Update

Three-peat!

Wichita State men claim third title in a row for second time.

FOOTBALL HAS THE blue

and gold of Notre Dame, but when you think about col- lege bowling, it’s hard not to envision the bright yellow jerseys of Wichita State. The Shockers’ men’s

squad captured its third consecutive team title April 17 at the 2010 United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Team Championships in El Paso, Texas. Three champion- ships in a row is impressive

40 USBOWLER SUMMER 2010

by itself, but consider the fact this is the second time Wichita State has done that (the school also reeled off three in a row from 1993- 95). This latest win gives the Shocker men a record 10 ITC titles. The Shockers dominated

the men’s final, sweeping Calumet College of St. Joseph, 2-0, in the best- of-three championship match. Wichita State took the opening game, 232-154,

and closed out the match with a 226-177 victory over Calumet to win the Kerm Helmer Cup. “I can’t find the words to

express what this means,” said Wichita State coach Gordon Vadakin, who has led the Shockers to all 10 of their men’s titles in his 33 years as head coach. “It’s so hard to win one title and to win three in a row is just crazy. Our guys played well all season, and the last three

days have been our days.” By the fifth frame in each

of the two games, Wichita State had established a big lead. “The guys bowled so

well in front of me and took all the pressure off,” said anchor bowler John Szczerbinski, one of two seniors on the roster along with Josh Blanchard. “Going out on top always feels good, but the journey was probably the best thing. The time I’ve

COACH WITH THE MOST:

Gordon Vadakin (far right), head coach of the Shockers, guided his team to a record 10th title in his 33rd year of coaching