Dear Diary: Oh, what a night

 
 
Dear Diary: Oh, what a night   April 17, 2008

WICHITA, Kan. — It was Chris Myers, now of Fox’s NASCAR coverage, who summed up Pikeville College’s results from the Night of Champions banquet on the cusp of the USBC’s Intercollegiate Bowling Championships.

Myers, when he was with ESPN, was wont to say, “That deserves a, a wow.”

Let us count the ways:

  • Coaches Association Most Valuable Player, senior Kayla Bandy
  • Writers’ Association Bowler of the Year, Bandy
  • Coaches’ Rookie of the Year, freshman Ashly Galante
  • First-team All-America, writers and coaches, Bandy, Galante and men’s bowler Kyle Barnes
  • Coaches Association Second-Team All-American, Jennifer Wright

I’d call that a pretty good night.

It was a terrific banquet. The food, grilled chicken and roast beef, was top notch. When no knife is needed to cut the meat, it’s a good night.

The speaker was ESPN’s bowling commentator Randy Pedersen, a 13-time PBA tour titlist, who was good despite some “inside” humor 98 percent of us weren’t privy to.

Oh, and then there was this: A marriage proposal. The Wichita State bowlers lined up as if they were playing a game-show of sorts, with the players holding cards, Wheel of Fortune style. They drew a name “at random” to field a trivia question, who happened to be a young lady from Newman, which is also located here in Wichita.

The master of ceremonies was WSU’s legendary Gordon Vadakin, who had her stand in front of the group. He said if she answered properly, she’d win a prize.

On cue, the bowlers turned their cards over, spelling “Will you marry me?” Her guy stepped out from the group, dropped to a knee and popped the question.

Cheers and tears filled the room. I’m assuming, and I could be wrong, that she said yes.

I also could not confirm nor deny that the happy couple will honeymoon at the USBC Intercollegiate Singles Championship next month in Milwaukee.

The action begins Thursday morning with the first four Baker games beginning at 9:45 CDT out at Northrock. We’ll keep you as updated as we can right here at the Web site.

Until then, congrats to the honorees and best of luck to the tennis team, which competes Thursday morning in Louisville in the MSC tournament!