GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Alyssa Ballard had her best day of qualifying Wednesday and climbed the leaderboard at the U18 Junior Gold Championship.
The incoming Vanderbilt freshman used an opening 234 game to post an 835 total (+23) and ended up in 14th place in the field of nearly 600 competitors.
Just two pins behind her in the 15th position is fellow Commodore Victoria Varano, who once again was a picture of consistency during her four games.
After Thursday’s four games, the field gets chopped to 82 for the initial Advancers Round. The leader continues to be Melina Mitskavich of Du Bois, Pennsylvania, with a +174 total (174 pins over a 200 average).