Shocker Women's Bowling 24-25 Season

[Kung Wu]

Daaaaaang.

[1972Shocker]

Sara sure took that in stride. I wonder how many 300 games she has recorded?

[SubGod22]

[1972Shocker]

[1972Shocker]

[1972Shocker]

RH: Duque Jimenez Joins Pipeline of Talented Colombians at Wichita State

Sara Duque Jimenez thrives on the responsibility inherent in bowling.

The bowler, the ball and the pins. No one to help. No one to blame.

"It's you – and nobody else matters," she said. "It's so calm and simple."

Duque Jimenez, a sophomore from Medellin, Colombia, serves as Wichita State's anchor bowler and ranks among the NCAA leaders in several statistical categories. No. 7 Wichita State starts its spring schedule on Friday at the Northeast Classic in New Castle, Delaware. The 33-team field includes 22 of the top 25 teams and all in the top 10 of the National Tenpin Coaches Association poll.

This competition – the largest field of the season - will give the Shockers a preview of what it will take to do well in NCAA play in April.

"What her makes unique from other bowlers is that she wants to figure it out and strike and be matched up all the time, not just when competition happens," Harris said. "Competition doesn't scare her or make her more nervous. She practices more than anybody else."

That focus in practice makes Duque Jimenez one of the nation's top bowlers. As a freshman, she won the Intercollegiate Singles Championship and helped the Shockers win their 11th Intercollegiate Team Championships.

Duque Jimenez started bowling around age 7 in Medellin after watching her father bowl. Within roughly a year she bowled in a league.

"At the beginning, I was just having fun," she said. "Then I was like 'Wow, I am good at this, and I want to be the best.' Then I got competitive."

Wichita State has a long association with Colombian bowlers. Clara Guerrero, a 2005-06 All-American for the Shockers, is a family friend and guided Jimenez to Wichita State. Guerrero, who bowls professionally, was named Colombia's 2009 Athlete of the Year. Rocio Restrepo, also an All-American at WSU, owns four titles on the PBWA Tour.

Duque Jimenez said the positive tone set by coaches and teammates helps her mental game. The sport can grind away at her mood because she is so competitive. Wichita State's approach to eases her mind. Staying upbeat helps her put a mistake out of her mind quickly and focus on the next ball.

"I feel like I'm enjoying the game more," she said. "If you enjoy it, you're going to bowl great because you're loose. They've taught me I need to be more positive."

[1972Shocker]

Bowling Preview: Northeast Classic

The #7-ranked Wichita State women's bowling team kicks off the spring portion of the schedule against a loaded field at the Northeast Classic. Hosted by Sacred Heart, the competition begins Friday, January 17 and concludes Sunday, January 19 at the Bowlerama in New Castle, Delaware.

The 38-team field includes all of the nation's top-10 teams in the latest NTCA Poll and 22 of the top 25 overall. It is the largest field in the history of NCAA Women's Bowling.

Full Field:
#1 Vanderbilt, #2 Jacksonville State, #3 Nebraska, #4 Youngstown State, #5 Arkansas State, #6 Stephen F. Austin, #7 Wichita State, #8 Sam Houston, #9 Maryville, #10 North Carolina A&T, #11 Sacred Heart, #12 Louisiana Tech, #13 McKendree, #14 Duquesne, #15 Tulane, #17 Mount St. Mary's, #18 Maryland Eastern Shore, #19 Merrimack, #21 UAB, #22 Delaware State, #23 Felician, #24 Mercyhurst, Adelphi, Bryant, Central Missouri, Dominican, Holy Family, H oward, Kutztown, Long Island, Molloy, Morgan State, Niagara, Norfolk State, Valparaiso, Wagner, William Smith, and Wright State.

The schedule and format of the tournament is as follows:

• Friday - Five Baker matches starting at 9:00 AM CT
• Saturday - Five traditional matches starting at 8:25 AM CT
• Sunday - Three best-of-seven Baker matches starting at 7:25 AM CT to determine final placings

Friday (Baker format): Baker matches are structured with five players combining to bowl each of 5 games, each player bowling two frames in each game.

• Match 1 vs. Molloy: Wichita State 1,096 - Molloy 923
• Match 2 vs. #11 Sacred Heart: Sacred Heart 1,001 - Wichita State 959
• Match 3 vs. RV Wright State: Wichita State 960 - Wright State 953
• Match 4 vs. William Smith: Wichita State 1,009 - William Smith 964
• Match 5 vs. #18 Maryland Eastern Shore: Wichita State 1,142 - Maryland ES 986

Nice strong finish for the Shocks on Friday. Their total pin count of 5,166 puts then in 6th place after day 1.

in the first semester matches the is the Shocks performed better in the traditional matches than they have in the Baker matches. Let's hope that holds true tomorrow.

Saturday (Traditional Matches): In each match each of a team's 5 players bowl an individual game, with all five games added together.

• Match 1 vs. #19 Merrimack: Wichita State 1,032 - Merrimack 915......(Good star)
• Match 2 vs. Norfolk State: Wichita State 940 - Norfolk State 818........(A little weak in terms of total pins)
• Match 3 vs. Long Island: Wichita State 1,107 - Long Island 790..........(Nice bounce back by the Shocks)
• Match 4 vs. #21 UAB: Wichita State 996 - UAB 973............................(Okay. Need to finish of with a big score)
• Match 5 vs. #22 Delaware St: Wichita State 908 - DelawareSt 901

The Shocks are doing okay through the first 3 matches although Sara Duque Jiminez is struggling a bit. In Match 1 Sara bowled a solid 212 while Aleesha Oden led the way with a 253 but Mary Orf/Piper Reams could only manage a 141. Not sure if that means Piper subbed in for Mary. Not sure what the rules are on that. I am not sure why two players are shown. In Match 2 Mary Orf/Piper Reams struggled to a 133. Again not sure what that indicates. Sara also struggled in March 2 rolling a 160. Aleesha again led the Shocks with 235. In March 3 Sara could only manage a 179 with her 4 teammates picking her up led by Piper with a 269. Hopefully, Sara can get back on her game. In March 4 Morgan Kline led the way with a 230. Sara improce a little to 189. In Match 5 Sara improved to 202 but Ashtyn Woods only managed a 135.

Total pin count for the day 4,983, That drops the Shockers from 6th in total pin count to 9th in total pin count. I think that pretty much eliminates them from contention as far as winning this tournament.