CourtesyAfter a long season of travel, the Wichita State bowling team will compete on the highest stage in collegiate bowling at home in Wichita, Kan. For the second straight season the Shocker bowling team will have a chance to claim the national championships in front of their hometown fans.
The tournament will be held April 16-19, at Northrock Lanes, 3232 N. Rock Road.
The Shockers earned their way into the U.S. Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Team Championships via their finish at the Fairview Heights Sectional qualifier March 15-16.
The top four teams from four sectional qualifiers held in Allentown, Pa., Chattanooga, Tenn., Fairview Heights, Ill., and Las Vegas, Nev., will come together to feature the top 16 men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 teams competing for the title in Wichita.
As the top ranked teams in the nation, the Shockers didn鈥檛 disappoint in their sectionals, with both easily qualifying to nationals. The women won the sectional and the men finished second.
The women led the tournament from beginning to end as they finished day one in first place with a lead of 283 pins after 32 baker games. On the final day, with an additional 32 baker games bowled, the women blew the lead open and won with ease by 716 pins over McKendree College, the team the Shockers defeated for the National Championship last season.
鈥淭his is a talented group of women, and they played the lanes very well,鈥� said Shocker head coach Gordon Vadakin.
For the men, the road to Wichita wasn鈥檛 quite as easy. After a slow start on the first day, the men sat on the cut line in fourth place. However, the team rebounded on the second day and finished the tournament in second place, just missing the title by 36 pins.
鈥淲e really battled the lanes and nearly came back,鈥� said Vadakin. 鈥淗owever, in this tournament fourth is as good as first.鈥�
With their qualifications into the championships, the Shockers have continued to make history with their amazing streak of championship appearances.
The women have qualified for the championships since 1982, and this season will be their 27th consecutive appearance and 33rd overall. The men will be making their 23rd straight appearance and 28th overall in the 34-year history of the championships.
鈥淥ur continued success really is a testament to the program鈥檚 ability to attract talented players and improve their existing skills,鈥� said Vadakin.
The Lady Shockers will look to repeat as national champions and win their ninth title in school history, while the men look to bounce back from their fifth place finish last season and claim their eighth title.
Teams will come together to honor the nation鈥檚 top players and coaches on April 16 during the Night of Champions banquet and dinner. Qualifying will be held the next day, and the first rounds of match play will begin on April 18. On April 19 the conclusion to the tournament will be held, with the semi-final rounds and the televised championship finals.
For updated information about players and teams throughout the championship tournament, go to . Tournament information can also be accessed in the collegiate section of .