onefrombills
12-11-2008, 03:19 PM
Shannon O'Keefe of Arlington, Texas, admits she was more than a bit disappointed when her name wasn't on the list of players recently selected to join Team USA in 2009. Starting Tuesday, she has a shot to prove she was worthy of being picked.
O'Keefe will headline a field of some of the best amateur and professional bowlers in the country at the 2009 United States Bowling Congress Team USA Trials, which will be conducted Dec. 16-19 at Sunset Station Hotel and Casino's Strike Zone Bowling Center in Las Vegas.
"It was definitely disappointing when I didn't get picked to join the team, but I also realize there are so many talented bowlers to choose from," said O'Keefe, who has been a Team USA member since 2005. "I'm lucky that I have the chance to prove to not only myself, but everyone else, that I belong on Team USA again."
In late October, five men and five women were selected to join Team USA in 2009, and the team will be completed with the addition of five men and five women from the Team USA Trials. The top three men and top three women will earn automatic spots, while the selection committee will add two men and two women.
The five men already selected for Team USA are: Walter Ray Williams Jr., Tommy Jones, Chris Barnes, Rhino Page and Patrick Allen. Tennelle Milligan, Lynda Barnes, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Kim Terrell-Kearney and Wendy Macpherson have been named to the women's team.
O'Keefe won the 2008 Team USA Trials in January despite already securing a spot on Team USA by virtue of her performance in the 2007 Team USA Trials.
"Last time, I bowled just to keep sharp and improve on my game," O'Keefe said. "This time, it means a little more, but I don't think there is any more pressure. Pressure is self-induced and every time I bowl, I expect to compete at my highest level."
On the men's side, defending Team USA Trials champion Derek Eoff of Arlington, Texas, enters the event looking for a spot on Team USA for the third consecutive year.
"Being on Team USA is a tremendous honor," said Eoff, who won the QubicaAMF World Cup in Hermosillo, Mexico, last month. "You never know how many chances you are going to get to represent your country, so it's very important to me to earn a spot on the team again."
Participants in the Team USA Trials will compete in four nine-game blocks over four days, completing a 36-game total to determine finishing position. The competitors will take on a different USBC Sport Bowling certified lane condition each day.
O'Keefe will headline a field of some of the best amateur and professional bowlers in the country at the 2009 United States Bowling Congress Team USA Trials, which will be conducted Dec. 16-19 at Sunset Station Hotel and Casino's Strike Zone Bowling Center in Las Vegas.
"It was definitely disappointing when I didn't get picked to join the team, but I also realize there are so many talented bowlers to choose from," said O'Keefe, who has been a Team USA member since 2005. "I'm lucky that I have the chance to prove to not only myself, but everyone else, that I belong on Team USA again."
In late October, five men and five women were selected to join Team USA in 2009, and the team will be completed with the addition of five men and five women from the Team USA Trials. The top three men and top three women will earn automatic spots, while the selection committee will add two men and two women.
The five men already selected for Team USA are: Walter Ray Williams Jr., Tommy Jones, Chris Barnes, Rhino Page and Patrick Allen. Tennelle Milligan, Lynda Barnes, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Kim Terrell-Kearney and Wendy Macpherson have been named to the women's team.
O'Keefe won the 2008 Team USA Trials in January despite already securing a spot on Team USA by virtue of her performance in the 2007 Team USA Trials.
"Last time, I bowled just to keep sharp and improve on my game," O'Keefe said. "This time, it means a little more, but I don't think there is any more pressure. Pressure is self-induced and every time I bowl, I expect to compete at my highest level."
On the men's side, defending Team USA Trials champion Derek Eoff of Arlington, Texas, enters the event looking for a spot on Team USA for the third consecutive year.
"Being on Team USA is a tremendous honor," said Eoff, who won the QubicaAMF World Cup in Hermosillo, Mexico, last month. "You never know how many chances you are going to get to represent your country, so it's very important to me to earn a spot on the team again."
Participants in the Team USA Trials will compete in four nine-game blocks over four days, completing a 36-game total to determine finishing position. The competitors will take on a different USBC Sport Bowling certified lane condition each day.