Storm JR. Team 2026

Last Updated: January 6th, 2026
14 min read
By Storm Products Inc.

BRIGHAM CITY, Utah – Storm Products is proud to welcome twelve new members to the 2026 Storm JR. Team, an elite group of youth ambassadors who represent the very best of Storm’s youth bowling community.

The Storm JR. Team is made up of young athletes who actively participate in Storm’s youth initiatives while bringing passion and positivity to the lanes. These athletes don’t just bowl at a high level, they lead, inspire, and help shape the future of the sport.

Reserved for a select group of exceptional youth players, the Storm JR. Team recognizes athletes who have fully engaged in the monthly lessons of the Evolution Program while remaining loyal to Storm Products through their equipment choices and brand support. Members of the team rank among the top competitors in their age groups nationwide and excel well beyond competition. They maintain strong academic performance, give back to their communities, and treat others with respect.

The Storm JR. Team and Evolution Program are led by Leanne Hulsenberg, USBC and PWBA Hall of Fame member and Tournament & Events Manager at Storm Products.

“The Storm JR. Team continues to be a powerful stepping stone for young athletes who dream of competing at the highest levels of our sport,” Hulsenberg said. “This program bridges the gap between youth bowling and our professional teams, while teaching values that extend far beyond competition. These athletes are leaders, role models, and ambassadors who show how bowling can positively impact young lives.”

The returning athletes on the 2026 Storm JR. Team include:
Anna Antony, Alyssa Bechtol, Ryan Burgess, Malia Briggs, Alex Crowley, Lindsay Greim, Emmanuel Guevara, Micah Jensen, Taylor Kretz, Dohoon Kwon, Brady McDonough, Christian Mouton, Savannah Portillo, Matteo Quintero, Ernesto Reynoso, Larielle Tharps, Aiden Watts, and Jos Weems.

The new additions to the 2026 Storm JR. Team are:
Tyler Anderson, Cameron Bennett, Lea Besevic, Emma Lester, Ben Linares, Taryn Murphy, Kylie Oppedisano, Tyler Paulus, Ridgely Potter Jr., Mel Sim Jr., Autumn Strode, and Sebby Vetter.

“These athletes have consistently shown dedication to improvement, loyalty to Storm, and a genuine love for the game,” Hulsenberg added. “What truly sets them apart is their ability to inspire others. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and they play a vital role in welcoming new youth bowlers into the sport.”

The Storm JR. Team program also emphasizes the importance of family involvement. Each athlete’s parent or legal guardian is an active part of the journey, ensuring a strong support system as these young bowlers continue developing their skills, character, and future in the sport.


Tyler Anderson

Tyler Anderson

Maryland

I started competitive bowling when I was 11 years old. I love the challenge of sport patterns—such as reading the lanes and figuring out the right ball motion to score when the lanes get tricky. I’m grateful for the chance to be part of the Storm JR Team, and I’m excited to learn from the program, represent Storm with good sportsmanship, and keep growing—one frame at a time.


Accomplishments

  • 2025 Junior Gold Top 12 Finish
  • 2025 USBC Youth Open Eagle Winner (Team Scratch)
  • 2025 PBA Jr East Regional Champion (includes a 1283 block with a 300)
  • 2025 PBA Jr South Regional Runner Up
  • 2025 Parker Bohn Scholarship Tournament Champion
  • 2025 USA Bowling Nationals Third Place
  • 2025 Storm US National Junior Team Challenge Champion (Team, Doubles, Triples)
  • 2024 Storm US National Junior Team Challenge Champion (Team, Doubles, Baker Doubles)
  • 2024 USA Bowling Nationals Second Place
  • 5 Perfect 300 Games
  • 19 SYC Medals
  • 5 Bowlero Youth Championships
  • 2 Maryland Youth Open Championships
  • 2 Maryland Pepsi Championships
  • Elite Youth Tour Champion
  • Storm Mid-Atlantic Champion
  • Hammer Youth Open Champion
  • Southern Shootout Champion
  • 4th Annual Thomas Damon Champion
Cameron Bennett

Cameron Bennett

Maryland

I have been bowling for as long as I can remember. My parents are bowlers and my dad used to own pro shops, so I grew up in the bowling alley. I would like to bowl in college, and I am just starting to look at schools. I am thankful for all the opportunities bowling has given me and the friends I have made because of it.


