A strong Team USA for a bright future
April 14, 2016
Later this month, four Team USA members - Stefanie Johnson, Shannon Pluhowsky, Tommy Jones and Chris Via - will head to Puebla, Mexico, for the PABCON Champion of Champions in hopes of earning the United States a berth into the 2017 World Games.
They also hope to bring back a little extra hardware in their carry-on luggage in the form of gold, silver and bronze medals (preferably, more gold than silver and bronze) from Noria Pro Bowling after the five-day event concludes April 26.
For these players, a lifetime of preparation and dedication goes into every effort to represent the red, white and blue, and they always have one of the top coaching staffs in the world supporting them all the way.
Having such strong Team USA and Junior Team USA programs helps to build a future for the sport by not only showcasing the top American-born players on an international stage, but also is needed to continue to improve against an international field that grows stronger by the day.
That's why 2016 USBC Masters champion Anthony Simonsen recently was added to the Team USA roster after his record-breaking victory in February.
The 19-year-old had earned his first bid on Junior Team USA in January at the USBC Team USA Trials, and the coaching staff knew by adding the young Texan to a men's team that already included the likes of Jones, Via, Marshall Kent and Sean Rash, not only would push Team USA to greater heights, it also would challenge the rest of the world to continue improving, too.
Like Simonsen, most of these athletes had their first opportunity to represent their country through the Junior Team USA program. Johnson, Pluhowsky, Via, Kent and Rash each spent time on the youth team before earning their spots on the adult team.
And, for those like Johnson, the first chance to feel the weight of a medal being placed around her neck and hear "The Star-Spangled Banner" shortly thereafter, had a lasting affect that continues to motivate her after four years on Junior Team USA and 12 on Team USA.
"It's almost indescribable what it felt like to compete wearing the USA on my back for the first time," said Johnson, who earned a spot on Junior Team USA for the first time in 2000. "Hearing your national anthem play on the medal stand makes your heart skip a beat."
No matter your age, you remember the pride you felt cheering for your fellow countrymen during the Olympics.
It could have been for Mark Spitz in the 1960s and 1970s, or watching the "Miracle On Ice" unfold on Lake Placid in 1980. Maybe your moment was getting to see "The Dream Team" in 1992 or Kerri Strug's gymnastics performance in 1996. Most recently, it could have been rallying around Gabby Douglas in 2012.
As a USBC member, you already help to support Team USA and Junior Team USA. That continued support hopefully will lead the sport to earning its spot in the Olympics, giving these athletes and fans the chance to share that same kind of moment on the lanes.
They also hope to bring back a little extra hardware in their carry-on luggage in the form of gold, silver and bronze medals (preferably, more gold than silver and bronze) from Noria Pro Bowling after the five-day event concludes April 26.
For these players, a lifetime of preparation and dedication goes into every effort to represent the red, white and blue, and they always have one of the top coaching staffs in the world supporting them all the way.
Having such strong Team USA and Junior Team USA programs helps to build a future for the sport by not only showcasing the top American-born players on an international stage, but also is needed to continue to improve against an international field that grows stronger by the day.
That's why 2016 USBC Masters champion Anthony Simonsen recently was added to the Team USA roster after his record-breaking victory in February.
The 19-year-old had earned his first bid on Junior Team USA in January at the USBC Team USA Trials, and the coaching staff knew by adding the young Texan to a men's team that already included the likes of Jones, Via, Marshall Kent and Sean Rash, not only would push Team USA to greater heights, it also would challenge the rest of the world to continue improving, too.
Like Simonsen, most of these athletes had their first opportunity to represent their country through the Junior Team USA program. Johnson, Pluhowsky, Via, Kent and Rash each spent time on the youth team before earning their spots on the adult team.
And, for those like Johnson, the first chance to feel the weight of a medal being placed around her neck and hear "The Star-Spangled Banner" shortly thereafter, had a lasting affect that continues to motivate her after four years on Junior Team USA and 12 on Team USA.
"It's almost indescribable what it felt like to compete wearing the USA on my back for the first time," said Johnson, who earned a spot on Junior Team USA for the first time in 2000. "Hearing your national anthem play on the medal stand makes your heart skip a beat."
No matter your age, you remember the pride you felt cheering for your fellow countrymen during the Olympics.
It could have been for Mark Spitz in the 1960s and 1970s, or watching the "Miracle On Ice" unfold on Lake Placid in 1980. Maybe your moment was getting to see "The Dream Team" in 1992 or Kerri Strug's gymnastics performance in 1996. Most recently, it could have been rallying around Gabby Douglas in 2012.
As a USBC member, you already help to support Team USA and Junior Team USA. That continued support hopefully will lead the sport to earning its spot in the Olympics, giving these athletes and fans the chance to share that same kind of moment on the lanes.