Nation prepared to be tested in Major Events

Over the next few weeks, Team USA's Stefanie Nation feels like she has the opportunity to put her bowling career on the fast track to superstardom.

With two major events on the horizon - the U.S. Women's Open presented by the United States Bowling Congress and the World Tenpin Bowling Association Women's World Championships - Nation will have an opportunity to shine.

"There is no doubt I have accomplished a lot in my years as a youth bowler, but I feel these two upcoming events could help me breakthrough as one of the top female bowlers in our country," said Nation, who won U.S. Junior Amateur titles in 2003, 2004 and 2005. "Even though there might be those out there who believe I have an impressive resume, I feel that I am just beginning. I have come into my own over the past few years, and I intend only to get better and better and continue to add to my list of accomplishments."

Nation, who has been a member of Team USA since 2005 and was the national collegiate player of the year while at the University of Central Florida in 2005-06, will have to beat some of the game's greatest female players at both events if she hopes to break through.

The U.S. Women's Open, which takes place Aug. 13-18 at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., will feature a strong field of not only fellow Team USA members, but former Professional Women's Bowling Association stars.

Shortly after that event concludes, Nation, along with five other Team USA members, heads to Monterrey, Mexico, from Sept. 1-8 for the Women's World Championships, which will bring together the top bowlers from nearly 60 countries.

Nation will be joined in Mexico by Diandra Asbaty of Chicago; Lynda Barnes of Double Oak, Texas; Shannon Pluhowsky of Phoenix; Shannon O'Keefe of Rochester, N.Y.; and Tennelle Milligan of Costa Mesa, Calif., all of whom are scheduled to also compete in the U.S. Women's Open.

"The U.S. Women's Open will absolutely serve as a great tune-up in preparation for Mexico," Nation said. "The opportunity to have our entire team together for a week of competitive bowling before the big event will not only open up the lines of communication on the lanes, but it will continue to build our camaraderie off the lanes."

The U.S. Women's Open has an entry fee of $250 and is open to any female USBC member. The event will feature a guaranteed prize fund of $150,000, including $25,000 to the winner.

The players who advance to the top 16 are guaranteed at least $3,000 and will take part in a bracket-elimination format to be aired on ESPN on Sept. 16, 23, 30 and Oct. 7. The final four competitors will return to Reno for a live televised championship round on Oct. 14.

Competitors in the U.S. Women's Open also will have the option of paying an additional $750 entry fee to have a shot at 16 spots available in the PBA Women's Series, which will feature four events with a total prize fund of $50,000 for each event, including a top prize of $10,000 and last cash of $1,800.

The championship match of all four PBA Women's Series events will be televised as part of the ESPN telecasts for the four Denny's PBA Tour events in which women's events will run concurrently.