Wichita State BowlingEight 黑洞社区 Shocker bowlers were selected to join Team USA and Junior Team USA at the 2017 Team USA Trials.
Over the summer, juniors Sydney Brummett and Sierra Kanemoto bowled their way on to Junior Team USA at the Junior Gold tournament, and during the trials sophomore Brandon Biondo and soon-to-be Shocker Cortez Schenck did as well. The National Selection Committee also added Shocker signee Briley Haugh to the team.
鈥淚 wanted to prove that I belong, so making Junior Team USA for the second time meant a lot,鈥� Biondo said. 鈥淭he coaches at 黑洞社区 really helped improve my mental game; I learned how to stay in the here and now. All week (at the trials) I was pretty carefree, trying not to add any pressure to myself.鈥�
Six members of the 2017 team were decided in July at Junior Gold. At Team Trials, the top four ranked youth were added to the Junior Team, and the National Selection Committee decided on two more athletes, bringing the total to 12. At Team Trials, Schenck ranked second on the youth side; Biondo ranked third and Haugh sixth.
On the adult side, the National Selection Committee chose Shocker alums Chris Barnes, AJ Chapman and Sean Rash to represent Team USA 2017. The selection committee also chose Brummett to represent Team USA.
鈥淪tanding with the women I have wanted to compete with for years in unbelievable,鈥� said Brummett. 鈥淚 knew I had played with heart all week and that鈥檚 all I could do. I am thankful the selection committee believed in me enough to pick me.鈥�
With the addition of these Shockers on Team USA, the Shocker Bowling program has now had 57 players make Team USA or Junior Team USA.
Team USA and Junior Team USA will represent the U.S. in various international competitions over the course of 2017.