Venezuelan girls surprise favorites with win in American Zone Youth Team event
06/14/06
After their performance in Singles and Doubles, the Canadian and U.S. girls were the favorites to win the 4-player Team title in the 11th American Zone Youth Championships at Bol La Noria Pro in Puebla, Mexico.
But, to their surprise, it was the Venezuelan team (pictured) that took home the gold medal. Patricia De Faria, Joan Gonzalez, Esther Francys Alvarez and Jackeline Gerani averaged 197.79 for six games to finish 133 pins ahead of Mexico. The United States secured the bronze medal in the final game.
"Going into the last game, we had no idea we had a chance," said Kayla Bandy, a first-team All-American from Pikeville College this past season. "Then we saw Canada struggling ... we came back together and got into it. It definitely feels like gold because we left with something instead of nothing."
Canada held a 121-pin lead for third place over the United States going into the final game. That lead quickly dwindled as the Canadians struggled mightily on lanes 9 and 10 at Bol La Noria Pro and Junior Team USA filled frames on lanes 7 and 8.
Led by 205 from Byranna Caldwell and 203 from Emily Maier, who won the gold medal in Doubles, the Junior Team USA girls shot 760 in Game 6 to finish at 4,444. Canada only managed 618 - giving the bronze to the United States by 21 pins.
Competition continues Thursday and Friday with the boys and girls Masters finals.
The American Zone Championships features nine countries and nearly 100 athletes, consisting of five disciplines (Singles, Doubles, Team, All-Events and Masters). Individual totals from Singles, Doubles, and Team are combined to determine the All-Events winner. The top 12 in All-Events also advance to Masters play.
Mexico
Mexico earns silver, USA takes bronze
After their performance in Singles and Doubles, the Canadian and U.S. girls were the favorites to win the 4-player Team title in the 11th American Zone Youth Championships at Bol La Noria Pro in Puebla, Mexico.
But, to their surprise, it was the Venezuelan team (pictured) that took home the gold medal. Patricia De Faria, Joan Gonzalez, Esther Francys Alvarez and Jackeline Gerani averaged 197.79 for six games to finish 133 pins ahead of Mexico. The United States secured the bronze medal in the final game.
"Going into the last game, we had no idea we had a chance," said Kayla Bandy, a first-team All-American from Pikeville College this past season. "Then we saw Canada struggling ... we came back together and got into it. It definitely feels like gold because we left with something instead of nothing."
Canada held a 121-pin lead for third place over the United States going into the final game. That lead quickly dwindled as the Canadians struggled mightily on lanes 9 and 10 at Bol La Noria Pro and Junior Team USA filled frames on lanes 7 and 8.
Led by 205 from Byranna Caldwell and 203 from Emily Maier, who won the gold medal in Doubles, the Junior Team USA girls shot 760 in Game 6 to finish at 4,444. Canada only managed 618 - giving the bronze to the United States by 21 pins.
Competition continues Thursday and Friday with the boys and girls Masters finals.
The American Zone Championships features nine countries and nearly 100 athletes, consisting of five disciplines (Singles, Doubles, Team, All-Events and Masters). Individual totals from Singles, Doubles, and Team are combined to determine the All-Events winner. The top 12 in All-Events also advance to Masters play.
11th American Zone Youth Championships - Girls 4-Player Teams
Countries and Players with position, six-game total and average
1. Venezuela, 4747, 197.79
Patricia De Faria, 1224, 204,00/Joan Gonzalez, 1234, 205,67
Esther Francys Alvarez, 1183, 197,17/Jackeline Gerani, 1106, 184,33
2. Mexico, 4614, 192.25
Ana Isabel Gonzalez Gonzalez, 1218, 203,00/Patricia Contreras Aviles, 1197, 199,50
Daniela Alvarado Nava, 1146, 191,00/Lilia Robles Gonzalez, 1053, 175,50
3. United States, 4444, 185.17
Bryanna Caldwell, 1137, 189,50/Emily Maier, 1105, 184,17
Kayla Bandy, 1069, 178,17/Rose Brown, 1133, 188,83
4. Canada, 4423, 184.29
Felicia Wong, 1213, 202,17/Kodee Pilling, 1061, 176,83
Jennifer Besana, 1089, 181,50/Casondra Campbell, 1060, 176,67
5. Puerto Rico, 4314, 179.75
Jessica M. Santiago, 1120, 186,67/Lynda M. Martinez, 1091, 181,83
Monica M. Guzman, 1022, 170,33/Idaliz Noble, 1081, 180,17
6. El Salvador, 4113, 171.38
Edith Quintanilla, 1099, 183,17/Roxana Fajardo, 1119, 186,50
Lys Harrison, 901, 150,17/Sabrina Serrano, 994, 165,67
7. Brazil, 4054, 168.92
Roberta Rodriguez, 1034, 172,33/Stephanie Martins, 1084, 180,67
Mariana Cristina, 1000, 166,67/Nathalia Travagini, 936, 156,00
Download the game-by-game results here (pdf file)....