You might say that the 2025 USBC Junior Gold tournament was the first championship-level execution in Green Bay since the Packers won the Super Bowl in 2011. 

The event’s first-ever appearance in Green Bay included a bold opening ceremony with more than 6,500 participants and their families packed into the Resch Center — home of the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay Phoenix men's basketball team — for the stepladder finals of the 2025 PWBA Anniversary Open. 

The Junior Gold athletes used words like “monumental” and “incredible” to describe the atmosphere of the event, which itself was significant because, for many young bowlers, this was the first opportunity to witness a professional bowling event live. 

Many of the athletes even found the event to be a motivation boost heading into competition. 

U12 Girls’ participant Aria Gbollie’s mother, Ashley said, “I really enjoyed this year because I feel like when you have the kids at this level of competition, they get to see what they aspire to be, especially for the young girls. So, to be able to see that firsthand and be like, this is the goal, I think it’s great.”

Behind the lights and cameras was a sentiment even more profound than the competition: a community of athletes, coaches, families, and fans who came together to celebrate their connection to bowling. For many athletes, it wasn’t about scores or standings, it was about meeting their idols, making new friends, and stepping onto a stage that brought their dreams to life. Whether it was a first title, a first trip to Junior Gold, or simply a first step onto the big stage, this year’s event was a reminder of why the sport continues to grow — and why moments like these matter. 

U12 Girls - Isabella Jones 
U12 Girls winner Isabella “Izzy” Jones is no stranger to the TV stage. What made this Junior Gold appearance different however was her motivation. While part of her drive arose from unfinished business in 2023, the added fuel was the determination to make a comeback after undergoing knee surgery in December. The surgery was to remove a buildup of scar tissue that caused Jones tremendous pain. 

Jones had been nervous about the surgery. One of her greatest fears was that she would be sidelined for weeks. According to her doctor, there were two recovery timelines; one was nine to 11 days while the other was six to eight weeks. Ultimately, it was the passion for bowling that kept her motivated during the recovery process, and she came out on the other side 11 days later and pain free. 

“She had a better outlook post-surgery,” her dad, Chris Jones said. “And you could tell that the pain wasn't there.” Jones himself was a past Team USA Member in 1999 and 2001, and his other daughter Lexi was an Indiana State High School champion. Bowling plays a significant role in all the Jones’s lives. 

For Izzy Jones, getting back on the lanes after surgery was only half the battle. The next fight arrived when she started bowling again. Her dad admitted that it was more difficult than either of them had imagined, noting that it could have been a “make or break” deal for her career. 

 “I thought to myself ‘this is going to be rough’ but she put in the work and it’s really good to see the outcome because that’s a make or break deal, you either get up and try again or you give up and she definitely went the other way with that,” he said. 

She started off slow, doing foul line drills, and then began working her way back up to full approach. Soon enough, she was back to competing in local events, bowling leagues with her father and sister, and even doing work in the pro shop alongside her family. 

And while hard work and determination were key, Jones acknowledged that there was another, less conventional, source of motivation behind her championship run: a deal she made with her mom. After finding out she had made the TV finals, she asked her mom if she could get her nose pierced if she won. “I took that bet, and I would be a liar if I told her no at this point,” her mom said. And sure enough, her mom stuck to her word, and the piercing shop was the first stop Jones made after returning home from Green Bay. She jokingly claimed that this was the real driver behind her 213–196 victory.

Along with playing handbells and cooking, Jones also enjoys math which she uses while in the pro shop, where she’s learning to drill her own equipment. The one type of math she has yet to master, however, is bowling math, which has proved to be beneficial while competing. “I enjoy not knowing bowling math because then I don’t know when the pressure is on me. I don’t know if I'm winning or losing until the very end,” she explained.  

There is no question that the future is bright for Jones. She has a stellar support system, motivation, and the knowledge of what it takes to be a champion. Her biggest takeaway from the week was that you get back what you put in, and just because one goal has been accomplished, doesn't mean there isn't more to learn. 

“Just because I achieved my goal doesn't mean that I shouldn't stop practicing. I still have to keep going and raise the bar for myself,” she concluded. 

