O'Sullivan set for American Zone Bowling Championships By Alex Myersthe
05/27/07
As a member of Junior Team USA, bowler David O'Sullivan got a taste of what it's like to compete for his country in the 2004 World Youth Championships in Guam. At that event, O'Sullivan held his own by coming home with two medals and gaining some invaluable experience. Picture courtesy of Kevin Hazaert.
Now O'Sullivan, 23, is stepping up to bowl with the big boys as a member of the prestigious Team USA. Although the former Roosevelt High School standout is hoping for similar success, he knows this time around will have an entirely different feel.
"In the junior competition, I was more of the leader," O'Sullivan said from a team practice in Houston. "I was the one with the most experience, the most knowledge and the one to set the example. With this team, it's the exact opposite. I'm just trying to absorb as much as I can."
O'Sullivan will be making his Team USA debut under coach Jeri Edwards at the Men's American Zone Championship in Guatemala City, Guatemala, tomorrow through Friday. Approximately 20 countries located in the Western Hemisphere will compete in the event.
But while things might be altered from his international experience three years ago, it's nothing that would deter O'Sullivan. He knows this is just another part of his journey to becoming a professional bowler, and he is relishing the opportunity to knock down pins and compete with some of the finest bowlers from around the world, such as teammates Rhino Page and David Haynes.
"I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world," O'Sullivan said. "I'm hoping to use this as a steppingstone. It's really exciting to compete and make friends with these guys."
It's already been an exciting year for O'Sullivan, who automatically qualified for the team through 2008 when he won the national amateur men's championship at the United States Bowling Congress Team USA Trials in Reno, Nev., back in January. He also recently wrapped up an All-America career at Morehead State University in Kentucky and is just six weeks away from finishing an internship where he now resides in Orlando, Fla., that will complete his undergraduate degree in sports management.
But for now, all the focus is on bowling and trying to keep alive the national team's tradition of excellence. Since the American Zone Championships were first held in 1961, Team USA has dominated by winning 160 medals between the men and women. Mexico has won the next most medals in that time with 88.
"I set my goals really high and I'm just going to bowl like I know I can," O'Sullivan said. "I'm glad to have this opportunity."
United States
Republished courtesy of Journal News (May 26, 2007)
As a member of Junior Team USA, bowler David O'Sullivan got a taste of what it's like to compete for his country in the 2004 World Youth Championships in Guam. At that event, O'Sullivan held his own by coming home with two medals and gaining some invaluable experience. Picture courtesy of Kevin Hazaert. Now O'Sullivan, 23, is stepping up to bowl with the big boys as a member of the prestigious Team USA. Although the former Roosevelt High School standout is hoping for similar success, he knows this time around will have an entirely different feel.
"In the junior competition, I was more of the leader," O'Sullivan said from a team practice in Houston. "I was the one with the most experience, the most knowledge and the one to set the example. With this team, it's the exact opposite. I'm just trying to absorb as much as I can."
O'Sullivan will be making his Team USA debut under coach Jeri Edwards at the Men's American Zone Championship in Guatemala City, Guatemala, tomorrow through Friday. Approximately 20 countries located in the Western Hemisphere will compete in the event.
But while things might be altered from his international experience three years ago, it's nothing that would deter O'Sullivan. He knows this is just another part of his journey to becoming a professional bowler, and he is relishing the opportunity to knock down pins and compete with some of the finest bowlers from around the world, such as teammates Rhino Page and David Haynes.
"I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world," O'Sullivan said. "I'm hoping to use this as a steppingstone. It's really exciting to compete and make friends with these guys."
It's already been an exciting year for O'Sullivan, who automatically qualified for the team through 2008 when he won the national amateur men's championship at the United States Bowling Congress Team USA Trials in Reno, Nev., back in January. He also recently wrapped up an All-America career at Morehead State University in Kentucky and is just six weeks away from finishing an internship where he now resides in Orlando, Fla., that will complete his undergraduate degree in sports management.
But for now, all the focus is on bowling and trying to keep alive the national team's tradition of excellence. Since the American Zone Championships were first held in 1961, Team USA has dominated by winning 160 medals between the men and women. Mexico has won the next most medals in that time with 88.
"I set my goals really high and I'm just going to bowl like I know I can," O'Sullivan said. "I'm glad to have this opportunity."