Wichita, Kan. - The Shocker Bowling teams will begin their quest for a third national championship in as many years at home in Wichita. For the fourth straight year Wichita State and Newman University will host the Mid-States Invitational at Northrock Lanes this weekend.

“We’re proud along with Newman to host this tournament and we hope it stays in Wichita for a long time,” said Gordon Vadakin, Wichita State Head Bowling Coach.

The tournament which is set to run Oct. 11-12, will give local fans the ability to see the Shockers start their season. Fans will be able to see many of the new faces and members to the Wichita State program as the team will bring all of the selected and developmental team players. Named after five current and past professional bowlers from the WSU program, the men will have five teams (Barnes, Healey, Hromek, Steelsmith and Waliczek) and the women will have two (Black and Gold).

“This is a great opportunity to see the local college bowling programs start their seasons,” said Vadakin. “There is going to be some great collegiate bowling.”

26 men’s and 9 women’s teams from across the nation will be in attendance to kick off the collegiate bowling season. Both the men and women have won the Midstates for three consecutive years and will look to add a fourth this year. Admittance to the tournament is free and Northrock Lanes is located just north of 29th and Rock Rd at 3232 North Rock Road.

Below is the schedule of events for the weekend.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

12:30 p.m. Practice begins
12:45 p.m. First Block (4 games)
4:45 p.m. Dinner
5:45 p.m. Practice
6:00 p.m. Second block (3 games)

Sunday, October 12, 2008

7:45 a.m. Practice
8:00 a.m. Third Block (3 games)
11:00 a.m. Lunch
11:45 p.m. Practice
Noon Fourth Block (eight, 2 game Baker series)
3:30 p.m. Awards

More Shocker Updates

Former Shocker Bowlers achieved one of the top honors in bowling over the summer at the USBC Women’s Championships. Leslie Bohn (Beamish) and Chrissie Kent (Beamish) were members of the Shocker Bowling team in the 90’s and were part of the Bohn Zone Chicks team who claimed the Classic Team title at the Women’s Championships. Now married to PBA starts Parker Bohn III and Doug Kent, the Beamish sisters played on national championship teams while at WSU; Leslie in 1990 and Chrissie in 1994.

The Bohn Zone Chicks threw a total score of 3,171 with a 628 series from Bohn and a 589 from Kent. The sisters also teamed up again to bowl in the doubles event in which they finished in 16th place.

The USBC Women’s Championships is the largest women’s bowling tournament in the world. This year the 88-day tournament was held in Canton, Mich. and fielded over 40,000 bowlers from around the world.

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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