U12 Boys - Noah Ausderau
Emotions poured out of the stands as Noah Ausderau began his stepladder finals. The crowd erupted after each shot, and it's easy to argue that it was one of the most electric and eclectic audiences of the entire event. Chants like “A-T-E” (standing for Atlantic East) and “Strike it up Noah” were heard after every shot, and it was those moments that helped propel the Virginia native to the U12 championship. Funny enough, most of the people in the stands were strangers to the Ausderau family at the start of the event, but like all bowling stories go, the tournament environment led to new friends, new experiences, and an unforgettable journey for the 12-year-old who capped off his U12 career with the one thing he’s been working towards since he began competing in the division five years ago - a title. 

For Ausderau, the road to gold was not easy. First, he had to fight his way through the Elimination Bracket, then face Jaxon Wichers, who put him there in the first place. Tensions were high as Ausderau quickly fell behind with four opens in the first seven frames. While many bowlers would mentally check out at this point, the young star dialed in, threw some strikes, and gave the crowd what they wanted. He won the first match by a single pin, 192-191. 

“It was amazing,” Ausderau said of the atmosphere. “I felt supported. I had people there that actually cared about my performance.” The crowd’s energy helped him build momentum in the first match, and that is what ultimately propelled him to 201-164 victory against Nehemiah Keefer. Similar to Wichers, this was not the first time Ausderau and Keefer faced off against each other. They both previously went head-to-head during the USA Bowling U12 Championship match the week before. That time, it was Keefer and the Lower Great Lakes team that prevailed, but the rematch was a reminder that the past doesn't matter. 

“It feels really good,” Ausderau said after winning the U12 Junior Gold title. “This win shows that I can beat anyone, even if they’ve beat me before.”

Not only did the win help boost Ausderau’s confidence, but it also served as a representation of how far he’s come since last year. Confidence, according to his dad, is the exact thing that he was missing last year. With a little bit of help from friends, family, and baseball, he was able to grow as an athlete. 

When Ausderau is not bowling, you’ll likely find him on the pitcher’s mound, eyes locked on the catcher’s mitt as he sharpens his technique. Pitching is no easy role—it demands focus, precision, and grit, all of which help him deal with situations under pressure.

“He has no qualms with getting the ball in a big situation on the field and I think that mentality translates to when he is doing singles events like Junior Gold,” his dad explained. “In these events, it’s just him and he’s got to make a big shot, so I think being in that environment so many times, not that it makes it easier, but it makes it less terrifying.”

Baseball has also helped Ausderau learn discipline, and the importance of both mental and physical fitness. It is not just his family that has noticed these changes, but also his teammates, including Chase Rudy and Bauer Wokasch, who were in the stands for the championship match. 

“For the last five years, he’s been coming to this tournament, and every single year he’s been placing much better, and this year he had a shot at the win. He knew what he had to do, and he did it,” Wokasch said. 

U15 Girls - Anna Antony
Back in January, Bowlers Journal profiled Anna Antony, a Connecticut native, who the journal deemed to be a bowler to watch in 2025. After the U12 events wrapped up, the U15 Girls hit the stage, and the winner was none other than Antony.

Antony secured the No. 1 seed for the show in Green Bay, and returned to TV just two years after finishing third. She defeated the No. 2 seed Ava Mazza, daughter of eight-time PBA Tour champion John Mazza, in the title match, firing an impressive 222 to Mazza’s 145, thus securing the title that was out of reach for the last five years. Antony has finished Junior Gold in the Top 10 as far back as 2021. This achievement is years in the making. 

“Whenever I bowl big events like this, I try to block everything out, but I’m really, really happy,” she said after the match. “I have so many supporters and I’m just thankful that they could be here to see this.”

Before touching down in Green Bay, Antony made history as the first two-handed girl to win the PBA Junior National Championships. She accomplished this feat after defeating Katelyn Abigania, 217-210, in the U18 division, at just 15 years old. 

Antony made the decision to jump divisions to challenge herself; a decision that set her up for future success. Having the opportunity to bowl on TV again was an added bonus. 

