By GENE J. KANAK
USBC Communications
ARLINGTON, Texas – Team USA athletesCrystal Elliott, AJ Johnson, Julian Salinas and Jordan Snodgrass are ready for the start of competition at the 2026 PANAM Bowling IX Pan American Championship Champion of Champions, which begins Monday and runs daily through Oct. 31 at the Bowling Center of the Costa Rica Country Club in San Jose, Costa Rica.
The American foursome is formidable to say the least having combined to win nearly 40 international medals – 22 of them gold – during their time representing Team USA and Junior Team USA on the lanes.
The 2026 Pan American Champion of Champions will feature a split schedule with men competing first and women to follow.
The men’s technical meeting will occur on Saturday with that division’s official practice session taking place the following day on Sunday.
The opening round of Men’s Doubles will be contested on Monday.
Tuesday will feature the first eight-game block of Men’s Singles and the awarding of the Men’s Doubles medals.
Wednesday’s agenda will include the second round of Men’s Singles competition, that event’s medal presentations and the women’s official practice session.
Women’s Doubles competition will commence on Thursday.
Round 1 of Women’s Singles will occur on Oct. 30 as will the distribution of the Women’s Doubles medals.
Oct. 31 will be the final day of competition at the 2026 Pan American Champion of Champions and will see Round 2 of Women’s Singles take place and that event’s medals conferred.
Team USA is scheduled to depart San Jose on Nov. 1.
The four athletes bowling for Team USA in Costa Rica have varying levels of adult team experience with Johnson and Snodgrass representing the veteran side of the ledger while Elliott and Salinas are two vital assets among the program’s up-and-coming talent.
Elliott won a pair of medals – singles gold and all-events bronze – at the 2024 Champion of Champions in Lima, Peru, so she already has a certain comfort level at the event. Also, she recently spent time in Costa Rica competing individually, so she expects to feel right at home during her time in San Jose.
“I’m excited to be going back to Costa Rica because I was able to build great relationships down there,” Elliott said. “There is a lot of support from the bowling community in the San Jose area, so I’m really excited to see some familiar faces this week. Overall though, I’m just excited to be back competing at Champion of Champions again. Getting the opportunity to wear the red, white and blue has always been a dream, and I’m fortunate to be in the position I’m in.”
Salinas expressed similar feelings.
“I was extremely excited and grateful when I found out I was selected,” Salinas said. “Anytime you get the opportunity to represent Team USA and compete for your country, it’s a huge honor. I’m really proud to be part of this team, and I’m excited to have another opportunity to compete on the international stage.
“I’m really looking forward to experiencing Costa Rica and spending time with the other people on the team. One of my favorite parts about traveling for bowling is getting to experience places I might not otherwise have the opportunity to visit. It’ll be great to explore a new country, experience the culture, try some new food and make memories.”
Johnson also is looking forward to those experiences and the opportunity to help his teammates in any way he can.
“As one of the team’s veterans, I hope that I can be a good mentor and leader to help us reach the podium,” Johnson said. “We have a great group going, bowlers who will compete well and enjoy bowling together. We know we have a job to do and the standard at which we expect to do it. Our goal is to come back with as many gold medals as we can no matter how we get there. Those goals are lofty, but I know we all feel the same way.”