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| The Shockers celebrate a striking showing at nationals this April in Buffalo, N.Y. |
The Shockers began the tournament with a 4-2 victory over the Arizona State University Lady Sun Devils, but lost the next match, 4-0, to the Indiana State University Lady Sycamores.
“We got out of the bowling center, and we got a chance to talk a little bit,” Assistant Head Coach Mark Lewis reports. Taking lunchtime to regroup, the Shockers came back strong to beat Sacred Heart, Arizona State again and Indiana State. They then faced the Central Missouri State University Jennies. Because CMSU was undefeated, the Shockers had to beat them twice, and they did, 4-2 and 4-1.
The Shockers’ final match, for the national championship, was against Morehead State University.
Both teams rolled a 191 the first game giving them each a half point. Morehead went on to win the second game, 163-156, but the Shockers battled back and beat Morehead 222-128 the third game. The match was tied. After switching lanes one last time, Morehead State narrowly edged the Shockers, 178-174, and the bowling team took home second place at nationals for the first time since 1995.
On the men’s side, after qualifying second behind Nebraska, the Shockers lost to Penn State University. They then faced California State University-Fresno and beat them, 4-1, only to lose to Saginaw Valley State University, 4-2, in the third round, ending their season. “These tournaments come down to very small things,” Head Coach Gordon Vadakin said. “We just didn’t get it done.”
Garnering recognition this season were Jodie Riddell and Katie Verbil, selected as Second Team All-Americans.
Kristal Scott was awarded All-American Honorable Mention status, and Verbil was also a Bowling Writers Association of America “Bowler of the Year” Honorable Mention selection. Nathan Bohr was chosen a Second Team All-American, while Beau McVey was an All-American Honorable Mention selection. Sean Rash and McVey were also BWAA “Bowler of the Year” Honorable Mention selections, while Bohr was a “Bowler of the Year” Runner-Up.
— Wichita State Bowling Office