“I saw that as an opportunity, not only to bowl on TV, but next year, I’m going to be facing these girls anyway, so I thought I might as well just start doing it now,” she explained. It’s that type of mindset that sets Antony apart from other girls her age, and it's part of the reason why she has been able to excel so young. It’s one of the details that even her mentor, Kelly Kulick, has noticed, and why she coaches Antony differently than any other teenager. 

“I coach her like she’s 25,” Kulick said. “I say to her, ‘you know you’re 15 and if you want to get to this next level and keep ahead of your competition, you have to start thinking like a professional bowler. That means being observant, aware, watching where your opponents are sliding, and watching the ball reaction.’” 

Kulick attended Junior Gold, which she joked was the final title to complete the “Triple Crown” of youth bowling: Teen Masters, PBA Junior, and Junior Gold. Overall, it was a special moment for the mentor and the mentee. 

“As much as we get to work together, I never get to see her compete live. I’ve seen her at SYCs, which is a different stage in comparison, but this is the first time I’ve seen her perform. It was really exciting for me,” Kulick said. 

Antony bowls in shoes autographed by her favorite bowlers.  “It’s the memories and symbolism,” she said of the autographs. “Being able to showcase all the amazing people I’ve met.” Among the autographs are Darran Tang, Singapore’s Daphne Tan, and the 2024 PWBA Player of the Year, Sin Lin Jane. She also has an autograph from Timmy Tan and claims that one to mean the most to her because he comes from Malaysia, just like her father.      

“When you win all these awards, sometimes it can get to your head, but I’m lucky enough to have a supportive family that always reminds me that I’m not entitled to anything,” she said. Along with her family, she also acknowledged how much support she has from her junior program back home. 

“They’ve just been so kind and welcoming to me. They’ve always showed up when I needed them and I’ve made so many great friends because of it,” she said. And show up they did and do; in the stands, rooting for her, included U18 Boys participant Sean Buck, who held up a giant sign that read “Let’s Go Anna! #Mustard.” The hashtag was an inside joke among the friend group, linked to the popular song by Kendrick Lamar. Simply put, the meaning behind it was “a little bit of hype motivation from the stands.” 

“I’ve seen all the hard work and dedication that she’s put in and to see all that hard work pay off for such a great person – there’s no one more deserving and no one that I would want to win a title more than Anna,” he said. 

U15 Boys - Zachary Mayne
To watch Zachary Mayne walk out onto the lanes, you’d think he’d bowled on TV countless times. Since the first grade, he has been part of a drama cam. His favorite was the production of Godspell Jr., based on the popular musical Godspell, which brings biblical stories to life. Little did he know that performance would not only place him in front of one of the largest audiences he’s ever faced, but would also prepare him to bowl on national television for a youth championship.    

“I felt a little more calm, because I’ve done this kind of thing before, maybe not for bowling, but in general, I’ve been under these lights and under this kind of pressure before,” he explained. 

By the look on his face, it would’ve been hard to tell that he felt any pressure at all, despite starting the final match with two opens. In those moments, he stayed calm, cool, and collected. He made a few adjustments, then went on to fire six strikes over the next eight shots, each one more energized than the last. 

“I’m so used to these larger crowds because of the theater. I feed off their energy and that’s what kept me going,” he said of the audience. 

Mayne has a natural, raw talent that not many other 15-year-old bowlers possess. He learns by watching – imitating the things he sees in others as though he is stepping into character. 

Winning Junior Gold was only one of his many accomplishments this year. Back in May, he capped off his first year on his high school bowling team by setting the Ohio State Championship record with an 858 series. The set included games of 279, 279, and 300. He threw 34/36 strikes, almost perfect had it not been for the eighth frame in both the first and second game. 

“He was more excited about getting the eighth frame in the third game than he was the 300,” Patti said. With it being his first year on the high school team, he went into that event not knowing what to expect, but it's safe to say he’s set the bar high for himself heading into next season. 

In addition to bowling, Mayne also plays soccer, baseball, and volleyball, and will continue to chase every passion with the same energy and dedication - whether he’s on the lanes, the stage, or the field. 

U18 Girls - Elena Weinstok
The most historic match of the tournament came in the U18 Girls division, when Costa Rica’s Elena Weinstok became the first international competitor to win a Junior Gold title. She accomplished this feat by climbing the stepladder finals as the No. 2 seed, defeating No. 3 seed Amber Benson, 183-159, in the opening match. She went on to defeat the No. 1 seed Tori Franklin, 225-192, in the final match. 

