The first Butler County Tournament of Stars youth bowling event is scheduled for Sunday at Bruin Lanes.

Bowlers age 7 through 21 from throughout the county will gather to compete in a singles scratch tournament format.

"Divisions are based on averages, not age," said Bruin Lanes owner Dan Persic. "It's competitive, not only for the trophies, but the top three placers in each division qualify for the finals."

The finals take place April 23 at Family Bowlaway. Four other Tournament of Stars events - Nov. 26 and 27 at Meridian Lanes, Dec. 4 and 11 at Mars Lanes, Feb. 12 at Sherwood Lanes and March 26 at Freeway Lanes - will be held before that.

Bowlers must be members of the U.S. Bowling Congress' youth organization to be eligible.

"We've been averaging 100 to 120 kids per tournament," said Butler County USBC Youth president Rick Reeder said. "A lot of the kids bowl in all five tournaments.

"We give a high tournament average award to bowlers, with minimum of 18 tournament games bowled. That encourages kids to bowl in all of the events.

"This is a youth showcase for bowling because Butler County has plenty of good young bowlers," Reeder added.

Chris Creeks averaged 221 in tournament play last year. Christina Huntinger of Freeway Lanes is another standout youth bowler.

This is the seventh year of the Tournament of Stars program and the second year that scholarships will be awarded to the finals champions in the 100-over divisions.

Bowlers in under-100 divisions bowl for trophies.

The championship tournament April 23 consists of a three-game qualifying round, from which the top five scoring bowlers compete in a step-ladder format to determine the series champion.

"Our board of directors decided to implement the scholarships last year," Reeder said. "We have an account set up through the USBC.

"The money can be used for any form of post-graduate education - four-year college, two-year college, trade school or whatever."

The eight divisions used in Tournament of Stars events include bowlers with averages of 51 to 70, 71 to 90, 91 to 100, 101 to 120, 121 to 140, 141 to 160, 161 to 180 and 181 and above.

"Any level of bowler has a shot at winning his division because he's grouped with kids of similar skill level," Persic said. "That's one of the things that attracts them.

"Another is the idea of competing in tournaments at different bowling houses throughout the county. We encourage that."

If bowlers become interested in tournaments as young people, they could remain interested in them as adults.

"That's our hope, anyway," Persic said.

Persic pointed out that bowling scholarships - especially for women - are available from many NCAA schools now.

"Our scholarship program encourages the older kids, 16-, 17-, 18-year-olds, to participate in the Tournament of Stars," he said. "Once kids reach a certain age, they have enough medals and trophies and they're moving up to men's and women's leagues.

"This gives them something else to shoot for."

Other Butler County youth bowling tournaments this season include a singles event Nov. 13 and 20 at Bruin Lanes, a doubles event Jan. 15, 22 and 29 at Mars Lanes and an event for teams March 4 and 5 at Sherwood Lanes.