The 2010 United States Bowling Congress Junior Gold Championships presented by Brunswick starts Monday, July 12, with the first of three days of qualifying.

More than 1,600 of the nation's top youth bowlers will be in Indianapolis not only to compete for $125,000 in scholarships, but for the chance to earn a spot on Junior Team USA. The tournament, which runs through July 16, is a test of skill, endurance and mental toughness.

Mike Conn of Crestwood, Ky., and Maggie Zakrzewski of Palatine, Ill., took home the titles in 2009 to earn their spot on Junior Team USA. What lessons did they learn en route to their titles? Click here to see what they have to say about the tournament.

Also, several Junior Team USA members, who are veterans of USBC Junior Gold Championships, offered tips for those competing in this year's event (see videos below).

Competition in the Junior Gold Championships starts with three qualifying rounds, which requires bowlers to roll six games each day on July 12, 13 and 14. At the end of the 18 games, the field will be cut to the top 150 males and top 78 females (all ties advance) for the semifinals. Semifinal competition, which consists of two six-game blocks, will be July 15. The top 16 males and top 16 females will earn spots in the match-play finals, which will take place July 16 and consist of 16 games of match play.

USBC plans to provide live video coverage on BOWL.com of the semifinal round on July 15 and the match-play finals on July 16. Coverage will begin at 9 a.m. (EST) each day.

Twelve competitors at the Junior Gold Championships will earn spots on 2011 Junior Team USA. The top four male and top four female finishers after match-play competition will automatically qualify for 2011 Junior Team USA, and the National Selection Committee will award four at-large spots - two male, two female - from the pool of athletes that make match-play finals.