SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador - The 2008 Pan American Bowling Confederation Youth Championships got underway Sunday with the traditional march out of the teams at Galaxy Bowling Center.

More than 100 bowlers from 14 countries will compete in the PABCON Youth Championships, which features two divisions, one for bowlers 20 and younger and the other for bowlers 16 and younger.

Hector Armando Alvarado, a representative of El Salvador's National Institute of Sports, threw out the ceremonial first ball, knocking down seven pins to officially kick off the tournament. He was joined by PABCON President Jose Guandique of El Salvador in welcoming the participants, coaches and supporters.

The competition begins with singles on Monday morning and continues with action in doubles on Tuesday, trios on Wednesday, team on Thursday and concludes Friday with Masters.

Junior Team USA, which will only compete in the under-20 division, begins competition with Daniel Spink of Florissant, Mo., and Geoffrey Young of Denton, Texas, taking to the lanes on the opening squad of boys singles at 10:30 a.m. Eastern. They are followed by the tandem of Brent Bowers of Mulvane, Kan., and John Szczerbinski of North Tonawanda, N.Y., at 2:45 p.m. Eastern.

The girls will compete on just one squad at 7:15 p.m. Eastern as Josie Earnest of Vandalia, Ill., Christine Bator of Warren, Mich., Jenny Brown of DeLand, Fla., and Kristie Petravich of West Palm Beach, Fla., will represent Junior Team USA.