Hometown: Upland, Calif. Birth date: Sept. 15, 1987 Right/left handed: Right Highest certified game: 300 (14) Highest certified series: 869 Junior Team USA Appearances: 2006
What are you most looking forward to this year on Junior Team USA? Being able to learn more about the game and wear U-S-A on my back when competing.
What do you credit in achieving a spot on Junior Team USA this year? My dedication to my spare game and the help I have received from Joe Staton. He made me realize what it took to get to this level.
What advice do you have for other young bowlers who want to get to the level you are at? Don’t ever give up. Always give 100%, even if you are out of the running. You can learn something from every tournament you bowl, win or lose.
What are you most looking forward to this year on Junior Team USA? Being able to represent Junior Team USA in competition and receiving the best coaching.
What do you credit in achieving a spot on Junior Team USA this year? The coaching and times my dad took me bowling while I was younger. He suffered a stroke in 1999 during quadruple bypass surgery. Everything I accomplish in bowling is dedicated to him. Also, the previous Junior Gold nationals since I gained experience each year I have been bowling Junior Gold.
What advice do you have for other young bowlers who want to get to the level you are at? Practice when you have the opportunity. Work on your spares and never give up and just have fun bowling.
Hometown: Sioux Falls, S.D. Birth date: Nov. 22, 1984 Right/left handed: Right Highest certified game: 299 Highest certified series: 771 Junior Team USA Appearances: 2006
What are you most looking forward to this year on Junior Team USA? I am looking forward to being part of something very unique and special. I can’t wait to travel the world and compete against some of the greatest youth bowlers worldwide.
What do you credit in achieving a spot on Junior Team USA this year? I credit my coaches for giving me the knowledge to compete at this level. Most of all, however, I credit my parents for helping me get to where I am now.
What advice do you have for other young bowlers who want to get to the level you are at? Pick up your spares and stay out of trouble. Strikes are not what you need to compete in Sport Bowling, but spares are very important.
Hometown: Louisville, Ky. Birth date: July 25, 1986 Right/left handed: Right Highest certified game: 300 (3) Highest certified series: 806 Junior Team USA Appearances: 2006
What are you most looking forward to this year on Junior Team USA? I am looking forward to going to training camp in Colorado and meeting my teammates, getting to know them and forming a bond. Bowling for Lindenwood University has made me realize how important it is to form a bond with your teammates. We are going to need that bond if we want to successfully represent our country.
What do you credit in achieving a spot on Junior Team USA this year? All of my credit goes to my parents. My father has been my coach all my life, and I credit him for my success on the lanes. My mother has always been there, cheering me on and being a sort of “buffer” between me and my father when we didn’t exactly see eye-to-eye on decisions regarding bowling.
What advice do you have for other young bowlers who want to get to the level you are at? There are a lot of things that young bowlers can do to reach this level, but first and foremost is practice. Reaching this level takes a certain amount of time and dedication to the game that young bowlers can achieve at an early age, and carry it with them throughout their careers.
Hometown: Clovis, Calif. Birth date: May 30, 1985 Right/left handed: Right Highest certified game: 300 (28) Highest certified series: 856 Junior Team USA Appearances: 2004, 2005, 2006
What are you most looking forward to this year on Junior Team USA? I’m looking forward to competing in the World Youth Championships in Germany. This will be an amazing experience to say the least and I am really excited to wear the Red, White and Blue on my back.
What do you credit in achieving a spot on Junior Team USA this year? By achieving a spot on this year’s team, it means all the hard work, dedication and time I put in has paid off. I practice a lot and work on everything I can when practicing and it is nice to see success after all those long hours at the bowling center. It requires a lot of focus and determination to make this team and I am fortunate enough to be on it.
What advice do you have for other young bowlers who want to get to the level you are at? Practice spares! At Junior Gold, spares are the most important aspect of the tournament. I didn’t make the team 3 years in a row by striking 9 times per game, I made it by making my spares and filling frames. The lane conditions are always very challenging and require a lot of accuracy and repetition, so by making your spares, it makes it easier.
