Star-studded group selected to join Team USA in 2011
November 04, 2010
ARLINGTON, Texas - The Team USA roster for 2011 began to take shape as the United States Bowling Congress announced the selection of seven women and six men to join the elite squad.
Gearing up for the 2011 World Tenpin Bowling Association World Women's Championships in Hong Kong, the national selection committee picked Kelly Kulick (left), Liz Johnson, Shannon Pluhowsky, Tennelle Milligan, Shannon O'Keefe, Stefanie Nation and Carolyn Dorin-Ballard.
On the men's side, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Chris Barnes, Wes Malott, Bill O'Neill, Patrick Allen and Tommy Jones were the selections.
"All the players selected have proven themselves not only on the lanes but off the lanes as being worthy of being selected for Team USA," said Rod Ross, Team USA head coach. "Next year is a big year for Team USA with the Pan American Games and World Women's Championships and these selections build a foundation as we work toward those events."
USBC Managing Director for National Governing Body Neil Stremmel, who serves as the chairman for the national selection committee, said he was impressed by the pool of athletes who put their names forward for consideration.
"We appreciate all of the very talented players who submitted their resumes for consideration to be selected," Stremmel said. "It is always very difficult to make selections like this, and we feel like we've put together a good group of talented players for some very important events in 2011."
To be considered at this stage for selection to 2011 Team USA, men were required to be exempt players on the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour, while the women must have been former Professional Women's Bowling Association/Ladies Professional Bowlers Tour members. Players who were on Team USA at least once since 2000 were also eligible for consideration.
The selections only represent a portion of the final roster of 2011 Team USA players. All USBC members will have a chance to join the team by competing in the 2011 USBC Team USA Trials, scheduled for Jan. 3-7 at Sunset Station Hotel and Casino's Strike Zone Bowling Center in suburban 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 from the field to join the team.
Team USA will represent the United States in several international events throughout 2011, including the Pan American Games, the World Women's Championships, the Pan American Bowling Confederation Men's Championships and the QubicaAMF World Cup.
Gearing up for the 2011 World Tenpin Bowling Association World Women's Championships in Hong Kong, the national selection committee picked Kelly Kulick (left), Liz Johnson, Shannon Pluhowsky, Tennelle Milligan, Shannon O'Keefe, Stefanie Nation and Carolyn Dorin-Ballard.On the men's side, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Chris Barnes, Wes Malott, Bill O'Neill, Patrick Allen and Tommy Jones were the selections.
"All the players selected have proven themselves not only on the lanes but off the lanes as being worthy of being selected for Team USA," said Rod Ross, Team USA head coach. "Next year is a big year for Team USA with the Pan American Games and World Women's Championships and these selections build a foundation as we work toward those events."
USBC Managing Director for National Governing Body Neil Stremmel, who serves as the chairman for the national selection committee, said he was impressed by the pool of athletes who put their names forward for consideration.
"We appreciate all of the very talented players who submitted their resumes for consideration to be selected," Stremmel said. "It is always very difficult to make selections like this, and we feel like we've put together a good group of talented players for some very important events in 2011."
To be considered at this stage for selection to 2011 Team USA, men were required to be exempt players on the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour, while the women must have been former Professional Women's Bowling Association/Ladies Professional Bowlers Tour members. Players who were on Team USA at least once since 2000 were also eligible for consideration.
The selections only represent a portion of the final roster of 2011 Team USA players. All USBC members will have a chance to join the team by competing in the 2011 USBC Team USA Trials, scheduled for Jan. 3-7 at Sunset Station Hotel and Casino's Strike Zone Bowling Center in suburban 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 from the field to join the team.
Team USA will represent the United States in several international events throughout 2011, including the Pan American Games, the World Women's Championships, the Pan American Bowling Confederation Men's Championships and the QubicaAMF World Cup.