Qualifiers determined for 2026 USA Bowling National Championships
May 14, 2026
ARLINGTON, Texas – Regional competition is complete and finalists have been determined for the 2026 USA Bowling National Championships that will take place July 8-9 in Minneapolis. Both the U12 and U15 divisions will feature 16 teams representing regions from around the country competing for a national championship.
BowlTV will provide live, start-to-finish coverage of the event from Lucky Strike Lakeville in suburban Minneapolis. Qualifying will take place on July 8 and will be followed by match play and the finals on July 9.
The winning team in each age-based division at each regional qualifier earned a spot at the national event, which will take place as a prelude to the 2026 Junior Gold Championships.
The USA Bowling program once again features more than $120,000 in scholarships for youth bowlers (divided among regionals and nationals).
The qualifying teams in the U12 division are as follows:
“After coaching in our first regional, we were hooked,” McGerr said. “It was so much fun! We loved the format, the atmosphere and how excited the kids were about bowling in the tournament. After a couple years of coaching the U15 team, we realized the benefits of also coaching a U12 team. The younger kids were just as excited to bowl as the U15 kids; plus, it gave us a feeder team. We could work on the kids’ skills starting at a younger age.”
McGerr sees a number of benefits for youth bowlers who participate in the USA Bowling program.
“Having multiple tournament opportunities is so beneficial for youth bowlers,” McGerr noted. “It gives them experience in different centers and on different oil patterns. They get to see different cities, meet new people and make new friends. The USA Bowling format teaches bowlers to work together more as a team, support each other through frustration and pressure and celebrate as a team.
“I just think USA Bowling is an important component of helping youth bowlers take an interest in and prepare for higher levels of competition,” McGerr continued. “Not every city or state has high school bowling, so this can give youth bowlers the chance to experience this exciting format. Our bowlers become very close during the time they are teammates. Plus, the scholarship opportunities attract more attention to the sport and help the participation levels.”
And, while Patty prepares her U12 team for nationals, her husband Darvin is doing the same with his U15 Minnesota Otters Blue team that also earned a spot.
“It's exciting that both teams qualified for nationals,” Patty said. “The Starfish (U12) look up to the Otters (U15) and know they will fill their shoes one day. The Otters take the Starfish under their wings and act as great role models for the younger players.”
The qualifying teams in the U15 division are as follows:
Nofuente has coached a handful of teams in USA Bowling, but 2018 and this year mark the two times he’s made it to nationals.
Nofuente noted that Rayne hadn’t been bowling for an exceptionally long period of time before he approached her about putting together a team to compete in USA Bowling.
“Even though she was still trying to get the feel of bowling, I asked her if she thought her parents would allow her to bowl in this event, and I wanted her to trust me that I’d put a good team together,” Nofuente said. “She asked her parents, they agreed and I told her we’d prepare and do our best, and if we get to nationals, we get to nationals. And now, here we are.”
Nofuente works with a lot of kids in the Sacramento area and used his knowledge of those bowlers to put together a team he felt would be competitive despite those bowlers not having any real experience bowling in the Baker format.
“Ever since I started coaching in USA Bowling, I’ve always felt that it was a great way for youth bowlers to understand team bowling,” said Nofuente. “And not just being a team on the lanes, but off the lanes as well. I believe that if you get along as a team off the lanes, then you have a much better chance of success on the lanes.”
Nofuente also was quick to point out another benefit of the program.
“USA Bowling has done a tremendous job of adapting and revising the program for the better, especially by introducing scholarship opportunities,” Nofuente said. “I know the hope is that offering scholarships will make the program even stronger.”
In addition to the team aspect and the scholarships, Nofuente said the chance to practice and bowl on more challenging lane conditions is another positive aspect of the USA Bowling program. But, above all those things, Nofuente cited a character-building aspect the program instills.
“I would say it’s the camaraderie and working together to be successful,” Nofuente said. “Baker-style bowling puts these kids in pressure situations that I believe allows these young athletes to learn and grow whether they win or lose.”
More information about USA Bowling can be found by clicking here.
BowlTV will provide live, start-to-finish coverage of the event from Lucky Strike Lakeville in suburban Minneapolis. Qualifying will take place on July 8 and will be followed by match play and the finals on July 9.
The winning team in each age-based division at each regional qualifier earned a spot at the national event, which will take place as a prelude to the 2026 Junior Gold Championships.
The USA Bowling program once again features more than $120,000 in scholarships for youth bowlers (divided among regionals and nationals).