Hometown: Stevensville, Mich. Birth date: April 22, 1983 Right/left handed: Right Highest certified game: 300 (3) Highest certified series: 798 Junior Team USA Appearances: 2006
What are you most looking forward to this year on Junior Team USA? I am looking forward to meeting new people, seeing new places and experiencing the coaching that will bring me to the next level and help benefit the team I am on.
What do you credit in achieving a spot on Junior Team USA this year? Lots of hard work, great coaching and a level attitude – being able to take the breaks as the come and go.
What advice do you have for other young bowlers who want to get to the level you are at? Listen to your coaches; they are there to help you. Practicing your spares is another key factor of Sport Bowling. We all know how and like to throw strikes, but many times winning or losing a game will come down to a single-pin spare.
Hometown: Aiea, Hawaii Birth date: Feb. 24, 1983 Right/left handed: Right Highest certified game: 300 (5) Highest certified series: 836 Junior Team USA Appearances: 2003, 2006
What are you most looking forward to this year on Junior Team USA? The fun of being on the team and getting to visit new places. I’m also looking forward to getting to know my teammates and coaches.
What do you credit in achieving a spot on Junior Team USA this year? Knowing that dreams can come true. If you want something bad enough, dedication and hard work will pay off in the long run. Even when times are rough, goals still can be achieved. I really appreciate my family’s support, cause without it none of this could be possible.
What advice do you have for other young bowlers who want to get to the level you are at? Listen to the people who are helping you. They can see things that you may not see or understand. For a lot of young bowlers, strikes are not the key, but spares are – they always keep you in the game (I’ve learned that the hard way many times). Learn from your mistakes as they can guide you to something victorious. Most importantly have fun, relax and try your best doing something you love, otherwise you wouldn’t be doing it.
Hometown: South Amboy, N.J. Birth date: July 25, 1986 Right/left handed: Right Highest certified game: 300 (4) Highest certified series: 805 Junior Team USA Appearances: 2006
What are you most looking forward to this year on Junior Team USA? I am most looking forward to the expert coaching of Junior Team USA coaches Rod Ross, Theresa Ross, Kim Terrell and Kendra Gaines at training camp in Colorado. I consider myself a student of the game and always strive for more knowledge.
What do you credit in achieving a spot on Junior Team USA this year? My coach Dave Knight Sr. and the long practice sessions at Joe’s ProShop at Center Lanes in Philadelphia are the main reasons for making Junior Team USA last July. He has helped my physical game significantly along with allowing me to achieve perfection in my mental state. My mom, Rose, is my biggest supporter, even when she can’t be at my tournaments. She has been my biggest fan in everything I do.
What advice do you have for other young bowlers who want to get to the level you are at? The best advice I have ever received is to focus 100 percent on every shot you ever throw -- whether it is cosmic bowling with friends or in a tournament and you are several pins away from the cut score. Give every shot your absolute best effort.
Hometown: Pittsford, N.Y. Birth date: Oct. 24, 1986 Right/left handed: Left Highest certified game: 300 (3) Highest certified series: 790 Junior Team USA Appearances: 2006
What are you most looking forward to this year on Junior Team USA? I am looking forward to going out to Colorado Springs for training camp with the best coaches around. Also, I can’t wait to become friends with my new teammates.
What do you credit in achieving a spot on Junior Team USA this year? I credit having picked my spares I left and keeping my head in the game on every shot and not getting down on myself as well as my ability to adjust to the lanes.
What advice do you have for other young bowlers who want to get to the level you are at? Never give up, practice like you are in a tournament, pick your spares and gain as much experience as one can.
Hometown: Danville, Va. Birth date: July 16, 1986 Right/left handed: Right Highest certified game: 300 (1) Highest certified series: 725 Junior Team USA Appearances: 2005, 2006
What are you most looking forward to this year on Junior Team USA? I’m so excited about this year’s team. Almost all of the girls from last year are back and we get to work together again. I sort of know what to look forward to this time around and I can’t wait!
