2011 PABCON Youth Championships kicks off

SANTIAGO, Dominican Republic - The 2011 Pan American Bowling Confederation Youth Championships were ushered in with the opening ceremonies on Sunday afternoon.

PYCopeningLARGEMore than 100 bowlers from 16 countries will compete in the PABCON Youth Championships, which features two divisions, one for bowlers 20 and younger and the other for bowlers 16 and younger. Junior Team USA will compete only in the under-20 division.

The Dominican Republic's Aumi Guerra, last year's World Cup champion, threw out the ceremonial first ball, knocking down nine pins to officially kick off the tournament. She was joined by World Tenpin Bowling Association President Kevin Dornberger of the United States, PABCON President Jose Guandique of El Salvador and the Dominican Republic's Manuel Fernandez in welcoming the participants, coaches and supporters.

The competition begins with singles on Monday and continues with action in doubles on Tuesday, trios on Wednesday, team on Thursday and Friday and concludes Saturday with Masters. Medals will also be awarded in all-events.

Junior Team USA will only compete in the under-20 division. The U.S. girls roster includes Elise Bolton of Merritt Island, Fla., Jessica Earnest of Vandalia, Ill., Danielle McEwan of Stony Point, N.Y., and Kaitlin Quinn of Livonia, N.Y. On the boys side, Junior Team USA is represented by Marshall Kent of Yakima, Wash., Kyle King of Glendale, Ariz., Andrew Koff of Miami and EJ Tackett of Huntington, Ind.

BOWL.com is planning to provide free live streaming of the under-20 division of the event. Coverage is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. Eastern on Monday and Tuesday, 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, 10 a.m. on Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. on Saturday.