The qualifying teams in the U12 division are as follows:
- Upper Midwest Region – Minnesota Starfish
- Lower Great Lakes Region – Elite Youth Stars
- Northeast Region – DKJ Pro Shop
- Coastal South Region – Shore Lanes Bowler Rollers
- South Central Region – Lonestar Strikers
- Atlantic East Region – Orb Driller’s Pro Shop
- Heartland Region – ISST Future Stars
- Pacific Region – Next-Gen Strike Squad
- South Region – The Bowling Stones
- Mountain Region – Mountain Minions
- New England Region – Maple Minions
- Southeast Region – Beast 3.1
- Southwest Region – Brooklyn Bros
- Upper Great Lakes Region – Silver Bowl
- Midwest Region – The Avengers
- Mideast Region – Al Mar All Stars
“After coaching in our first regional, we were hooked,” McGerr said. “It was so much fun! We loved the format, the atmosphere and how excited the kids were about bowling in the tournament. After a couple years of coaching the U15 team, we realized the benefits of also coaching a U12 team. The younger kids were just as excited to bowl as the U15 kids; plus, it gave us a feeder team. We could work on the kids’ skills starting at a younger age.”
McGerr sees a number of benefits for youth bowlers who participate in the USA Bowling program.
“Having multiple tournament opportunities is so beneficial for youth bowlers,” McGerr noted. “It gives them experience in different centers and on different oil patterns. They get to see different cities, meet new people and make new friends. The USA Bowling format teaches bowlers to work together more as a team, support each other through frustration and pressure and celebrate as a team.
“I just think USA Bowling is an important component of helping youth bowlers take an interest in and prepare for higher levels of competition,” McGerr continued. “Not every city or state has high school bowling, so this can give youth bowlers the chance to experience this exciting format. Our bowlers become very close during the time they are teammates. Plus, the scholarship opportunities attract more attention to the sport and help the participation levels.”
And, while Patty prepares her U12 team for nationals, her husband Darvin is doing the same with his U15 Minnesota Otters Blue team that also earned a spot.
“It's exciting that both teams qualified for nationals,” Patty said. “The Starfish (U12) look up to the Otters (U15) and know they will fill their shoes one day. The Otters take the Starfish under their wings and act as great role models for the younger players.”
The qualifying teams in the U15 division are as follows:
- Upper Midwest Region – Midwest Intimidators
- Lower Great Lakes Region – LeBron James Elite
- Northeast Region – Strikers 3.0
- Coastal South Region – Rage Bait
- South Central Region – Lone Star Triad Elite
- Atlantic East Region – 2 Up 2 Down
- Heartland Region – 3 Gs & a B
- Pacific Region – Made You Look
- South Region – Stars & Strikes
- Mountain Region – Rocky Mountain Fierce Five
- New England Region – DKJ Pro Shop
- Southeast Region – NC All Stars
- Southwest Region – Desert Strikers
- Mideast Region – Tenpin Titans
- Upper Great Lakes Region – Minnesota Otters Blue
- Midwest Region – Hromek’s Pro Shop
Nofuente has coached a handful of teams in USA Bowling, but 2018 and this year mark the two times he’s made it to nationals.
Nofuente noted that Rayne hadn’t been bowling for an exceptionally long period of time before he approached her about putting together a team to compete in USA Bowling.
“Even though she was still trying to get the feel of bowling, I asked her if she thought her parents would allow her to bowl in this event, and I wanted her to trust me that I’d put a good team together,” Nofuente said. “She asked her parents, they agreed and I told her we’d prepare and do our best, and if we get to nationals, we get to nationals. And now, here we are.”
Nofuente works with a lot of kids in the Sacramento area and used his knowledge of those bowlers to put together a team he felt would be competitive despite those bowlers not having any real experience bowling in the Baker format.
“Ever since I started coaching in USA Bowling, I’ve always felt that it was a great way for youth bowlers to understand team bowling,” said Nofuente. “And not just being a team on the lanes, but off the lanes as well. I believe that if you get along as a team off the lanes, then you have a much better chance of success on the lanes.”
Nofuente also was quick to point out another benefit of the program.
“USA Bowling has done a tremendous job of adapting and revising the program for the better, especially by introducing scholarship opportunities,” Nofuente said. “I know the hope is that offering scholarships will make the program even stronger.”
In addition to the team aspect and the scholarships, Nofuente said the chance to practice and bowl on more challenging lane conditions is another positive aspect of the USA Bowling program. But, above all those things, Nofuente cited a character-building aspect the program instills.
“I would say it’s the camaraderie and working together to be successful,” Nofuente said. “Baker-style bowling puts these kids in pressure situations that I believe allows these young athletes to learn and grow whether they win or lose.”
More information about USA Bowling can be found by clicking here.