Jan. 5, 2011
HENDERSON, Nev. — Vanderbilt’s representatives at the 2011 USBC Team Trials started strong Tuesday in the first day of the week-long tournament.
Brittni Hamilton was in second place in the elite field of 73 women that includes competitors from high school to the professional ranks. The junior NCAA All-American had an average of 219.67 to trail only veteran Diandra Asbaty of Chicago, who averaged 225.
Hamilton has long been a contender on the national and even international level, winning last summer’s Junior Gold title and taking a Silver Medal at the World Youth Championship in two of her most recent major outings.
Vanderbilt sophomore Jessica Earnest also came out of the blocks quickly. She is in eighth place after averaging 210 and, significantly, she was among the top two bowlers under age 20, which could put her in line for a spot on the Junior Team USA if that placing continues.
Jessica’s older sister Josie, now an assistant coach at Vanderbilt, found herself 23rd with a 201.67 average while sophomore Kim Carper was at 63rd after checking in at 175.89.
Competition continues Wednesday with the second of four nine-game blocks. The top three men and top three women finishers after 36 games 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.
The top two male and top two female competitors who are 20 years old or younger before Jan. 1, 2011 will earn automatic spots on Junior Team USA 2011. The National Selection Committee will select two additional boys and two additional girls to join the team. The National Selection Committee will select from players who either competed in the Team USA Trials or who advanced to the match-play portion of the USBC Junior Gold Championships, which were held in July in Indianapolis.
Complete results and live streaming are found on bowl.com.