2013 Junior Gold heads to match play

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. - Four bowlers earned automatic spots on Junior Team USA as qualifying concluded Thursday at the 2013 North Pointe Junior Gold Championships presented by Track, Hammer, Columbia 300 and Ebonite.

Nick Kruml of Downers Grove, Ill., Andrew Anderson of Holly, Mich., Julia Bond of Aurora, Ill., and Liz Kuhlkin of Rotterdam, N.Y., all earned automatic spots on Junior Team USA in 2014 by virtue of their 25-game totals in the 20-and-under division to end qualifying at Sunnybrook Lanes.

The top 16 players in each of the four divisions, including the 15-and-unders, advanced to Friday's match play.

In addition to the automatic Junior Team USA spot awarded Thursday night, additional automatic spots will be given to the winner and runner-up after bracket play in the 20-and-under division. If one or both of the finalists in the bracket already earned a spot through qualifying, the automatic spot becomes an at-large selection.

The National Selection Committee will select two boys and two girls from the match-play field, with all bowlers, including 15 and under, eligible for at-large selection. The final eight spots - four boys and four girls - on Junior Team USA will continue to be determined at the USBC Team USA Trials.

For more information on the event, visit BOWL.com/JuniorGold.