(LEBANON, Ill., Jan. 9)—McKendree University freshman bowler A.J. Johnson (Oswego, Ill./Oswego) has enjoyed a particularly good start to the new year.
 
Johnson bowled his way onto Team USA for the coming year, thanks to a third-place finish at the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Team USA Trials in North Las Vegas, Nev. The top three men and top three women in the final standings earned automatic spots on Team USA for 2012.
 
“This is a great thing for A.J. and for McKendree University,” said McKendree head bowling coach Steven Michelfelder. “He was emotionally and physically at the top of his game during the entire tournament. He is one of the hardest-working athletes in our program and this is an enormous award for his efforts. In the next year, he will have a chance to train at the Olympic Training Center, travel to various events and spend time with some of the best bowlers in the world, all while representing the USA.”
 
In addition to making the Team USA roster, Johnson also qualified to be a member of the Junior Team USA. The Team USA Junior squad is open to individuals 20 or younger whose birthday just be on or after January 2, 1991.
 
Consistency was the key for Johnson throughout the four-day qualifying event. After finishing the first day in 11^th place, Johnson sat in the top three in each of the last three rounds. In fact, he was the third-round leader after Thursday's action. Johnson wrapped up 28 games with a pinfall of 6,161 to average 220.03 for the week. There were a total of 225 bowlers that competed in the Team USA Trials, with 145 men and 80 women.
 
“This has been my dream and goal since of mine since I was a little kid,” said Johnson. “To have it happen is surreal – it's really left me speechless. All the time and energy I have put into bowling and practice seems to have paid off. This has been incredible and I'm looking forward to representing my country. Having the letters USA on my back anywhere I go is the greatest feeling you could have in this sport.”
 
Johnson indicated that he would begin training with Team USA – for both the men's squad and the Junior team – in May down in Arlington, Texas. Johnson is one of 20 members on both Team USA and Junior Team USA. He joins several notables on Team USA who have made their mark in the professional ranks, including Patrick Allen, Chris Barnes, Liz Johnson and Kelly Kulick.
 
McKendree will open the second half of its 2011-12 season Jan. 14-15 at the Eagle NAIA Baker Challenge in West Chicago, Ill.