Accomplishments

  • 2023 U15 Maryland State Pepsi Champion
  • 2023 Storm Mid-Atlantic Champion
  • 2024 U15 Storm US National Team Challenge Champion
  • 2025 SYC Super Slam U15 Champion
  • 2025 U15 Virginia State Pepsi Champion
  • 2025 U15 Storm US National Team Challenge Champion
  • 2 Perfect 300 Games
  • 1 800 Series
  • 5 SYC Medals
Lea Besevic

Lea Besevic

Illinois

Bowling became a huge part of my life in a way I never expected. I started bowling in 2023 after my mom saw a flyer for a bowling program at my school. At first, I only tried it out for fun and didn’t think much of it. I had played tennis before and thought that would always be my main sport. However, once I started bowling, everything changed. Bowling is not just a hobby for me anymore—it is something I am passionate about and dedicate a lot of time to.


Accomplishments

  • 2024–25 Rockford Area USBC Youth All Star U15 Girls Bowler of the Year
  • 2024 Junior Gold U12 Girls – 4th Place
  • 2025 Junior Gold U15 Girls – 9th Place
  • Illinois State Scholarship Tour – 2x Runner Up (Girls Scratch)
  • 2x SYC Champion
  • 7 Elite Youth Tour Titles
  • Midwest Youth Main Event Champion (3 Gold Medals)
  • 2x Illinois Pepsi Champion (U12 – 2024, U15 – 2025)
  • 2025 Heartland Regional Champion
  • Great Lakes Junior Gold Tour Champion
  • Back-to-Back Illinois All Star Shootout Champion (2024, 2025)
  • 2025 IESA Sectionals Champion – Individual & Team
  • 2025 IESA State Champion – Individual & Team
  • 2 WYBT Titles
  • 2025 Serbian National Federation Women’s Scratch Champion
  • 2025 Serbian National Federation Women’s Scratch High Game
Emma Lester

Emma Lester

Alabama

Hi, my name is Emma! I started bowling when I was 11 years old and I've been in love with the sport ever since. Bowling has really given me a sense of purpose and the passion I have for the sport is a flame that can never be put out. I am very grateful for this opportunity to be on Storm Jr. Staff and get to represent the brand that's been my favorite since I first started bowling.


Accomplishments

  • 2024–2025 GYBT Bowler of the Year
  • 13x GYBT Champion (1 Major)
  • 2x YATS Champion
  • 5x SYC Medalist
  • 2025 Junior Gold – 9th Place
Ben Linares

Ben Linares

North Carolina

I am extremely honored to be a part of the Storm Staff family and look forward to learning about and promoting the brand that has meant so much to me. Bowling has taught me so many lessons that I can take with me in these next phases of my bowling career.


Accomplishments

  • North Carolina All Stars – Bowler of the Year Award 2025, MVP Award 2024
  • USBC Youth Open Eagle Champion (Team) 2022
  • USA Bowling Atlantic East Regional Champion 2025, Southeast Regional Champion 2020
  • Storm US National Junior Team Challenge Champion (Team) 2025
  • U8, U10, U12, U15 NC Pepsi Champion
  • SYC Super Slam Champions 2025
  • NC State Team Champion 2023
  • 1x SYC Coastal Classic Champion
  • 6x Tough Shots Tour Champion
  • 2x Beast of the East Champion
  • PBA Jr. Regional Medalist
Taryn Murphy

Taryn Murphy

New York

I have been bowling for 10 years but started competing just 3 years ago! Bowling has always been a big part of my life whether it was watching my dad at league or trying to master it myself. It has always provided me a sense of comfort and given me many new friends along the way. Bowling has changed my life in the best ways possible and I am so thankful for the opportunities I have been given! None of what I do would be possible without my parents, coach Mike Tryniski, and the wonderful family at Storm!


Accomplishments

  • 6 YBT Titles (Central New York)
  • Part of 2-time defending New York State Section 3 Championship Team
  • 1 SYC Title
  • 2023 Youth Open Championship Doubles Title
Kylie Oppedisano

Kylie Oppedisano

Connecticut

I started bowling when I was 10 years old and started to really compete when I was 12. I love meeting new people, as well as making new friends from all over! I am so incredibly grateful for all bowling has brought to me and can’t wait to see where else I can grow as a bowler.


Accomplishments

  • Developmental Jr Team USA 2025–2026
  • 3x State Doubles Champion
  • 1x State Singles Champion
  • 2x County State Junior Adult Champion
  • 1x U12 Girls State Pepsi Champion
  • 2023 Women's Youth Bowler of the Year
  • 10x Storm Youth Championship Medalist
  • 2x Storm Team Challenge Trio Champion
  • 1x Storm Team Challenge Doubles Champion
  • Top 5 Finish at 2025 Junior Gold Championships
  • 2025–2026 Youth Open Championships – Doubles U18 Girls Champion
  • 2025 Parker Bohn Scholarship U15 Girls Champion
Tyler Paulus

Tyler Paulus

Illinois

Over the last 9 years I have learned so much about myself and the sport I love. Bowling has helped me grow both on and off the lanes. I am thankful for all the friends I have made along the way and for the amazing opportunities bowling has provided.


