BRIGHAM CITY, Utah – Storm Products is thrilled to announce the upcoming 2025 Storm Youth Championships (SYC) season, featuring eight events across the United States.
The SYC journey began in 2017 at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada. Since then, we've explored new cities each year, revisited fan-favorite locations, connected with over 9,300 youth athletes and their families, and awarded more than $900,000 in scholarship funds.
"Since our inaugural event in 2017, the SYC has become a cornerstone in youth bowling, welcoming young athletes and their families to celebrate the sport's best aspects," said Leanne Hulsenberg, Tournament Director of the SYC. "Our mission remains unchanged: to create world-class experiences for youth athletes and their families in their own backyards. At every SYC, we encourage participants to build new friendships, learn on the lanes, and contribute to the bowling community by supporting our chosen charities."
For 2025, we're excited to present a schedule of eight events, including a return to some beloved venues and the introduction of new locations, continuing our quest to bring national-level competition closer to home for more families.
2025 SYC Schedule:
- February 15-16, 2025: SYC Nevada – South Point, Las Vegas, NV
- April 12-13, 2025: SYC Rhode Island – East Providence Lanes, Rumford, RI
- May 24-25, 2025: SYC Michigan – Royal Scot Golf & Bowl, Lansing, MI
- June 20-22, 2025: SYC Super Slam New Jersey – N. Brunswick, NJ
- August 9-10, 2025: SYC Idaho – Westy's Garden Lanes, Boise, ID
- September 13-14, 2025: SYC Tennessee – Smyrna Bowling Center, Smyrna, TN
- October 11-12, 2025: SYC Coastal Classic – Planet Fun, Shallotte, NC & Little River Lanes, Little River, SC
- November 15-16, 2025: SYC Texas – Cityview Lanes, Fort Worth, TX
The Events
Our SYC Team continues to create events that foster a welcoming environment where youth bowlers and their families can explore great bowling communities, build new friendships, and hone their skills by competing on challenging lane conditions developed by our sponsor, KEGEL. Each event offers optional activities for bowlers, including educational seminars led by Team Storm members and practice sessions on the tournament patterns. We also host social activities to help SYC families connect off the lanes when our schedule permits.
"At the SYC, our focus is always on the guest," Hulsenberg added. "Our dedicated team of volunteers is committed to ensuring each family has a memorable experience. Beyond the competition, we aim to connect athletes and their families with opportunities in the sport through unique experiences and education. It's been a privilege to witness the growth of youth athletes, the emergence of champions, and the formation of lasting friendships among participants and their families."
Medal ceremonies recognize the top three bowlers in each gender and age-based division with bronze, silver, and gold medals. Scholarship funds are awarded based on final placement in the event and overall champions receive a special SYC trophy, medal, and a banner that will be displayed at future SYC events until they age out of competition.
The season includes one "major" event where we select the top two overall youth bowlers in each division for the Storm SYC All-American Team. In 2025, this honor will be claimed at the SYC Super Slam in New Jersey.
Our partnership with PBA Jr. continues in 2025, offering a Never Give Up Scholarship at each event and hosting a PBA Jr. Affiliate Major. PBA Jr. members competing in these events will be eligible for a PBA Jr. Title, Tier 2 PBA Jr. Points, and a PBA Jr. Banner.
In 2024, Coolwick was named the official merchandiser for the SYC. The athletes and their families arrive with excitement and anticipation at every SYC event. They have come to expect an SYC Gear area filled with a collection of creative bowling gear only available at the events. The team at Coolwick has created innovative and high-quality items and make them available in-person at all the events in 2024. A portion of all the SYC merchandise sold is donated by Coolwick to the scholarship fund. In addition, Coolwick Apparel has created a Storm Youth Championships Apparel website that showcases the SYC collection, featuring exclusive designs that capture the spirit of the Storm Youth Championships. You can visit https://www.stormyouthchampionships.com/ to see the full lineup of gear.
GIVING BACK AND DOING GOOD FOR OTHERS
Charitable giving remains a cornerstone of the SYC, aligning with Storm Products Inc.'s long-standing commitment to community support. We continue our partnerships with two key initiatives: Ballard vs the Big "C" (BVBC) and Make-A-Wish Utah.
From every entry, $5 is donated to Make-A-Wish® Utah, an organization that grants life-changing wishes for children facing critical illnesses. "The power of kids helping kids is immeasurable," said Leanne Hulsenberg, Tournament and Events Manager at Storm Products. "We're excited to continue sharing Make-A-Wish Utah's mission with our SYC families and contribute to granting more life-changing wishes."
Another $5 from each entry supports BVBC, a non-profit founded by bowling Hall-of-Famers Del and Carolyn Ballard. Since 2017, we've raised over $80,000 through entries alone to support cancer research and treatment, specifically for head, neck, and throat cancer, through the sport of bowling.
"BVBC and the Ballard Family have been integral to the SYC since its inception," Hulsenberg noted. "We're proud to continue supporting BVBC as they unite the bowling community in support of those battling cancer."
CHOOSING THE HOST BOWLING CENTERS
The demand from centers across the country to host an SYC has grown significantly. We carefully select venues that share our passion for growing the sport of bowling and giving back to the community. Many of our host centers contribute generous donations to the local event's scholarship fund.
We're particularly excited to return to South Point Bowling Plaza in Las Vegas for our 2025 season opener, addressing the challenge we faced in 2024 for West Coast participants.
The Champions
SYC Champions continue to demonstrate their dedication to the sport of bowling after the event concludes. Many continue to find ways to give back to their local communities and encourage other youth athletes to participate in competitive activities or even find ways to start their own youth tournaments to grow the sport.
Many champions continue to excel in the sport, with many going on to compete at collegiate and professional levels. Notable achievements include Spencer Robarge and Jillian Martin, who each earned 12 SYC titles. Robarge, now at Wichita State University, has garnered numerous collegiate accolades, while Martin became the youngest PWBA Champion at 17 and continues to make waves on the professional circuit winning the USBC Queens title in 2024.
Junior Team USA member, Gianna Brandolino, age 16, recently made history by earning her 13th SYC title at the 2024 SYC New York. This achievement makes her the most decorated SYC bowler ever. Brandolino earned her first SYC title at the first event she bowled in Smyrna in 2019 and is always in contention at each SYC she chooses to attend.
Entering an SYC
Due to high demand, SYC events often sell out quickly. We maintain a waiting list for each event and accept entries on a first-come, first-serve basis. Detailed tournament guides will be available on our website as each event approaches. In 2024, Pinwheel.us Software became a sponsor of the SYC and provides a better online registration system for each event.
Entries for the first event of 2025 in Las Vegas will open in late December 2024. We're grateful for our partnerships with companies that enhance the SYC experience, including Storm, Coolwick Apparel, PBA Junior, Kegel, Turbo 2-n-1 Grips, 3G Shoes, Ballard's Bowling Academy, Quality Respite & Home Care, Inc., T&D Transportation, Raze Eyewear, Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles Tournament, and Carol Norman’s U Can Bowl 2 Pro Shop. Live scoring continues to be provided through BowlMetrix, the official scoring system of the SYC. Online registration is provided by Pinwheel.us.
For information on becoming a supporting sponsor of the Storm Youth Championships or to learn more about our events, please contact our SYC Team at syc@stormbowling.com. Join us in 2025 as we continue to grow the sport of bowling, fostering young talent, and make a positive impact in communities across the nation.