weeks. Women’s World Championships were held in Abu Dhabi. Shocker alum Jazreel Tan walked away with a bronze medal in the team event. At the PBA World Series of Bowling, a number of Shockers made the cut in the animal pattern events as well as the World Championship. Make sure to watch for Lonnie Waliczek on the Scorpion Open show!

Shocker Speak: Junior Mitch Hupé and Sophomore Sierra Kanemoto
With no official team practices since school ended, how are you guys staying sharp for back to back Tier I tournaments?
SK: We are practicing individually a lot and trying to get together in small groups as well.
MH: We have been practicing on our own and using leagues to get some extra reps in as well. We have scheduled a couple team practices too.
Describe first semester in one word.
SK: Entertaining!
MH: Promising.

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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.