Three weekend events kick off Week 2 at 2023 Junior Gold Championships
July 17, 2023
INDIANAPOLIS – Week 1 of the 2023 Junior Gold Championships concluded Thursday with winners being crowned in the U20 division and, in the 2023 USA Bowling National Championships, the U12 and U15 divisions.
The finals of those three divisions can be seen on upcoming CBS Sports Network telecasts beginning with the USA Bowling National Championships telecasts on July 18 (U12) and July 25 (U15) at 7 p.m. Eastern. The finals of the Junior Gold Championships U20 division will be televised on Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. Eastern.
With those events in the books and competition not resuming until Monday in the Junior Gold Championships U18, U15 and U12 divisions, competitors took the opportunity to enjoy the Junior Gold Trade Show, Party in the Park and Opening Ceremonies over the weekend.
The Junior Gold Trade Show and registration for U12, U15 and U18 athletes took place Saturday at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. The show featured more than 110 total vendors, including 84 colleges and universities.
“It’s definitely a good turnout and there’s lots of colleges to meet and talk to, which provides huge opportunity,” said U18 competitor Danica Roseberry of Dayton, Ohio. “This is my first time at Junior Gold, so I think this trade show is really interesting and there’s good energy here. It’s just a good experience overall.”
Because this year’s event is the 25th edition of the Junior Gold Championships, the trade show also featured a history walk celebrating past events and champions. Banners listing the names of past winners will be on display at all six competition bowling centers.
For many of the participants, the highlight of the day was getting to meet and get autographs from their favorite Professional Women’s Bowling Association and/or Professional Bowlers Association tour players. Pros from each of the ball companies – Brunswick, Motiv and Storm – were on hand, and the line for autographs was consistently several rows deep.
When asked if he had a favorite pro that he was looking forward to meeting, U18 competitor Michael Jones couldn’t pick just one.
“There are so many great pros here, so I’m just looking forward to meeting all of them,” Jones said. “The great part about this is that it’s the one time of the year where there are so many of them in one place.”
While Jones was appreciative of the chance to meet a wide variety of pros, fellow 18-and-under competitor Jacee Correa of Porterville, California, definitely had his favorites.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting Brad and Kyle,” Correa said, referring to PBA champions Brad Smith and Kyle Sherman who, in addition to being champions, also are famous for their bowling YouTube channel. “I’ve been watching them for almost a year now and they’re pretty cool and inspiring to me.”
After Saturday’s Trade Show, the scene shifted outdoors Sunday to White River State Park near downtown Indianapolis for the Junior Gold Party in the Park. From there, participants and their families ventured across the street for Opening Ceremonies at Victory Field, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ AAA-affiliate Indianapolis Indians.
Party in the Park featured several event sponsors like Brunswick, I Am Bowling, Motiv, Roto Grip and Storm Products, plus a DJ and several fun activities including outdoor games such as cornhole, along with equipment to utilize such as footballs, soccer balls and frisbees. Several food trucks were on hand, and staff members and pro athletes from the sponsoring partners were there to mix and mingle.
First-time Junior Gold competitor Kiana Brooks of Porter, Texas, was impressed with the Party in the Park experience.
“This is pretty cool,” said Brooks, who will compete in the U15 division. “Other bowling tournaments I’ve been to, they’ve never had anything like this. You just go and bowl and that’s it. This is great because you get to meet everyone that’s bowling in the tournament and there’s all kinds of food and activities. Plus, you can meet some pros and even win scholarship money.”
And, despite a hot and humid day, U12 competitor Justin Passaro of Vernon, New Jersey, found a way to beat the heat.
“I really like this so far,” said Passaro. “I like all the games and food and everything, but my favorite part has been the place where you can get wet and soaked so that I can cool off.”
Once Party in the Park wrapped up, it was off to the Opening Ceremonies which featured the state-by-state athlete parade, presentation of the 2022-2023 Dexter All-American Team, I AM Bowling Scholarship winners, an Athlete Talent Showcase and live music, all of which concluded a busy, but fun, weekend for the Junior Gold competitors.
