Junior Team USA eager to begin quest for medals in Malaysia
June 26, 2026
ARLINGTON, Texas – Eight highly skilled young athletes have made their way across the Pacific and are set to represent Junior Team USA at the 2026 International Bowling Federation World Youth Championships, which will take place at Megalanes Sarawak Bowling Centre in Sarawak, Malaysia, starting Saturday and running through July 6.
Jacob Bockstie of Nottingham, Maryland; Josh Hammons of Topeka, Kansas; Landin Jordan of Sycamore, Illinois; and Dawson Peterson of Stewartville, Minnesota, will be the boys in red, white and blue while Katelyn Abigania of San Diego, Gianna Brandolino of Channahon, Illinois; Erin Klemencic of Powder Springs, Georgia; and Elizabeth Teuber of Holly, Michigan, will represent Junior Team USA on the girls’ side.
The unit will be led by Junior Team USA Head Coach Kelly Kulick, who will be assisted by Team USA Head Coach Bryan O’Keefe.
The American contingent is likely to encounter a substantial challenge in Malaysia as upwards of 300 athletes from more than 35 federations are expected to compete at the 2026 IBF World Youth Championships.
Official practice sessions and the tournament’s opening ceremony will occur on Saturday, kicking off 10 straight days of bowling action in Sarawak.
The first event of this year’s tournament will be singles, which will see qualifying and match play contested over the course of two days on Sunday and Monday.
A similar schedule will be used for the doubles event with the first two rounds of competition being completed in both divisions on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Team qualifying and match play will take place at Megalanes on July 2-3 with the first two rounds of mixed team action immediately following on July 4.
Singles semifinal- and final-round action will headline the schedule on July 5 along with the doubles semifinals in both divisions.
The final day of competition will be the most extensive, however, as July 6’s docket will feature the doubles finals and the semifinals and finals for both the team and mixed team events.
Once the final shots have been delivered and the final medals conferred, the Victory Banquet will officially bring the 2026 IBF World Youth Championships to a close on the evening of July 6.
Abigania and Brandolino certainly know what it takes to win medals during international competition; after all, they’re the veterans of the group as each young woman is making her fourth international appearance representing the United States.
To date, Abigania has captured five international medals (four gold, one silver) while Brandolino’s trophy case features four (two gold, one silver, one bronze).
Abigania is grateful for the opportunity to add to that total during the next 10 days in Malaysia, and she is confident that she and her teammates will do just that.
“I’m very honored and grateful to be working with the best coaches and players in the world; this team will be amazing,” Abigania said. “The best part of these trips is being surrounded by people who are just as determined and competitive as I am. I’m extremely proud to be representing our country again, and I’m looking forward to winning some medals.”
Brandolino shared similar thoughts.
“It’s a feeling like no other when you have USA on your back, so I’m super excited to be able to go to a new country and represent Junior Team USA,” Brandolino said. “I’m really looking forward to competing with this great group of people. I think we’ll all get along great, which will only strengthen us when we bowl.
“I’m also excited to try new foods, embrace the culture and explore a new country. You name it, and I’m probably excited for it.”
For Teuber and Peterson, part of the excitement stems from venturing into the unknown as the 2026 IBF World Youth Championship will mark each player’s international debut.
As such, Teuber will be looking to make the most of every aspect of this special opportunity.
“On the lanes, I can’t wait to compete with and against some of the best junior bowlers in the world,” Teuber said. “Off the lanes, I just want to take in the experience as a whole. I’m looking forward to getting to experience overseas travel and exploring a new place. It’s a great honor to represent Junior Team USA, and I’m anxious to see what our team can do in competition.”
Peterson is just as eager and grateful.
“Getting to travel to another country to compete alongside the best youth bowlers in the world is an experience I’ve always dreamed of, and I’m excited to learn from it,” Peterson said. “I think we have a great group representing Junior Team USA in Malaysia, so I think we’ll have a good chance at some medals. Still, I’m just super grateful to have been selected for this opportunity.”
Bockstie, Hammons, Jordan and Klemencic each have had that opportunity once before, Bockstie at the 2024 IBF World Youth Championships in Incheon, Korea, and Hammons, Jordan and Klemencic at last year’s PANAM Bowling Youth Championship in Guatemala City.
Hammons has experienced the greatest success, collecting two gold medals, one silver and two bronze. Jordan (silver, bronze), Bockstie (two silver) and Klemencic (two silver) have represented Junior Team USA in fine fashion as well, collecting two medals apiece during their debut outings on the international stage.
Despite the success he’s already enjoyed, Hammons is hungry for more this week in Sarawak.
“I feel very prepared and excited heading into this event,” Hammons said. “I have worked hard to prep myself the best I can to give myself and our team the best shot at getting some medals. We have an extremely talented group, and I have no doubts we can win.”
Bockstie feels just as prepared and confident on the eve of competition.
“I’m very confident in myself and my team,” Bockstie said. “I feel like I’ve been throwing the ball very well recently, so I’m super excited. I think our team will do great and that there’s nothing we can’t win.”
Jordan’s expectations are just as high; however, win or lose, he’ll leave Malaysia grateful for having gotten the chance to compete for Junior Team USA once again.
“I’m thankful for this opportunity and looking forward to representing my country,” Jordan said. “Watching the Olympics, World Cup and other events where people get to represent their country is very inspiring, so to be given that opportunity is an honor I’m very much looking forward to.”
Klemencic is excited for the opportunity, the competition and the new things she’ll get to experience along the way.
“It means everything to me to get to travel and represent Junior Team USA,” Klemencic said. “I’m honored because it’s a dream come true to be selected and go chase medals for this team.
“I’m looking forward to international competition, bowling with a bunch of new people, trying the different food and just experiencing everything that’s new and different for me.”
