Bjorklund gets invite to national U18 tryouts

University High basketball player Angie Bjorklund has accepted an invitation to try out for USA Basketball’s U-18 team.

She will be one of approximately 30 United States hopefuls participating in the tryouts, June 16-19 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

A team of 12 will be chosen to host the 2006 FIBA Americas U18 championships. Teams from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Paraguay and Puerto Rico will also participate in the tourney, June 28-July 2 at the USOTC.

The team will be coached by Doug Bruno from DePaul University, assisted by Carol Owens from Northern Illinois University and Jennifer Rizzotti from the University of Hartford.

“I kinda knew I had a chance to be invited,” Bjorklund said. “When (Titans coach Mark) Stinson gave me the letter I was so excited, I called right away.”

The top four finishing teams will qualify berths for the 2007 FIBA Women’s U19 World Championship in Europe.

Bjorklund admitted she’s a little nervous after reading that players can be cut after two scrimmages.

“It’s just an honor to be invited to the tryout,” she said.

Bjorklund, a junior at U-Hi, has already been named to two national media All-America prep teams as well as being selected Washington’s Gatorade Player of the Year.