WYC: Semifinals set for girls singles

Amanda Greene of Romney, W.Va., had the high finish for Junior Team USA in the girls singles event at the 2012 World Tenpin Bowling Association World Youth Championships on Sunday.

McEwan Greene WYCGreene had a six-game total of 1,216 (202.6 average) to finish 12th in the opening event of the championships, which are taking place in Bangkok, Thailand. Only the top four in the standings advanced to the medal round.

Greene started the block strong with a 237 game before hitting some turbulence in Games 2 and 3 with 167 and 162. She closed out the block with 190, 236 and 224.

Earnest Muther singlesJessica Earnest of Vandalia, Ill., was the next highest finisher for the United States, ending up in 24th place with 1,180. Danielle McEwan of Stony Point, N.Y., finished 28th with 1,177, while Kelsey Muther of Topeka, Kan., was 38th with 1,146.

The Asian Zone took the top two spots in the qualifying standings with Malaysia's Hee Kar Ten leading the way with 1,298 (216.3 average). Kim Seon-Jeong of Korea was second with 1,291.

WYC Girls Singles FinalistsThe American Zone will claim at least two medals in the girls singles with Juliana Franco of Colombia finishing in the third position with 1,280, while Cristina Rodriguez of Puerto Rico qualified fourth with 1,260.

The top four players will compete in the semifinals on Tuesday with Malaysia battling Puerto Rico and Korea taking on Colombia. The winners battle for the gold medal, while the semifinals losers share the bronze.

The boys singles event also got underway Sunday with the first of four squads. No Junior Team USA players were on the opening squad.

Basil Low of Singapore set the score to beat with a blistering 1,449 (241.5). Sam Cooley of Australia sits in second, 132 pins back, with 1,317.

Junior Team USA's Chris Via of Springfield, Ohio, and Zack Hattori of Las Vegas will bowl on Monday's first squad, while Andrew Koff of Miami and Marshall Kent of Yakima, Wash., will compete on the final boys singles qualifying squad.

For more information on the 2012 World Youth Championships, visit WorldYouth2012.com.