Our Youth

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Pee Wee:  Ages 6 and under

Prep:  Ages 7-9

Bantam:  Ages 10-12

Junior:  Ages 13-15

Major:  Ages 16-21

NDYA bowlers compete in youth leagues throughout Connecticut, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Virginia.  Everyone plays regardless of ability or skill level.  Team formats vary from 2- to 5-bowler teams, and weekly records are kept for team statistics and individual averages.  An 80% handicap format ensures fairness in competition between teams of differing ages and talents. 

Most awards are based on pins over average and may be earned by all NDYA-sanctioned bowlers during league competition and other NDYA-sponsored tournaments.

Averages for awards are based on a minimum of 5 league sessions.

Will Carlson,  Dudek Lanes, Warren, R.I.

Will has been a member of the National Duckpin Youth Association for 18 years.  He started bowling at age 4 1/2 at Bowling Academy.  He finished up his youth career at Ducek's with a high game of 189 and a high set of 434.

Matthew Hudgins,  Glen Burnie Bowl, Glen Burnie, MD

Matthew began bowling in 1999 at Riviera Bowl, in Pasadena, MD. He transitioned to Glen Burnie Bowl when Riviera closed in 2007. He finishes his NDYA career with one last trip to Nationals, and a 206 high game and a 497 high set. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Salisbury in 2017 and is currently working on his Master’s in Education at Towson University. Upon graduating, he hopes to teach middle/high school biology. Matthew offers the following advice to younger duckpin bowlers:  Don’t be hard on yourself when you don’t bowl well. Keep your head in the game for your team and have fun.

Jeremy LaForge,  Dudek Lanes, Warren, R.I.

Jeremy has been a member of the National Duckpin Youth Association for 18 years.  He started bowling at age 4 1/2 at Dudek's.  In 2012, he and his team were Rhode Island State Champions and represented their state in the 39th Annual National Duckpin Youth Championships.

Bryan Lukenich,  Glen Burnie Bowl, Glen Burnie, MD

Bryan began bowling in 2000 at Riviera Bowl, in Pasadena, MD. He transitioned to Glen Burnie Bowl when Riviera closed in 2007 and finished his NDYA career bowling in the Saturday Junior/Major league with a high game of 164. Bryan currently works for Optiv Security and aspires to continue to move up in the Information Technology industry, and to find time to keep bowling of course.  He will begin studying Computer Science at University of Maryland University College this fall.  Bryan offers the following advice to younger duckpin bowlers: Enjoy what you like no matter what anyone else thinks and be confident in yourself.

Joey Marsiglia,  Glen Burnie Bowl, Glen Burnie, MD

Joey started bowling back in 2000 at Riviera Bowl, in Pasadena, MD, and finished his NDYA career bowling in the Saturday Junior/Major league with a high game of 178 and a high set of 428. He’s currently studying English Literature at Salisbury University, and is a Child Care Teacher at Lake Shore Elementary. He’s working toward becoming a college professor and a writer. Joey’s advice for younger bowlers would be – Cherish the moments; you will miss this and the many people there. The friends you make here will be the ones you keep forever, even through the bad times you had together. Roll on!

Jason McKenzie,  Dudek Lanes, Warren, R.I.

Jason has been an NDYA member for 14 years.  He started bowling at age 8 at Dudek Bowling Lanes.  In 2016, he and his team were Rhode Island State Champions, and went on to win the National Championships that year. Jason finished his NDYA career with a high game of 189 and a high set of 443. 

Kayla Oleson,  Wickford Lanes, North Kingstown, R.I. 

Kayla began bowling in 2008 at Wickford Lanes, N. Kingstown, RI after strong encouragement from one of her best friends! She completes her youth bowling with many accomplishments to include high game of 168; winning the National Championship Tournament in 2011 and 2014; several RI State Youth Tournament achievements; and RI Youth Invitation event participation for 5 years. In May, Kayla graduated from Wheelock College with a degree in Education/Visual Arts and will begin her graduate studies in September. Kayla is a shining star - always positive, smiling and has a bubbly personality! She adores children and in July, begins her career as a teacher in a school for Autistic children in Massachusetts. Sadly, her bowling career will be coming to an end but she has made a positive impact along the way!! She says that she will definitely miss bowling and regularly seeing the friends she has made along this journey. Reach for the stars Kayla! 

