Wichita State wins 2015 XBowling ITC men's title

WICHITA, Kan. - The Wichita State men added another Kerm Helmer Cup to their trophy case after capturing the 2015 XBowling Intercollegiate Team Championships.

In the championship match, which was aired nationally on CBS Sports Network, the Shockers swept Midland, 3-0, to record the program's 11th ITC men's title.

Wichita State grinded out the opening game, 169-129, before starting the second game with seven consecutive strikes on their way to a 275-167 win. The Shockers grabbed the early lead in game three and never looked back despite back-to-back splits in the fourth and fifth frames, capping the title run, 210-166.

"We bowled unbelievable this week," Wichita State junior AJ Chapman said. "We stuck to our plan all week and just made awesome shots to get here. It's crazy. We all came to Wichita State for this moment. The feeling hasn't sunk in yet."

The win in 2015 also marks the second title captured by Wichita State at Northrock Lanes. The Shockers took home the 2008 ITC at the 48-lane center.

"It's great for our school and community to get to share this title," Wichita State head coach Gordon Vadakin said. "We feel so lucky to compete in this environment. We had such a great crowd and supportive bowling community behind us today, and to see so many of them rooting us on was an exhilarating feeling."

Nick Pate of Midland was named the tournament's most valuable player.

Pate was joined on the men's all-tournament team by Chapman, Mitch Katic of Calumet, Cristian Azcona of Lindenwood and Cameron Weier of Robert Morris-Illinois.

The XBowling Intercollegiate Team Championships featured the top 16 men's and top 16 women's college bowling teams in the country vying for national titles. All 32 teams competed in best-of-seven, double-elimination match play in the Baker format until the field was pared down to the finalists in both the men's and women's divisions.

For more information on the 2015 XBowling Intercollegiate Team Championships, visit BOWL.com/ITC.

XBowling is the title sponsor of the collegiate national championships. XBowling is a first-of-its-kind bowling app that empowers bowlers to connect and compete using their smart phone or tablet devices while bowling within XBowling enabled centers locally, across the country and around the world. The XBowling platform allows bowlers to enter challenges, view live scoring, and compete remotely while bowling.