BowlTV.com is providing live coverage of the 2023 Junior Gold Championships up until the finals, which are being taped for telecast by CBS Sports Network. Qualifying in the U18, U15 and U12 division starts Monday.
The finals of those three divisions can be seen on upcoming CBS Sports Network telecasts beginning with the USA Bowling National Championships telecasts on July 18 (U12) and July 25 (U15) at 7 p.m. Eastern. The finals of the Junior Gold Championships U20 division will be televised on Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. Eastern.
With those events in the books and competition not resuming until Monday in the Junior Gold Championships U18, U15 and U12 divisions, competitors took the opportunity to enjoy the Junior Gold Trade Show, Party in the Park and Opening Ceremonies over the weekend.
The Junior Gold Trade Show and registration for U12, U15 and U18 athletes took place Saturday at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. The show featured more than 110 total vendors, including 84 colleges and universities.
“It’s definitely a good turnout and there’s lots of colleges to meet and talk to, which provides huge opportunity,” said U18 competitor Danica Roseberry of Dayton, Ohio. “This is my first time at Junior Gold, so I think this trade show is really interesting and there’s good energy here. It’s just a good experience overall.”
Because this year’s event is the 25th edition of the Junior Gold Championships, the trade show also featured a history walk celebrating past events and champions. Banners listing the names of past winners will be on display at all six competition bowling centers.
For many of the participants, the highlight of the day was getting to meet and get autographs from their favorite Professional Women’s Bowling Association and/or Professional Bowlers Association tour players. Pros from each of the ball companies – Brunswick, Motiv and Storm – were on hand, and the line for autographs was consistently several rows deep.
When asked if he had a favorite pro that he was looking forward to meeting, U18 competitor Michael Jones couldn’t pick just one.
“There are so many great pros here, so I’m just looking forward to meeting all of them,” Jones said. “The great part about this is that it’s the one time of the year where there are so many of them in one place.”
While Jones was appreciative of the chance to meet a wide variety of pros, fellow 18-and-under competitor Jacee Correa of Porterville, California, definitely had his favorites.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting Brad and Kyle,” Correa said, referring to PBA champions Brad Smith and Kyle Sherman who, in addition to being champions, also are famous for their bowling YouTube channel. “I’ve been watching them for almost a year now and they’re pretty cool and inspiring to me.”
After Saturday’s Trade Show, the scene shifted outdoors Sunday to White River State Park near downtown Indianapolis for the Junior Gold Party in the Park. From there, participants and their families ventured across the street for Opening Ceremonies at Victory Field, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ AAA-affiliate Indianapolis Indians.
Party in the Park featured several event sponsors like Brunswick, I Am Bowling, Motiv, Roto Grip and Storm Products, plus a DJ and several fun activities including outdoor games such as cornhole, along with equipment to utilize such as footballs, soccer balls and frisbees. Several food trucks were on hand, and staff members and pro athletes from the sponsoring partners were there to mix and mingle.
First-time Junior Gold competitor Kiana Brooks of Porter, Texas, was impressed with the Party in the Park experience.
“This is pretty cool,” said Brooks, who will compete in the U15 division. “Other bowling tournaments I’ve been to, they’ve never had anything like this. You just go and bowl and that’s it. This is great because you get to meet everyone that’s bowling in the tournament and there’s all kinds of food and activities. Plus, you can meet some pros and even win scholarship money.”
And, despite a hot and humid day, U12 competitor Justin Passaro of Vernon, New Jersey, found a way to beat the heat.
“I really like this so far,” said Passaro. “I like all the games and food and everything, but my favorite part has been the place where you can get wet and soaked so that I can cool off.”
Once Party in the Park wrapped up, it was off to the Opening Ceremonies which featured the state-by-state athlete parade, presentation of the 2022-2023 Dexter All-American Team, I AM Bowling Scholarship winners, an Athlete Talent Showcase and live music, all of which concluded a busy, but fun, weekend for the Junior Gold competitors.
BowlTV.com is providing live coverage of the 2023 Junior Gold Championships up until the finals, which are being taped for telecast by CBS Sports Network. Qualifying in the U18, U15 and U12 division starts Monday.