Accomplishments

  • 2024 USA Bowling National Team Champion – Heartland
  • 2024 MJMA Sagano Sport Challenge Champion
  • 2024 National Youth Team Bowling Champion
  • 2024 AYBT Easter Doubles Champion
  • 2023 USA Bowling National Team Champion
  • 2023 MJMA Wes Gibson Memorial Open Champion
  • 2023 MJMA Adult/Youth Doubles Champion
  • 2022 AYBT Easter Doubles Champion
  • 2022 USA Bowling National Team Champion
  • 2022 Great Lakes Jr Gold Tour Champion
  • 2021 Elite Youth Tour Youth/Adult Champion
  • 2020 Elite Youth Tour Participant
  • Present Mindset Gear Youth Ambassador
  • 2024 Present Elite Youth Tour Council Member
  • 2023 Illinois High School Association “Individual All-State” Honors
Ridgley Potter Jr.

Ridgley Potter Jr.

Florida

I have been fortunate enough to travel the US bowling in tournaments, have met so many great people, and learned a lot about myself and the sport. Bowling is my primary sport, but I also enjoy golf and basketball. I truly appreciate this opportunity to represent Storm.


Accomplishments

  • USA Bowling National Champion
  • 2x PBA Jr Regional Champion
  • 2x PBA Jr National Championship Finalist
  • Youth Open Singles Eagle Champion
  • 2x Florida State Youth Tournament Champion
  • 2x Florida Pepsi State Champion
  • 5x EYT Champion (1 Major)
  • Junior Gold Finalist (Top Seed)
  • 4x Kegel Youth Points Series Champion
  • Storm NJYBT Baker Doubles & Triples Champion
  • PBA Jr Strikeforce Boys All-Star Team
  • Level 1 Youth Bowling Coach
  • 5 Perfect 300 Games
  • High Honor Roll
  • Exemplary Community Service Award
  • Florida State USBC Youth Director
  • BPS Pipe & Drum Corps
Mel Sim Jr.

Mel Sim Jr.

New York

Most people know me as MJ. Bowling has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I come from a family of bowlers, and you could say I've been in love with the sport since before I was born. I’m excited for this opportunity to represent Storm JR.


Accomplishments

  • 2023 PBA Junior Northeast Qualifier Champion
  • 2023 PB3 Scholarship U15 Champion
  • 2024 PB3 Scholarship U18 Runner Up
  • 2024 Junior Gold U15 – 4th Place Finish
  • 2024/2025 Two-time back-to-back State Individual Champion – CHSAA
  • 5x SYC Medalist
  • 8x LIUSBC Champion
  • 6x MFCYT Champion
  • 2x NJYBT Champion
  • 1x PJBT Champion
  • 1x LIYBT Champion
  • 8 Perfect 300 Games
  • 3 800 Games
Autumn Strode

Autumn Strode

Indiana

I started bowling in 2022 for my middle school team, and no one has been able to get me out of a bowling alley since. Now, I travel across the country to bowl every chance I get. I love to learn everything I can about the game to expand my knowledge, as I strive to get 1% better every day both in my physical and mental game. There is no other community like that of our sport, and I am grateful every day I get to be a part of it.


Accomplishments

  • 2024–25 Elite Youth Tour Bowler of the Year (U15)
  • Greater Calumet Area USBC Female Youth Bowler of the Year
  • 2026 Developmental Junior Team USA Member
  • 2025 SYC All American
  • 1 PBA Jr Regional Title
  • 5 Elite Youth Tour Titles
  • 3 NWIJTPA Titles
  • U15 Pepsi Champion 2024
  • 1 Perfect 300 Game
Sebby Vetter

Sebby Vetter

Illinois

My journey with bowling is all because of my grandma. None of my family bowls and neither does my grandma but she started taking me when I was little just because it was easy to keep me occupied and then I fell in love with it. I believe Storm Products are the best in the game.


Accomplishments

  • 6x SYC Champion
  • PBA Jr. Regional Champion
  • PBA Regional Finalist
  • 2x Youth Open Champion
  • 2024 USA Bowling National Champion
  • 7 Perfect 300 Games
  • 1 800 Series