What do you credit in achieving a spot on Junior Team USA this year? Lots of practice and the coaching I received from being on Junior Team USA last year. Rod Ross, Teresa Ross, Kim Terrell, Kendra Gaines, Dr. Dean Hinitz and the rest of the coaching staff (including Team USA head coach Jeri Edwards) are amazing – they taught me a lot about my physical game as well as my mental game.
What advice do you have for other young bowlers who want to get to the level you are at? Practice hard! If you think you can, you will. Never doubt yourself and as Dr. Dean would say, “always be all in.”
Hometown: Modesto, Calif. Birth date: April 12, 1989 Right/left handed: Right Highest certified game: 300 (2) Highest certified series: 790 Junior Team USA Appearances: 2006
What are you most looking forward to this year on Junior Team USA? I am looking forward to traveling out of the country to represent the United States of America.
What do you credit in achieving a spot on Junior Team USA this year? I credit my hard work and determination, but mostly I credit my mother for all she has taught me in bowling.
What advice do you have for other young bowlers who want to get to the level you are at? Hard work and determination will get you where you want to go, but always remember to have fun and practice with a purpose.
Hometown: Newport, Minn. Birth date: Sept. 27, 1984 Right/left handed: Right Highest certified game: 300 (3) Highest certified series: 790 Team USA Appearances: 2004, 2005, 2006 Junior Team USA Appearances: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
What are you most looking forward to this year on Junior Team USA? Training camp, because every year is something new and it is always a great experience. You make a lot of friends and it seems like you become a big family.
What do you credit in achieving a spot on Junior Team USA this year? I credit my hard work and practice everyday because without practice you won’t be very good. Spare shooting at the Junior Gold tournament is critical, if you don’t make spares you won’t make Junior Team USA. Spare shooting takes a lot of practice, so practice is key to being a good bowler.
What advice do you have for other young bowlers who want to get to the level you are at? Find a good coach who will help you learn more about the game – helping you with new releases and playing different parts of the lane. Having more than one release is very important because you won’t find the same condition at tournaments. Being versatile is what makes the great bowlers today. Finding a coach who knows these things will make you a better bowler.
Hometown: Tucson, Ariz. Birth date: April 2, 1986 Right/left handed: Right Highest certified game: 300 (1) Highest certified series: 771 Junior Team USA Appearances: 2006
What are you most looking forward to this year on Junior Team USA? Bowling in Mexico. This will be my first experience bowling internationally and I can’t wait to see how it all plays out.
What do you credit in achieving a spot on Junior Team USA this year? I credit so many things. First of all, my family for supporting me throughout the years in bowling, my JBT director Jeff Hemer for giving me the opportunity to bowl competitively, and myself for sticking with it even when times get rough.
What advice do you have for other young bowlers who want to get to the level you are at? Practice, practice, practice! No matter how hard things get you need to stick with it because in the long run it will be beneficial.
Hometown: Ephrata, Pa. Birth date: Jan. 27, 1985 Right/left handed: Right Highest certified game: 300 (2) Highest certified series: 824 Junior Team USA Appearances: 2005, 2006
What are you most looking forward to this year on Junior Team USA? I’m looking forward to getting to know the new team members at training camp. I can’t wait to do it all over again!
What do you credit in achieving a spot on Junior Team USA this year? I give my parents a lot of credit because they are always there for me at every tournament I bowl – telling me I have what it takes to be on Junior Team USA. They were behind me every game, encouraging me and cheering me on and giving me all the confidence I needed. If it weren’t for their support they gave me, I’m really not sure if I’d be a member of Junior Team USA.
What advice do you have for other young bowlers who want to get to the level you are at? Keep practicing, never stop learning about the game, set goals for yourself and don’t give up on yourself. I’ve been doing that since my first Junior Gold in 2001. I have achieved the goals I set for myself before the tournament.
Hometown: Garland, Texas Birth date: May 21, 1984 Right/left handed: Right Highest certified game: 300 (4) Highest certified series: 822 Junior Team USA Appearances: 2006
What are you most looking forward to this year on Junior Team USA? I’m most looking forward to competing at an international level and representing my country.
