U15 development team trains at ITRC

ARLINGTON, Texas – Four youth bowlers who made their marks at the North Pointe Junior Gold Championships had the opportunity to train with Team USA coaches at the International Training and Research Center this week.

U15 development teamWesley Low of Palmdale, Calif., Breanna Clemmer of Clover, S.C., Ashley Dunn of Palmdale, Calif., and Bradley Crouse of Nazareth, Pa. (l-r in photo), earned spots on the U15 development team with their performances at last year’s North Pointe Junior Gold Championships.

The quartet also will represent the United States at the Lee Evans Tournament of the Americas in Sunrise, Fla., from July 28-Aug. 3.

“It’s nice to have a developmental system for Junior Team USA,” Team USA head coach Rod Ross said. “It was great to see the talent; I was pleasantly surprised. I had seen them a year ago and it’s amazing what they have done in a year.”

Low already has taken the step to Junior Team USA and looks forward to continuing the progression.

“Making this team was exciting, and making the next one will be even better.” said Low, the top qualifier at last year’s Junior Gold. “When I started to learn more about Team USA and what they do, it has motivated me. It would be great to have the opportunity to travel if I make the team.”

Crouse earned his selection to the U15 team by winning the division at the Junior Gold Championships despite losing his first match in bracket play.

“It’s probably one of the best opportunities of my life to train with these awesome coaches,” Bradley said. “This place is absolutely incredible. It’s like nothing I’ve seen, with all the camera angles.”

Clemmer, who was undefeated in the girls’ bracket to win the U15 Junior Gold title, said it is “an honor and privilege to be a part of the new developmental team, to come out here and train with the coaches. You get to learn new things such as lane patterns, and how to play them.”

Dunn, who was the top U15 qualifier at last year’s North Pointe Junior Gold Championships, gets to compete in the Tournament of the Americas for the second consecutive year. She won six medals and set a few tournament records along the way. With a new teammate, she’ll look to improve on the silver medal she won in doubles.

“We met at Junior Gold and we’ve talked a lot this week,” Dunn said of her U15 teammate Clemmer. “We should have fun in doubles.”

The U15 development team will compete in the Junior B (ages 12-15) division at the Lee Evans Tournament of the Americas. The tournament features players from across the American Zone competing for medals in singles, doubles, mixed doubles, mixed team and all-events.