Ernesto Reynoso continues to impress in the world of national bowling competition. At just 16 years old, the Folsom resident and Vista del Lago High School student just won his third national bowling title in one year.
With his latest success, Reynoso becomes the first in junior bowling history to win back to back Junior Gold National Championship title across two age divisions.
“It means a lot to me because I know how much I’ve put in at Junior Team USA camp, off the lanes and mentally,” Reynoso told the media following his most recent title. “I’m really proud of how I just stayed present in the moment all week.”
Reynoso first made his mark after winning the U18 Boys title in Detroit, becoming the first person in Junior Gold history to win back-to-back titles in two different divisions after winning U15 in 2023. According to competition recaps and bowl.com, Reynoso also won in the closest match of all the others, defeating No. 1 seed Ethan Crouse of Lowville, New York, as the No. 3 seed, 206-199, in a match that came down to the final frame.
Before the title match, Reynoso had to beat No. 2 Owen Williams of Tipton, Michigan, to have a shot at history. The two competitors had clean games, but Reynoso’s 207 topped Williams’ 190 as the left lane started to play a little tricky.
That prompted Reynoso to make a ball change that enabled him to switch up his lines a little, sticking with it even after one shot went light for a baby split that he really liked and put his arms up in the air in confusion.
Reynoso threw the next three strikes in a row and would’ve continued his striking ways if not for a brutal pocket 7-10 split in the seventh, leaving the door open for Crouse to pull ahead. Crouse was clean to that point, before a missed 10 pin brought new life for Reynoso.
The 2023 U15 Boys champion then doubled in the eighth and ninth to apply pressure on Crouse, who had a double heading into the second shot of the 10th. But Crouse went light and left the 2-4-5-8 bucket, only getting two of the four pins to finish with 199.
Reynoso clinched the win with a strike in the first ball in the 10th and left Detroit as a back-to-back champion with a 206.
He came into the week with higher expectations of himself, exuding the confidence of someone who has been there and won before.
“I expected a lot from myself because I know I’m capable of it, I know I can strike more than anyone out here and held myself to high expectations. I expect to have a good showing every year here.”
For those that want to watch Reynosa in action, the competition will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network on August 13 at 2pm, check the listings of your television or streaming provider.
Tournament play by play information: Bowl.com