LAKELAND, FLA. Three area teens vie in national pin meet

Mark Guthridge, Greyson Nolder and Rynette Nolder vied with some of the top young bowlers.
LAKELAND, Fla. -- Mark Guthridge of Boardman and Greyson Nolder and Rynette Nolder of Austintown competed in the USA Junior Gold National Bowling Championships recently.
Each participant advanced to the National Bowling Championships through local Junior Gold qualifying tournaments and leagues held throughout North America.
Approximately 1,000 athletes competed for $50,000 in scholarships, individual national titles and berths on 2003 Junior Team USA.
"This is the ultimate level of competition for Junior Golf members," said Jim Zebehazy, Young American Bowling Alliance Executive Director. "YABA's partnership with USA Bowling has created an elite event for our athletes.
"The Junior Gold program is a way for YABA to offer a unique and special program to its members."
Objective
The program's objective is to emphasize advanced training and coaching so youth bowlers can continue to progress and excel in the sport. Athletes must carry a minimum average of 165 for girls or 175 for boys to join the Junior Gold Program.
The three area teens completed three, six-game qualifying blocks at Cypress Lanes in Winter Haven and Interstate Lanes in Lakeland.
Guthridge placed 184th with 3,260 pinfall, while Greyson Nolder was 422nd with 3,048 for 18 games. Rynette Nolder was 203rd with 2,817.
The championships were conducted on ABC/WIBC sport bowling lane conditions.
Top eight make team
The top eight boys and girls will become members of the Junior Team USA, which will represent the U.S. in internatioinal youth competition in 2003. The team is designed to be part of a feeder system for Team USA, the U.S. national amateur team.
In the Gold Survivors Tournament, Greyson Nolder's 3,048 placed him 33rd. In the parent tournament, Rynette Nolder and Jacqui Nolder were 57th with 756.
An accompanying event, the Coca Cola Youth Bowling Championships, ends today at Cypress Lanes. More than 200 worldwide athletes are competing for $20,000 in scholarships and individual international titles.