What do you credit in achieving a spot on Junior Team USA this year? All of the hard work and practice over the past year. Just missing out on match play by four pins at Junior Gold in 2004 made me realize if I practiced hard enough and set my mind to it, I could make the team.
What advice do you have for other young bowlers who want to get to the level you are at? No matter what anyone says, never give up. And always remember to have fun!
Hometown: Winter Haven, Fla. Birth date: Sept. 13, 1985 Right/left handed: Left Highest certified game: 300 (3) Highest certified series: 802 Team USA Appearances: 2006 Junior Team USA Appearances: 2005, 2006
What are you most looking forward to this year on Junior Team USA? The opportunities and memories we will have traveling this year while representing our country in every way possible. Also, growing and spending time together while being the incredible team that we are.
What do you credit in achieving a spot on Junior Team USA this year? The help and support of my family, coaches, Kegel and everyone who has ever believed in me. Being a part of Junior Team USA last year was the most amazing feeling. It’s an experience I never want to miss again.
What advice do you have for other young bowlers who want to get to the level you are at? Practice not only your physical game, but also your mental game. Make goals you can achieve in competition and in practice. Always remember the reason you bowl because of your passion and love for the game. Always follow your heart.
Hometown: Sparks, Nev. Birth date: Sept. 30, 1986 Right/left handed: Right Highest certified game: 289 Highest certified series: 755 Junior Team USA Appearances: 2006
What are you most looking forward to this year on Junior Team USA? The opportunity to bowl and represent the United States.
What do you credit in achieving a spot on Junior Team USA this year? My parents for their ongoing support, my coaches for their wonderful guidance, and myself for the all the hard work I’ve put into my game in recent years.
What advice do you have for other young bowlers who want to get to the level you are at? Seek out a good coach, remember that spares are most important and never stop believing in yourself!
Hometown: Miami Birth date: Jan. 11, 1984 Right/left handed: Right Highest certified game: 300 (2) Highest certified series: 791 Team USA Appearances: 2005, 2006 Junior Team USA Appearances: 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006
What are you most looking forward to this year on Junior Team USA? I am most looking forward to history repeating itself and our team bringing home lots and lots of medals again!
What do you credit in achieving a spot on Junior Team USA this year? I couldn’t have done it without the support of my coach Pat Costello and my parents. They’ve been there through thick and thin and have really helped me mature as a person and athlete.
What advice do you have for other young bowlers who want to get to the level you are at? Believe in yourself! If you don’t, who will? Don’t leave it up to anyone but you. Keep practicing and good things will happen.
Hometown: Roseville, Calif. Birth date: Dec. 21, 1984 Right/left handed: Right Highest certified game: 300 (1) Highest certified series: 773 Junior Team USA Appearances: 2005, 2006
What are you most looking forward to this year on Junior Team USA? Gaining more experience. I learned so much last year and I know I am going to learn so much more this year. The experiences on Junior Team USA make my game stronger.
What do you credit in achieving a spot on Junior Team USA this year? Practice! I have worked hard with my collegiate coach, Glenn Carlson, to work on my weaknesses. My experiences at Fresno State and Junior Team USA created strong tools I can use in competition.
What advice do you have for other young bowlers who want to get to the level you are at? Practice and make sure that you are always challenging yourself to be better. There always is an area of your game that needs improvement. Use your experiences – good and bad – to create a stronger mental and physical game.
Hometown: West Columbia, S.C. Birth date: Dec. 3, 1985 Right/left handed: Right Highest certified game: 300 (3) Highest certified series: 766 Team USA Appearances: 2003 Junior Team USA Appearances: 2006
What are you most looking forward to this year on Junior Team USA? Traveling and representing my country the best I can.
What do you credit in achieving a spot on Junior Team USA this year? I have come close to making Junior Team USA the past couple of years. This year, I just practiced hard and worked on my physical and mental game so I could make the team and it paid off.
What advice do you have for other young bowlers who want to get to the level you are at? The obvious answer would be to practice, practice and practice. Practice not only your physical game, but also practice your mental game. The mental game is just, if not more, important than your physical game.