“It feels amazing,” she said of the win. “I’m happy that I represented my country well in the States.” 

To her, Junior Gold has always been one of the most physically and mentally demanding tournaments that she's competed in. In addition to being a youth national champion in the United States, she also spent years on the international circuit, winning titles as a member of Costa Rica’s youth and adult national teams. She won gold medals at the 2024 Youth World Cup and the 2024 PanAm Championships, which is why it is not surprising that she is considered the future of bowling for Costa Rica.   

Weinstok started bowling at the age of 7 and has travelled around the world to compete at events. She has an impressive list of cities visited, but, for her, it’s the U.S. that keeps bringing her back. Not only because she loves the sport, but because she loves all the opportunities that are available to her. 

“In the U.S., there are a lot of very talented girls and I’ve never competed with so much talent. It’s outstanding,” she said. 

Not only is there more competition, but, according to her, the bowling culture is also different, one of the biggest differences being how involved families are. 

“You go into these events, and you don’t only see the actual bowlers, you see their brothers, their sisters, even cousins in the bowling alley supporting friends and family. I find that in the U.S., it’s more of a lifestyle,” she continued. 

In Costa Rica, bowling alleys are smaller, and the sport itself is not as popular. There also are no events that compare to the size and level of Junior Gold, and no college bowling. For her, the United States is the one place in the world where she can come, have fun, learn and live out her dreams. This year’s win was not so much about her, as it was about inspiring others to come here and do the same. 

“It's not easy. It’s something that takes time. I remember the very first time I came to the States to try and qualify for Junior Gold, I didn't make it,” she recalled. “It’s the conditions you have to learn because it’s a different environment, but as long as you’re doing the things that you like and you’re enjoying it, you’re not only gaining bowling experience, but life experience too.” 

When Weinstok returned home, she was able to rest for a few days, but then it was back to training in preparation for the 2025 PanAm Bowling Youth Championships in Guatemala City, Guatemala. She explained that her training involves a mix of both physical and mental exercises. She also prioritizes nutrition, making sure that she fuels her body with the necessary nutrients that will keep her going. In the United States, her favorite dish is the Panera Bread tomato soup. 

Weinstok is a sports fan through and through, watching whatever sport she can on TV. She even follows several U.S. sports teams, including the Atlanta Hawks and the Buffalo Bills. 

She became a Bills fan because they were playing in one of the first NFL games she ever saw. Her connection to the Hawks, however, has a deeper meaning, connected to her love of bowling and her love of the United States. When she comes to the States to qualify for Junior Gold, she often flies through Atlanta. “I feel attached to the city,” she said. 

This year’s Junior Gold event might have been one of the first times that many Americans were introduced to the young star, but it won’t be the last. She plans on coming back to next year’s event in Minnesota and hopes to bowl in college. 

You might think that Weinstok’s win is the most historic event to happen on the lanes at Ashwaubenon, but the house is filled with historic performances from some of the sport's top athletes. 

• February 8, 2015: Jason Belmonte became the first bowler in history to win three straight USBC Masters titles after defeating AJ Johnson, 202-157 
• May 13, 2015: The PWBA re-launched with the USBC Queens event. Liz Johnson won after defeating Erin McCarthy, 256-202
• May 22, 2024: Jillian Martin becomes the youngest person to win the USBC Queens event after defeating Hope Gramly, 267-220 
• July 19, 2025: Elena Weinstok becomes the first international player to win a Junior Gold title after defeating Tori Franklin, 225-192

U18 Boys - Kaeden White
The 2025 Junior Gold Championships concluded with one of the highest scoring performances of the day from U18 Boys winner Kaeden White. He lost in the opening round of match play, which forced him to win five straight matches in the Elimination Bracket to earn the No. 3 seed. White used this momentum for the stepladder finals, taking down No. 2 seed Chance McLane and No. 1 seed Jos Weems with scores of 256 and 269 to take home his first national title, in only his second year competing at Junior Gold. 

