The first event of the 2020 Storm Youth Championships was held Feb. 15-17 at South Point Bowling Plaza in Las Vegas. With all that has happened with urethane balls and the USBC tests over the last 10 days, I am trying to play catch up with a variety of things. So I'm just offering Storm's news release on the event.
By STORM PRODUCTS
BRIGHAM CITY, Utah — The first event of the 2020 SYC Tour was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, February 15-17, 2020. A total of 210 youth bowlers from 25 different states traveled to compete at the South Point Bowling Plaza. Youth bowlers competed in three five-game rounds on three different Kegel patterns in six different divisions determined by gender and age (U20 Boys, U20 Girls, U15 Boys, U15 Girls, U12 Boys, U12 Girls) for a national title and a portion of the $17,850 scholarship fund.
“While the Storm Youth Championships awards talented champions, the event is a truly a collection of moments spent with family and friends building memories and raising funds for a worthy charity,” Gary Hulsenberg, Vice President of Business Development at Storm Products said. “The weekend is about spending time together, learning, and having fun throughout the competition.”
The format of the SYC rewards consistency and the overall champions are decided based on the 15 game total pinfall. After two days of competition, six smiling youth athletes are proud to claim their SYC trophies.
The U12 division at the SYC is filled with athletes bursting with energy, excitement, and enthusiasm for the sport. Brianna Archabal, of Idaho, found her SYC entry wrapped up under her Christmas tree from her parents. She promised them that she would practice and prepare for this event. She has been practicing between 20-25 games a week since November and her dedication paid off when she claimed the U12 girls trophy. In the U12 boys division, Henry Hind, of Tennessee, has traveled to several SYC and he always has the best questions for the SYC staff. His desire to soak up knowledge is contagious, and he has finished as a runner-up three times at the SYC. Over the weekend, he proved to be the most consistent across the three patterns and was able to claim his first SYC title.
In the U15 girls division, Katelyn Abigania, of California, is constantly working to improve her game as she continues to grow into a bright young lady. She was the only repeat SYC champion crowned in Las Vegas. Averaging 212 across the 15 games of competition, she earned her third SYC title. In the U15 boys division, Bud Sicard, of Oregon, commanded the medium pattern averaging 252.6. He rolled a 299 game in the third game of the block and was greeted with many cheers, high fives, and fellow competitors after his twelfth shot of the game. He maintained his consistency throughout the other blocks and was rewarded with his first SYC title.
The U20 division is filled with so much talent and ambition. The athletes are truly refining their skills but still continuing to learn every time they step on the approach. In the U20 girls division, Jennifer Loredo, of California, who has committed to bowl for Vanderbilt University in the fall took home her first SYC title. She bowled a 289 game in the final game of the event to solidify her overall gold medal. Jorell Morris, of California, earned a medal on every SYC condition averaging 243.6 for the entire event to take home the U20 boys title. This was his first SYC title.
In addition to the overall champions, the top three bowlers in each division were presented a gold, silver, or bronze medal after each round.
The Medalists on the KEGEL Short Pattern: U12 Boys – Henry Hind (gold), Braden McDonough (silver), Brek Strobel (bronze). U12 Girls – Malorie Denney (gold), Brianna Archabal (silver), Arden Han Wei (bronze). U15 Boys– Harley Shene (gold), Bud Sicard (silver), Micah Voorhis (bronze). U15 Girls– Katelyn Abigania (gold), Saphyre Nofuente (silver), Morgan Kline (bronze). U20 Boys– Jorell Morris (gold), Ashton Yamasaki (silver), Tyler Weitzman (bronze). U20 Girls– Melanie Katen (gold), Jennifer Loredo (silver), Brooklyn Gagnon (bronze).
The Medalists on the KEGEL Medium Pattern: U12 Boys – Braden McDonough (gold), Henry Hind (silver), Roman Caporale (bronze). U12 Girls – Brianna Archabal (gold), Bella Castillo (silver), Arden Han Wei (bronze). U15 Boys– Bud Sicard (gold), Elias O'Hollaren (silver), Michael Hawk (bronze). U15 Girls– Katelyn Abigania (gold), Avery Domaguin (silver), Stephanie Hong (bronze). U20 Boys– Charles Bostic (gold), Jorell Morris (silver), Julian Michael Salinas (bronze). U20 Girls– Jennifer Loredo (gold), Melanie Katen (silver), Samantha Conti (bronze).
The Medalists on the KEGEL Long Pattern: U12 Boys – Ernesto Reynoso (gold), Roman Caporale (silver), Payton Day (bronze). U12 Girls – Brianna Archabal (gold), Sangalang (silver), Malorie Denney (bronze). U15 Boys– Micah Voorhis (gold), Mac Kaurin (silver), Elias O'Hollaren (bronze). U15 Girls– Kayla Starr (gold), Avery Domaguin (silver), Olivia Phillips (bronze). U20 Boys– Jorell Morris (gold), Charles Bostic (silver), Travis Zimmer (bronze). U20 Girls– Jennifer Loredo (gold), Caroline Thesier (silver), Melanie Katen (bronze).
Two SYC bowlers, Elias O'Hollaren and Travis Zimmer, rolled their first USBC sanctioned 300 games on the KEGEL Long Pattern.
Throughout the weekend participants and their families were able to attend seminars, learn fitness fundamentals from PWBA Champion and USBC Hall of Fame member, Kelly Kulick. Every bowler who entered the tournament received a Storm IQ Tour Emerald bowling ball to add to their tournament arsenal and were given the opportunity to have it drilled at the South Point Pro Shop.
Charitable giving continues to be a focus for the Storm Youth Championships. A donation of $10 from each entry goes directly to BVBC also known as Ballard vs. the Big “C.” BVBC raises funds for continued research in cancer treatment, specifically in head, neck, and throat cancer through the sport of bowling. BVBC also raises money for nutritional supplements and treatments for those going through the cancer journey. The Ballard Family was on site to host a BVBC silent auction, raffles and more throughout the weekend.
This tournament would not be possible without the support of our sponsors; Storm, Roto Grip, Logo Infusion, Kegel, 3G Shoes, and Bowlers Journal International. The event was livestreamed throughout the two days of competition on the Storm Bowling Facebook Page. Scores were updated live through the official scoring system of the Storm Youth Championships, BowlMetrix.
There will be a total of eight events scheduled for the 2020 Tour. The next state visited on the 2020 SYC Tour will be Minnesota on April 18-19. Entries will open on February 24 at Noon MST. For more information about our upcoming events visit our website, http://www.stormbowling.com/syc.