July 13, 2009
(Editor’s Note: Brittni Hamilton is a Vanderbilt sophomore and last week won a Gold Medal bowling for Junior Team USA at the Pan American Bowling Federation in Bogota, Colombia.)
BOGOTA, Colombia—On Friday we bowled the last three games of the team event. Coming into the day we were in the lead over the other countries. We bowled three solid games and came home with yet another Gold medal!! We finished about 150 pins ahead of Canada who won the Silver medal, while Colombia won the Bronze medal.
Friday was also the conclusion of the all-events games. After all 24 games Christine took home the Gold for all-events while Kristie won the silver medal. I finished fifth for all events and Jenn finished right behind me.
As for the guys, it was very close the whole day. Four teams were within about 60 pins of each other throughout the three games and they won the Silver Medal. Jake Peters won the Silver medal in all-events.
After both teams where done bowling Friday we went back to our hotel. Most of us went to a restaurant next door to get a quick bite to eat. I got a Banana Nutella Quesadilla. It was extremely good, to my surprise. There was fried banana and chocolate Nutella in a quesadilla. It is something that you probably would not find in the U.S but I would get it again.
Saturday was the day of the Masters. The top 16 boys and top 16 girls in the all events standings got to bowl match play to determine the Masters winner. This was a typical 16 person bracket. All eight Jr. Team USA members made it to the Masters match play, which is a huge accomplishment as most countries are lucky to have one person make the Masters.
Early in the morning we all had to bowl our first match. Each match was a best 2 of 3 games. I had to bowl a girl from Canada. I won that match 2-0. All the other Team USA girls, as well as the guys, won their first match. Unfortunately Kristie and me had to bowl each other in the quarter finals. Kristie had a very good look on the lane pattern and ended up beating me 2-1. Although I never like to lose, I was still happy that my teammate was moving on. Christine also won her match; Jenn on the other hand sadly lost her match to a girl from Colombia.
As for the boys, Chris and Jake had to face each other in the quarter finals as well. Jake ended up winning the match, Danny and Geoffry both won their matches and moved onto the semifinals. In the semis, Kristie and Christine won their matches which then meant that no matter what, Team USA members would win Silver and Gold medals. Danny beat Geoffry and Jake won his match. This meant that USA guys would also for sure win Silver and Gold medals. This was the first time ever that one country had four members in the final matches. This was an amazing feeling knowing that no matter what it was a Team USA sweep. When the matches were completed Kristie and Jake came out on top.
For the girls this was a Gold medal sweep in every event for the whole week. This accomplishment leaves me speechless. I can’t think of words to explain how happy and excited I am to be apart of a team that bowled so well together. It was an absolutely amazing week!
The week is now over and we have to leave Colombia in just a few hours. This was a week that I will never forget. Coming home with Gold medals is something that I have only dreamed of doing. It was such an honor to be able to represent my country. Competing in the competitions with USA on my back is a feeling that not many people get to experience. I am so proud of my teammates and all that we have accomplished this week!
What team is this? USA! I SAID WHAT TEAM IS THIS?! USA!!!!