“I’m speechless,” White said after the match. He looked calm throughout; barely cracking a smile. But as soon as he threw the championship-winning shot, he breathed a sigh of relief, and the emotion began to show. 

“I try not to show much emotion when I bowl,” he explained. “But I was super tense with that shot and had to tell myself it’s just another shot.”

But it wasn't just another shot. It was a testament to the hard work and dedication he put in after last year’s event in Detroit. A symbol of the late nights he put in both on and off the lanes to become the best player that he could be and a fitting farewell to what was one of the last youth events of his career. 

“We’re just so proud of him,” his mom, Holly White, said. “For him to finish out on that high of a note, it’s just amazing. He deserves all of it.” 

In last year’s event, which marked his first time competing at Junior Gold, he finished 75th after suffering a back injury during competition. He returned home afterwards and had to take some time off to allow the injury to heal, but once it did, he got back out on the lanes and never looked back. His parents explained that he would practice five days a week while bowling in leagues all around town. He also works the front desk of a local bowling alley, so it was not uncommon for him to spend time after his shift fine-tuning his mechanics. 

Like every teenager, he has other hobbies, like playing golf and video games while hanging out with friends, but ultimately, he’s a teenager all about bowling. And bowling will likely be his high school legacy because without him, Blue Springs South High School wouldn't have a team. White started the team with the help of his chemistry teacher and, the following year, the team placed seventh overall in districts. The next year, they placed in the top five, which qualified them for the state championships. During his senior year, they placed second in the district and advanced to the states yet again, this time, walking away with the championship. 

“It’s amazing,” White said of his program. “To be able to see that steady progression by everyone was just amazing. Now, since me and the other seniors are gone, I hope that it continues and will be just as successful.” 

His Junior Gold win came just a few months after winning the state championship, so one might say he’s already checked every major box for the year, but the best is yet to come for the young star. The next goal White is looking to accomplish will begin this Fall when he begins his college career at Midland University. There, he hopes to earn even more titles, including ITC and ISC wins with his new teammates. 

The incoming freshman toured several schools before choosing Midland, but ultimately, it was the team dynamic that he witnessed on his visit that sealed the deal. “Being able to see how the team interacted with each other, and how Britney Brown coached them really made me realize that that’s where I want to be.” 

Head Coach Britney Brown is thrilled to welcome White to the program, and believes that he’ll make an immediate impact, both on and off the lanes. 

“Kaeden is going to be a difference-maker,” Brown said. “On the lanes, I expect him to be a strong contributor from the start. But off the lanes, I think his biggest impact will be in the way he connects with his teammates and holds space for others to grow. He’s grounded and doesn’t need the spotlight to make a statement. What I appreciate most is that he doesn’t have to try to be that kind of presence, he just is.” 

Coach Brown first discovered White’s talents on social media. She was impressed with his technique, noticing features in his release that can take others years to develop. After meeting him in person at last year’s Junior Gold event, she knew that she had found someone special for her program. “Seeing Kaeden in person at Junior Gold in 2024 took it to another level,” she continued. “Funny enough, he was dealing with an injury, and he still impressed me. That kind of talent paired with such resilience is what drew me in.

There’s a maturity to Kaeden that goes well beyond his age. He asks the right questions, stays coachable, and listens with intention – those qualities are absolute gold in a team setting. Since committing to Midland, he’s consistently reached out, asking for feedback, wanting to know what I see in his game and where he can grow. Whether it’s from me, his coach back in KC, or anyone he trusts, he’s always searching for ways to get better.” 

New Technique
With tournaments like Junior Gold, it’s easy to focus on the winners. But behind every championship match are countless stories about others in the standings. 

One of these is the story of Makynna Hodges. A participant in the U12 Girls division, she was just one pin shy of fighting for a third-place spot in the stepladder finals, finishing fifth overall. 

Technically, Hodges’ approach would be classified as two-handed, but not in the traditional sense. She describes it as a basketball approach: instead of inserting two fingers and cradling the ball with two hands, she holds onto it as though she is Leonie Fiebich passing the ball to Sabrina Ionescu for the game-winning shot of Game 3 of the WNBA Finals. No holes drilled, no fingers inserted, just a strong grip and tremendous accuracy with her favorite pink plastic ball. 