One thing Klemencic and her teammates hope remains the same, however, is the United States’ track record of strong showings during international competition.
CLICK HERE for more information on Junior Team USA.
Jacob Bockstie of Nottingham, Maryland; Josh Hammons of Topeka, Kansas; Landin Jordan of Sycamore, Illinois; and Dawson Peterson of Stewartville, Minnesota, will be the boys in red, white and blue while Katelyn Abigania of San Diego, Gianna Brandolino of Channahon, Illinois; Erin Klemencic of Powder Springs, Georgia; and Elizabeth Teuber of Holly, Michigan, will represent Junior Team USA on the girls’ side.
The unit will be led by Junior Team USA Head Coach Kelly Kulick, who will be assisted by Team USA Head Coach Bryan O’Keefe.
The American contingent is likely to encounter a substantial challenge in Malaysia as upwards of 300 athletes from more than 35 federations are expected to compete at the 2026 IBF World Youth Championships.
Official practice sessions and the tournament’s opening ceremony will occur on Saturday, kicking off 10 straight days of bowling action in Sarawak.
The first event of this year’s tournament will be singles, which will see qualifying and match play contested over the course of two days on Sunday and Monday.
A similar schedule will be used for the doubles event with the first two rounds of competition being completed in both divisions on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Team qualifying and match play will take place at Megalanes on July 2-3 with the first two rounds of mixed team action immediately following on July 4.
Singles semifinal- and final-round action will headline the schedule on July 5 along with the doubles semifinals in both divisions.
The final day of competition will be the most extensive, however, as July 6’s docket will feature the doubles finals and the semifinals and finals for both the team and mixed team events.
Once the final shots have been delivered and the final medals conferred, the Victory Banquet will officially bring the 2026 IBF World Youth Championships to a close on the evening of July 6.
Abigania and Brandolino certainly know what it takes to win medals during international competition; after all, they’re the veterans of the group as each young woman is making her fourth international appearance representing the United States.
To date, Abigania has captured five international medals (four gold, one silver) while Brandolino’s trophy case features four (two gold, one silver, one bronze).
Abigania is grateful for the opportunity to add to that total during the next 10 days in Malaysia, and she is confident that she and her teammates will do just that.
“I’m very honored and grateful to be working with the best coaches and players in the world; this team will be amazing,” Abigania said. “The best part of these trips is being surrounded by people who are just as determined and competitive as I am. I’m extremely proud to be representing our country again, and I’m looking forward to winning some medals.”
Brandolino shared similar thoughts.
“It’s a feeling like no other when you have USA on your back, so I’m super excited to be able to go to a new country and represent Junior Team USA,” Brandolino said. “I’m really looking forward to competing with this great group of people. I think we’ll all get along great, which will only strengthen us when we bowl.
“I’m also excited to try new foods, embrace the culture and explore a new country. You name it, and I’m probably excited for it.”
For Teuber and Peterson, part of the excitement stems from venturing into the unknown as the 2026 IBF World Youth Championship will mark each player’s international debut.
As such, Teuber will be looking to make the most of every aspect of this special opportunity.
“On the lanes, I can’t wait to compete with and against some of the best junior bowlers in the world,” Teuber said. “Off the lanes, I just want to take in the experience as a whole. I’m looking forward to getting to experience overseas travel and exploring a new place. It’s a great honor to represent Junior Team USA, and I’m anxious to see what our team can do in competition.”
Peterson is just as eager and grateful.
“Getting to travel to another country to compete alongside the best youth bowlers in the world is an experience I’ve always dreamed of, and I’m excited to learn from it,” Peterson said. “I think we have a great group representing Junior Team USA in Malaysia, so I think we’ll have a good chance at some medals. Still, I’m just super grateful to have been selected for this opportunity.”
Bockstie, Hammons, Jordan and Klemencic each have had that opportunity once before, Bockstie at the 2024 IBF World Youth Championships in Incheon, Korea, and Hammons, Jordan and Klemencic at last year’s PANAM Bowling Youth Championship in Guatemala City.
Hammons has experienced the greatest success, collecting two gold medals, one silver and two bronze. Jordan (silver, bronze), Bockstie (two silver) and Klemencic (two silver) have represented Junior Team USA in fine fashion as well, collecting two medals apiece during their debut outings on the international stage.
Despite the success he’s already enjoyed, Hammons is hungry for more this week in Sarawak.
“I feel very prepared and excited heading into this event,” Hammons said. “I have worked hard to prep myself the best I can to give myself and our team the best shot at getting some medals. We have an extremely talented group, and I have no doubts we can win.”
Bockstie feels just as prepared and confident on the eve of competition.
“I’m very confident in myself and my team,” Bockstie said. “I feel like I’ve been throwing the ball very well recently, so I’m super excited. I think our team will do great and that there’s nothing we can’t win.”
Jordan’s expectations are just as high; however, win or lose, he’ll leave Malaysia grateful for having gotten the chance to compete for Junior Team USA once again.
“I’m thankful for this opportunity and looking forward to representing my country,” Jordan said. “Watching the Olympics, World Cup and other events where people get to represent their country is very inspiring, so to be given that opportunity is an honor I’m very much looking forward to.”
Klemencic is excited for the opportunity, the competition and the new things she’ll get to experience along the way.
“It means everything to me to get to travel and represent Junior Team USA,” Klemencic said. “I’m honored because it’s a dream come true to be selected and go chase medals for this team.
“I’m looking forward to international competition, bowling with a bunch of new people, trying the different food and just experiencing everything that’s new and different for me.”
One thing Klemencic and her teammates hope remains the same, however, is the United States’ track record of strong showings during international competition.
CLICK HERE for more information on Junior Team USA.