Team USA competition roster set for 2012

ARLINGTON, Texas - Four Team USA members will have the opportunity to bowl for world titles later this year as the coaches' selections for international competition have been announced.

BarnesUSA2012InsideThe United States' Chris Barnes (pictured), Tommy Jones, Kelly Kulick and Shannon O'Keefe have been selected to represent their country at the inaugural World Tenpin Bowling Association World Singles Championships in Limassol, Cyprus, from Sept. 18-25.

More than 50 countries are expected to compete in the World Singles Championships, which was created to bridge the gap between the world events that feature full teams. The next full WTBA World Championships for men and women will take place in 2013 in Henderson, Nev.

"Selecting which bowlers represent the United States in international competition is one of the hardest decisions we make all year," Team USA head coach Rod Ross said. "We are fortunate to have such a talented group of athletes to choose from and all of them are deserving to compete in each event."

The major team competition for Team USA will take place at the 2012 Pan American Bowling Confederation Combined Championships from Aug. 18-25 at Sunset Station's Strike Zone Bowling Center in Henderson, Nev. BOWL.com's BowlTV will have wire-to-wire live coverage of the event.

Selected to compete in the men's division are Patrick Allen, John Janawicz, Steve Smith, Bill O'Neill, Tommy Jones and Marshall Kent. The women will be represented by Liz Johnson, Stefanie Nation, Josie Earnest, Diandra Asbaty, Shannon Pluhowsky and Leanne Hulsenberg.

At the 2012 Lee Evans Tournament of the Americas from July 29-Aug. 4 in Tamarac, Fla., Sean Rash, AJ Johnson, Tammy Turner and Addileen Pointer will compete in the men's and women's divisions, respectively. In the under-20 division, AJ Chapman, Tyler Cruz, Holly Harris and Elise Bolton will take part. Kamron Doyle will bowl in the under-15 boys division.

The Team USA representatives at the 48th QubicaAMF World Cup were determined at the 2012 USBC Team USA Trials in January. The winners of the event were automatically given spots in the World Cup. Kent will represent the men, while Danielle McEwan will bowl for the women when the event takes place Nov. 24-Dec. 2 in Wroclaw, Poland.

Lee Evans Tournament of the Americas
July 29-Aug. 4
Tamarac, Fla.

MEN: Sean Rash, AJ Johnson
WOMEN: Tammy Turner, Addileen Pointer
BOYS (under 20): AJ Chapman, Tyler Cruz
GIRLS (under 20): Holly Harris, Elise Bolton
BOYS (under 16): Kamron Doyle

PABCON Adults Championships
Aug. 18-25
Henderson, Nev.

MEN: Patrick Allen, John Janawicz, Steven Smith, Bill O'Neill, Tommy Jones, Marshall Kent
WOMEN: Liz Johnson, Stefanie Nation, Josie Earnest, Diandra Asbaty, Shannon Pluhowsky, Leanne Hulsenberg

WTBA World Singles Championships

Sept. 18-25
Limassol, Cyprus

MEN: Chris Barnes, Tommy Jones
WOMEN: Kelly Kulick, Shannon O'Keefe

48th QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup

Nov. 24-Dec. 2
Wroclaw, Poland

MEN: Marshall Kent
WOMEN: Danielle McEwan