Bowling for Baccalaureates Published Feb. 23, 2012 By 2nd Lt. Lyndsey Horn 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- -- RAF Lakenheath hosted the 2012 Pepsi United States Bowling Congress Youth European Zone U.K. Regional Finals at Liberty Lanes Feb. 11 and 12. The championship series is a U.S.-wide tournament open to all USBC youth members. "This championship is the premier tournament for youth bowlers," said Michael Palace, Lakenheath youth league supervisor. "It is also one of the most exciting opportunities available to [them]." After qualifying in their local leagues, the youth bowlers then advance to the European Regional Zone Finals and European finals. Additionally, the bowlers are eligible for scholarships through the league. In 2011 the tournament awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships to youth bowlers. This year 90 youth bowlers from Aviano Air Base, Italy and RAFs Alconbury, Coughton, Menwith Hill, and Lakenheath competed for $4,100 in scholarships for the 11-and-under and 12- and-over handicap divisions. In addition to the Pepsi Youth Championships, bowlers had an extra opportunity to earn scholarships through the Youth/Adult Scotch Doubles side tournament, which paired a child with a parent or other adult. The winners of the regional finals were: Girls 12 and over Handicap Scholarship Winners 1st Place - Alexa Joyce, RAF Lakenheath 2nd Place - Chelsea Littleton, Aviano AB 3rd Place - Caitlan Thompson, RAF Lakenheath Boys 12 and over Handicap Scholarship Winners 1st Place - Devin Simmering, RAF Croughton 2nd Place - Keanu Lyons, RAF Menwith Hill 3rd Place - Brandon Kush, RAF Lakenheath 4th Place - Sam Sorrell, RAF Lakenheath 5th Place - John Sedlacek, RAF Lakenheath Girls 11 and under Handicap Scholarship Winners 1st Place - Macie Simmering, RAF Croughton 2nd Place - McAyla Burkey, RAF Menwith Hill 3rd Place - Alessa Locke, RAF Lakenheath 4th Place - Marcella Cox, RAF Croughton 5th Place - Rachel Brantley, RAF Croughton 6th Place - Lydia Graham, RAF Lakenheath 7th Place - Briley Lippert, Aviano AB Boys 11 and under Handicap Scholarship Winners 1st Place - Gabriel Huffman, RAF Lakenheath 2nd Place - Aaron Curry, RAF Menwith Hill 3rd Place - Nicolas Allen, Aviano AB 4th Place - Ryan Steggerda RAF Alconbury 5th Place - Jarrid Seigrist, RAF Lakenheath 6th Place - Gregory Cox, RAF Croughton 7th Place - Daniel Gerling, RAF Lakenheath 8th Place - Zachariah Berning, RAF Lakenheath The winners of the Scotch Doubles were: 11 and under Youth/Adult Scholarship winners 1st Place - Brenden Rivers, RAF Lakenheath 2nd Place - Jarrid Seigrist, RAF Lakenheath 3rd Place - Daniel Gerling, RAF Lakenheath 12 and above Youth/Adult Scholarships winners 1st Place - Caitlan Thompson, RAF Lakenheath 2nd Place - Thomas Cox, RAF Croughton 3rd Place - Lori Highlander, RAF Lakenheath