From wire reports
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Over 3,100 youth bowlers began their quests for glory Monday as the 2025 Junior Gold Championships began in this area of Wisconsin.
Competition began with the first of four four-game blocks at eight bowling centers to determine the first cut.
One Ohioan holds the lead after that opening round in the U15 boys division.
Parma Padua High School sophomore Zachary Mayne, a two-handed left-hander, rolled a 300 during his third game en route to finish with 1,038 (259.5 average) to hold the lead after Day 1.
Mayne also had games of 244, 237 and 257 during his set in the 644-player field. It was one of two 300s during the event. Mayne set the Ohio High School Bowling Association state tournament record in March with an 868 series at HP Lanes in Columbus with games of 279, 279 and 300.
Eli Anckner of Jacksonville, Fla. (987), Dalton Wheeler of Harrisburg, Ill. (975), Kamden Morris of Savannah, Tenn. (973), and Francis Johnson of Orlando, Fla. (969) fill out the remainder of the top five..
With 644 U15 Boys competing, 92 will move on to the Advancer Round following qualifying. Currently, Coldwater’s Drew Schulze is tied for the final spot with 796.
Other Ohioans within the cut include Beavercreek’s Isaiah Durflinger (14tn, 920), Columbus’ Christopher Hoyle Jr. (45th, 847) and Sunbury’s Mason Woodward (84th, 803).
U18 BOYS
Max Jenness of Ypsilanti, Mich., averaged over 263 and shot the event’s first 300 game in his second game, along with shooting games of 249, 227 and 278 for a 1,054 total to hold the led. Not far behind in second is Sean Jenkins of Richmond, Va., with 1,035.
Kaeden White of Lees Summit, Mo. (1,026), Nicolas Trentler of Phoenix, Md. (1,023), and Maxwell Benware of Keeseville, N.Y. (996), hold third through fifth.
With 1,341 U18 Boys this year, 192 will advance to the first Advancer Round after qualifying concludes and five boys are currently tied for 189th place at 807, including Strongsville’s Jacob Moravcik.
Other Ohioans within the cut after Day 1 include Ashland two-hander Max Oeken (17th, 935), who is coming off the Arrows claiming their second straight National High School Championships win; Prospect’s Bryan Brandt (37th, 899); Kettering’s Brenden Staton (69th, 868); North Ridgeville’s Jakob Holland (83rd, 856); Amherst’s Garrett Smith (125th, 835); Reynoldsburg’s Quinn Dean (142nd, 825), who was named to the Dexter High School All-America Team earlier this week; Liima’s Parker Latimore (148th, 823); Lorain’s Grant Taylor (151st, 821); Dayton’s James North (167th, 814); and Painesville’s Eddie Krofcheck (184th, 808).
U18 GIRLS
Haley Swindle of Newnan, Ga., had a consistent day, shooting games of 227, 228, 225 and 269 for a 949 total and an early lead. Gianna Varano of Stony Point, N.Y. (902), closed out the day in second place while Carly Rhodes of Largo, Fla. (875), ended her day in third place and on a high note with 243.
Tori Franklin of Frisco, Texas (844), and Sara Augustitus of St. Clair Shores, Mich. (827), round out the top five.
Of the 551 U18 Girls competing, just nine averaged 200 or better to start the event and 79 will continue on to the first Advancer Round at the end of qualifying, with 722 being low at this point.
Ohioans in that top 79 include Marysville’s Delaney Sherwood (33rd, 760); Painesville’s Mackenzie Pilny (35th, 757); Troy’s Baylie Massingill (40th, 753); Bellefontaine’s Kyndailynn Hood (56th, 738); and Bay Village’s Dorothy Sayles (56th, 738).
U15 GIRLS
Only three U15 Girls averaged 200 or better Monday, with Laelah Tiquia out of Auburn, Wash., leading the way after games of 230, 170, 191 and 246 for an 837 total, while 2024 U12 Girls champion Alyssa Randisi of Brooklyn, N.Y., is not far behind with 821.
Izzabella Dixon from Harrisburg, Pa. (801), Presley Raine of Morriston, Fla. (773), and Kylie Oppedisano of Trumbull, Conn. (768), round out the top five.
With 303 U15 Girls competing this year, 43 will move on to the first Advancers Round after qualifying, with 681 being the low after Round 1.
The only Ohioan within the cut after Round 1 is Columbus’ Lydia Gordon (eighth, 761).
U12 BOYS
Jaxon Wichers of Amarillo, Texas, has the lead after games of 230, 178, 203 and 247 for an 858 total, just one of five U12 Boys averaging 200 or better.
Dallas Zettle of West Branch, Mich. (843), Columbus’ Aaron Cabiness (829), Vincenzo Piccillo of Kingston, Pa. (805), and Gaven Clark of Wyoming, Mich. (783), round out the top five.
The division will send 33 to the Advancer Round in the 228-player field, with 679 being the cut after Round 1. Cabiness is the lone Ohioan within the cut.
U12 GIRLS
Ellie Kate Murray out of Orlando, Fla., led the way in the U12 Girls division with games of 168, 204, 198 and 180 for a total of 750. Irene Heward of Honolulu, Hawaii (725), Nora Rowe of Palmyra, N.Y. (708), Caitlin Stahl of Mankato, Minn. (687), and Katelyn Belcher of Graham, N.C. (682), close out the top five in the 107-player field.
After qualifying concludes Thursday, the top 16 U12 Girls will advance to the Final Advancer Round, with the cut being at 646 after Round 1. There are no Ohioans within the top 16.
HOT START FOR ALABAMA BOWLER
Brian Huynh of Tuscaloosa, Ala., began his third and final Junior Gold in exciting fashion, shooting back-to-back 290s and putting his name towards the top of the standings in sixth place after finishing with 995.
“I’ve never even come close to starting a block like this, I was so nervous,” said Huynh, a right-handed two-hander.
Huynh improved from his first year in 2023 to 2024 and looks to continue his year-to-year rise.
“I wasn’t shooting super high, just something obtainable that I can slowly bridge up to,” he said. “I think this year, I can definitely shoot for the stars.”
His goals aren’t just contained to his own personal success, as he will be attending Savannah College of Art and Design-Atlanta this fall with team success on his mind.
“Bowling-wise, I want to make it far as a team and hit some new records for the team,” Huynh said. “As a person, I want to mature more, learn more and continue to grow as a person.”
JUNIOR TEAM USA SPOTS ON THE LINE
In addition to the Junior Gold titles, competitors in the U18 divisions are also bowling for spots on Junior Team USA.
Six boys and six girls will qualify for Junior Team USA through scores bowled in the U18 division.
The top four male bowlers and top four female bowlers after 26 games of qualifying earn automatic spots, as well as the champions and runners-up in each division earn spots on Junior Team USA.
If the champion or runners-up already earned one of the four spots available in qualifying, the next athlete based on the qualifying standings after 26 games will qualify.
In U15, the top two age-eligible males and top two age-eligible female bowlers at the conclusion of 26 games of qualifying will earn a spot on Developmental Team USA.
See complete scores for Junior Gold by division here:
https://bowl.com/youth/youth-tournaments/junior-gold-championships/2025-results