Youth Ambassadors of the Year selected

ARLINGTON, Texas - Samantha Schnur of Bel Air, Md., and Conner Sarich of Columbus, Ohio, have been selected as the 2013 United States Bowling Congress Youth Ambassadors of the Year by the USBC Youth Committee.

The award annually recognizes one female and one male USBC Youth bowler for exemplary contributions to the sport, academic accomplishments and community involvement.

Samantha Schnur2Schnur, 20, who began bowling when she was 6, attends Harford Community College and is working toward a degree in nursing. When she was 10, her mother became a member of the Harford County Women's Bowling Association, and Schnur would attend board meetings and assist with tournaments.

She became a member of the Cecil-Harford USBC Youth Board in 2009 and has served as co-chair of the Ways and Means Committee the last four years. She was named the Maryland State USBC Star of Tomorrow in 2012.

In high school, she started the bowling club at Patterson Mill High School in 2008 and was team captain each season. Following her graduation, she returned to coach the high school team to keep the program active.

"Receiving the Youth Ambassador of the Year Award means the world to me," Schnur said. "Bowling is my entire life and it is a tremendous honor to be chosen to represent youth bowling.  All I have ever wanted was to make bowling a more popular sport and get the respect it deserves. I feel with this title, I will have access to new and better ways to get youth leagues packed the way they were when I was younger."

Conner Sarich2Sarich, 19, is a freshman at Ohio State University. He is in the Ohio State Engineering Scholars Program, majoring in Welding Engineering, and is a member of the school's bowling team.

He attended Grandview Heights High School, where he helped start the bowling program by recruiting bowlers and promoting the team. He also earned varsity letters in golf, tennis and wrestling and was a member of the marching band and jazz band. He was named an Academic All-Ohio Bowler for his success in the classroom during his junior and senior years.

Sarich was a volunteer coach at Grandview Heights High School this season. He also currently serves on the Central Ohio USBC Youth committee.

"It means a lot to receive this award," Sarich said. "I believe getting new bowlers is something every bowler can do.  It can be something as simple as going with friends on a Saturday night or getting people to join a league.  This award means a lot to me because I feel like I received this award not as a player or a coach but as a promoter of the sport."

For being selected as the USBC Youth Ambassadors, Schnur and Sarich each will receive a $1,500 scholarship. They will be presented their awards at the USBC Convention in Reno, Nev., and one of the winners may have the opportunity to be selected to serve on the USBC Youth Committee.

Visit BOWL.com/scholarships to learn more about scholarships and awards available through USBC.