“I couldn't pick up the ball when I was four, so I just started bowling like that, and then couldn't really break the habit so I kept doing it and started to get better,” Hodges explained.

The Alabama native began her bowling journey when she was just four years old and has continued to improve every year. Just how much has she improved with this approach? Well, aside from her impressive fifth-place finish at this year’s event, she started her journey averaging 64 during the 2018-2019 season, jumping to a career high of 154 during the 2024-2025 season - a 90 pin increase. Not to mention, she has been able to collect several accolades along the way, including a Tennessee Road to Gold Tournament of Champions title, a Georgia Youth Bowlers Tournament of Champions title, and for the last four years, she has won the Alabama Pepsi Youth Championships. 

What she likes about these types of events, including Junior Gold, is the competitive nature. According to her dad, that’s exactly the type of environment she needs to shine. 

“If she’s bowling against kids that are very competitive, she’s going to bowl better,” he explained. “She’s always excelled at one-on-one events, so I wasn't surprised to see how well she did in match play this year. She’s going to look at what the person beside her is doing, and she's going to try to be better than that.” 

Unlike most bowlers, oil patterns and lane conditions don’t affect Hodges. Her only goal on the first shot is to stare down the middle arrow, hitting two boards on either side. As for her spare shooting, her goal is the same as it is for everyone: line up and aim right at it. 

Will she ever switch to a more traditional two-handed or single-handed approach? The answer to that remains to be seen, but according to her parents, it will be a decision that only she can make.  

At one point in time, her dad, (also her coach) tried to change her style. But after reaching out to several people in the industry, the best advice he was given was to let her be, and if she wants to change, let her, but he can’t change her himself. 

“If she doesn't want to change her style, it’s not my place to change it,” he said. “It’s unique, but once again, the great thing that we have going for us, especially tournament wise, where these kids are shooting on multiple patterns, is she never really has to adjust to that. She’s just gotta keep her accuracy up on her spares,” he said.

Not only does Hodges have no plans on switching anytime soon, but she is even encouraging others to give this approach a try.

“It’s really easy,” she said. “You have more control of the ball and it's easier for me to have fun with bowling.” 

Throughout the evolution of bowling, there have been several unique approaches to the sport. In fact, it was not that long ago that Jason Belmonte made waves with his two-handed technique which is now one of the most popular approaches, especially among the younger generation. Hodges’ style is also not unheard of. Just ask PBA Regional titlist Tim Cagle II, who started bowling the same way that she does. He too was asked if he would ever change his technique, and while he has made certain adjustments, like putting his fingers in the ball and moving his release closer to his hips, he has not strayed far from his roots, and that has proven beneficial. Among his many accolades, he has five PBA Regional titles, but to him, it's his first one that means the most to him, because it was a testament to his determination and something that showed that being who you are is all you ever need to be. 

Cagle recalled the first PBA Regional event he attended back in 2013. At the time, he was crossing with Josh Blanchard, who, like many others, questioned him and his style. 

“He said while we were bowling ‘Who is this kid? And what the hell is he doing?’” Cagle recalled. Little did Blanchard know that eight years later, he would be announcing Cagle as the regional winner. Blanchard was then the director of the Wwest and Nnorthwest regions.  

“During the tournament when I won my first title, Blanchard said over the intercom when announcing my win, ‘I never thought I’d say this, but Tim Cagle II, one of the oddest bowlers, has a PBA title.’ It made me emotional because I knew I had done something not many have,” Cagle said. 

Similar to Hodges, Cagle’s goal has always been to inspire others while staying true to who he is as a person and athlete. 

“What I’ve learned is you have to have a thick skin and not care what people think of you and just trust your own process without the fear of failure,” he said. “Failure is a big part of being a great success; that’s how we learn. When I talk to these young kids, that’s what I preach to them so they don’t give up or aren’t embarrassed by what anyone tells them. Just be true to yourself.” 

Whether you’re Belmonte, Cagle, or even Hodges, the overall message is that bowling is a sport that is made for everyone, and there is no right or wrong way to do it. What’s important is the passion behind it. The motivation to want to succeed. And Junior Gold is one of the best places for youth bowlers to showcase that.