Wichita State’s bowling team added four men and four women to their select team after a rigorous tryout process.

The three-week tryout process included a physical test, a skills test measuring accuracy and their ability to shoot selected angles and 33 games bowled on 10 different lane conditions. Assistant coach Mark Lewis leads the tryouts.

During the tryout process, 13 on-lane statistics are examined to evaluate prospective bowling members.

“Normally, in our sport, bowling average is the only stat that most people look at,” head coach Gordon Vadakin said. “We don’t stop at that.”

After all the statistics are compiled, including the physical and skill tests, the players have a real look at their skill and overall game.

Lewis said the physical aspect may not be the most grueling part of the process.

“It’s very much a mental test,” Lewis said. “The field and the depth of the talent is so much better at the college level.”

Thirty men and 13 women competed for the four spots on the rosters. The four men who were placed on the select team were sophomore Enzo Hernandez, junior transfer from Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Douglas Wagner, two seniors and former developmental team players Jack Stewart and Packy Hanrahan.

Hernandez made 309 marks out of 370, the highest percentage of the tryout roster while adding 161 spares.

Stewart completed 57 pushups and 92 sit ups while running a time of 14:25 in the two-mile portion. Hanrahan tied the men’s group with 100 points in the physical test, completing 47 pushups and 97 sit-ups.

“(The tryouts) are nothing like I’ve ever experienced before” Wagner said.

Wagner prepared for tryouts everyday, especially the physical challenges. In the months leading up to tryouts, he lost 80 pounds.

“I’ve been working towards this for the last year and a half,” Wagner said.

A player’s experience and team-play skills are important factors when deciding who will be placed on the team. They must be able to work with all types of people seeing as how the bowling team is comprised of bowlers from five countries and 23 states.

The four women who were chosen to be on the select team were senior Ashlyn Herzberg, who will be on the select team for a third year, sophomores and last year developmental team players Brooke Woodard and Kayla Ovesny and freshman Kaitlyn Rudy.

“I practiced five times a week last year just trying to improve myself,” Ovesny said.

Herzberg made 147 spares out of 225 along with knocking down 159 pocket pins. Ovesny led the women with 13 made splits while knocking down 259 pins in the category of first ball accuracy.

Wichita State starts its season with the Mid State’s Collegiate Tournament at Wichita’s Northrock Lanes. The tournament will consist of six team games and 20 baker games, with the top eight men and women advancing to a best two out of three single elimination Baker bracket.