Michael Remeikis,  AMF Dundalk Lanes, Baltimore, MD 

Michael started bowling when he was 8 years old at AMF Eastpoint. When Eastpoint closed Michael moved to AMF Dundalk. Michael's high game is 194 and his high set is 472. Michael has bowled in the NDYA National Tournament 3 times. Michael graduated from Stevenson University with a degree in Business Administration.  He is currently in a Masters Degree program in Business and Technology Management. Michael played baseball all 4 years at Stevenson University and was a starting pitcher his senior year.

Michael Rosenfield,  Town Hall Lanes, Johnston, R.I. It is hard to find the words to tell the story of “Mikey” as he is known by all who have ever met this young man. He brought with him the most genuine enthusiasm of anyone I have ever met. Greeted everyone he passed with high fives. Mikey did not come bowling every week to break records or even to set them, he came to enlighten all of us with his charisma, his crazy personality, the smile that would melt any heart. He was the bright light of our Saturday mornings for 8 delightful years he spent with us. Mikey’s bowling achievements were not in numbers, not having any outstanding high sets or high games, but if you called his name for a weekly award, that beautiful smile and waving his arm in triumph were like he just won the Triple Crown, he had a way of wrapping everyone in the center around his wonderful personality. Just like the Coca Cola commercial “Go out and teach the world to sing again, in perfect harmony.” That was Mikey….. 

Zachary Richards,  Glen Burnie Bowl, Glen Burnie, MD 

Zach began bowling in 2010 at Glen Burnie Bowl and finished his NDYA career bowling in the Saturday Junior/ Major league with a high game of 199.  He is in his fourth year working for the Baltimore Orioles organization; and while the O’s are struggling this year, he remains a huge fan of the team.  Zach is also an assistant manager at Glen Burnie Bowl and plans to continue bowling in the adult leagues.  His advice for younger bowlers would be – Don’t get mad if you don’t throw strikes and spares because in the end every pin matters. 

Daniel Saul,  Walkersville Bowling Center, Walkersville, MD 

Daniel has been a NDYA member for 15 years. He is 21 and is a lifelong resident of Walkersville.  Daniel has overcome many challenges as he has autism and socializing is hard. With the help of the staff at Walkersville, and other bowlers he has learned to communicate and interact with others through bowling. He loves to help others and cheer and support them. This is Daniel’s second time bowling in the National Tournament. Daniel feels bowling is the best part of his week and looks forward to bowling as an adult for many years to come. 

Jessica Sheppard,  Turner’s Dual Lanes, Hagerstown, MD 

Jessica started bowling at village Lanes at the age of 7 and continued there until they closed. She later started bowling at Turner’s Dual Lanes in the 2010-2011 season. Jessica is a beautiful, quiet and shy young lady with Aspergers syndrome. Her teammates enjoy bowling with her because she keeps her cool and always tries with every ball. It also doesn’t hurt that she has contributed to placing on the first place team 6 years in a row. She and her family have been a great addition to our bowling program. They always have been encouraging and helpful to all of the other bowlers and will be greatly missed as they are now moving to Florida. Jessica ended her last winter season well by being on the first place team, earning a most improved bowler bobblehead award and having her highest average of 80. We wish you the best of luck in all your future endeavors. 

Robert (Robbee) Wetherbee, Jr.,  Victory Lanes, Portsmouth, VA 

Robbee began bowling in the NDYA at the age of 4. Through his 17 years of bowling, he has been a Mentor and role model for the younger and the older bowlers. His list of individual awards is highlighted by numerous Star of the Month awards, an All Mark Game (2013), a 201 Game (2018), and being named a Norm Fleury All American (2011). He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from Frostburg State University.