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Clara Guerrero's Journey To The Top Of Bowling World

Updated: Friday, June 22 2012, 03:09 AM CDT
On a bowling lane, just sixty feet separate the foul line and head pin.  But Clara Guerrero's journey is much longer than that.

Raised in a small town in Colombia, Guerrero first picked up a bowling ball at the age of nine.  Three years later, she was a youth national champion.  And while her native country boasts a proud bowling tradition, she knew a move to the United States would put her in the fast lane to stardom.

"My parents had to sell their house and cars and stuff for them to be able to afford me here in the states," said Guerrero.

After leading Wichita State, the most accomplished collegiate bowling program in America, to a national title in 2005, Guerrero turned pro two years later and moved to Austin. It is fitting that she chose the "Live Music Capital of the World", because Guerrero's got some heavy metal on display.

"I definitely want to win," said Guerrero.  "I'm a competitor and in some sense a perfectionist when I'm bowling."

A two-time world champion and two-time winner of the European Masters, Guerrero was inducted into the World Bowling Writers Hall of Fame in 2010.

"It still shocks me sometimes when I look at my accomplishments," said Guerrero.  "It's still amazing for me."

This weekend, Guerrero is in Reno for the U.S. Women's Open, one of two majors in pro bowling.  She's competed in the event in the past, even finishing as high as fourth.  But this year's U.S. Open will be Guerrero's first as a U.S. citizen.

"It took four years," said Guerrero.  "It was a lot more touching than I thought.  I'm really proud of it."

A long way from her bowling center in Armenia, Colombia, Guerrero has already achieved the American dream. A U.S. Open title would be right up her alley.Clara Guerrero's Journey To The Top Of Bowling World