Aussie youth bowlers head home with two trophies

RIO RANCHO (Sept. 22, 2024) — The came from down under and went home winners. The Australian youth bowling team that had been visiting Rio Rancho and competing in two events at Tenpins & More hopped on a plane back home on Monday, but they didn’t go empty handed.

On Sept. 14, the Aussie team, comprised of youth bowlers and their adult coaches, defended their title in the third International Challenge Cup, beating the New Mexico team 68-47. The team raised more than $25,000 for the trip.

After the big win, the team had a week to explore Rio Rancho and the surrounding areas. Mostly though, the practiced and went to some big American box stores.

“Shopping. We’ve done a lot of shopping," said coach Andrew Leonard. “It’s been amazing, though. The people. The people have been incredible.”

The bowling was pretty incredible as well.

After a week of green chile, Home Depot and plenty of lane time, the team took on another challenge: the Youth NM Open.

“The (tournament) went really well,” said Tenpins & More owner Steve Mackie. “We had a record 189 entries in the qualifying rounds, and then 54 survived the cut to bowl for the titles on Sunday.”

The Aussies did not win, but they did take third place and grabbed another award to bring home.

“The NM Open went great for some,” said Leonard. “The first day of competition, all of the Australians qualified for the final day.”

In their first tournament, star bowlers Izzy Leonard and Renee Kyte finished second and third (respectively) overall, enough for the first-place title. In the second tournament, Leonard and Kyte did it again, finishing third and fourth overall after a tough championship round.

“That was a great day of bowling," said Leonard.