ARLINGTON, Texas - A group of 13 of the country's top bowlers will lead Team USA into international competition in 2010 as part of the team's roster was announced Wednesday.

A selection committee of United States Bowling Congress and Professional Bowlers Association representatives picked seven men and six women to join Team USA.

Walter Ray Williams Jr., Chris Barnes, Wes Malott, Tommy Jones, Patrick Allen, Rhino Page and Bill O'Neill were selected for the men's team. On the women's side, Stefanie Nation, Shannon O'Keefe, Shannon Pluhowsky, Liz Johnson, Kelly Kulick and Carolyn Dorin-Ballard were the selections.

"We are very fortunate that we had such a talented pool of players to choose from," said Rod Ross, who takes over as Team USA head coach in 2010 in addition to his role as head coach of the International Training and Research Center. "It is extremely difficult for the committee to make these types of decisions, but I feel we have put together a great nucleus of players who will continue to lead Team USA to success next year and in the future.

Ross said the selection committee elected to go with seven men as the team gears up for the 2010 World Tenpin Bowling Association World Men's Championships next August in Munich, Germany. Barnes, Jones, Allen, Page and Williams were part of the team that led Team USA to four of six gold medals at the 2008 World Men's Championships. The committee plans to select six men and seven women for 2011 as the women enter a World Championships year.

All but one of the players selected were members of Team USA in 2009 with the lone exception being Kulick, who has been on the team five times in the past.

Two women picked the past two years elected not to submit their names for consideration this year. Lynda Barnes, a 12-time Team USA, member recently announced her retirement from the team, while Kim Terrell-Kearney has decided to focus her attention on her role as assistant head coach at the International Training and Research Center.

To be considered for selection to 2010 Team USA, men were required to be exempt players on the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour, while the women must have been on Team USA at least once since 1999 and/or former Professional Women's Bowling Association/Ladies Professional Bowlers Tour members.

The selections only represent a portion of the final roster of 2010 Team USA players. All USBC members will have a chance to join the team by competing in the 2010 USBC Team USA Trials, scheduled for Dec. 14-18, 2009 at Sunset Station Hotel and Casino's Strike Zone Bowling Center in Las Vegas.

The top three men and top three women finishers at the Team USA Trials will earn automatic spots on Team USA, while the National Selection Committee will pick two additional men and two additional women to join the team.

Team USA will represent the United States in several international events throughout 2010, including the World Men's Championships, the Pan American Bowling Confederation Women's Championships and the QubicaAMF World Cup.