JONESBORO, Ark. (8/4/16) – Arkansas State women's bowler Haley Richard recently competed in the Lee Evans Tournament of the Americas in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., while teammate and sister Jordan Richard finished action at the 2016 World Youth Championships in Lincoln, Neb., Tuesday afternoon.

Haley Richard medaled in all five events at the TOA, which ran from July 25-30, with gold medals in the Adult Women's Doubles and Mixed Team categories. She earned a silver in adult women's singles and all-events, while picking up a bronze in mixed doubles. Team USA was also the team all-events champion.

The Tecumseh, Mich., native teamed with Josie Earnest for a total pinfall of 2,385 to win the Adult Women's Doubles gold medal, while both ladies teamed with Thomas Peters and Chris Via to win the Mixed Team gold with 6,731 pins. She posted a mark of 2,363 to claim silver in the Adult Women's Singles and a 6,441 in All-Events for another silver medal. Her bronze came in the Mixed Doubles event when she teamed with Peters for a total pinfall of 2,474.

“I feel very honored to have had the opportunity to compete alongside my teammates for the USA,” Haley Richard said. “I had so much fun and enjoyed every minute I was there. It was surely a week I will never forget as up until this it was only just a dream.”

The Lee Evans Tournament of the Americas is the oldest annual international tournament in the American Zone. It is an invitational event for countries in the Pan American Bowling Confederation (PABCON), the American Zone of World Bowling.

Jordan Richard earned two medals at the World Youth Championships with a silver in the Girls' Team event and a bronze in the Girls' Doubles after reaching the semifinals with Stephanie Schwartz. She earned a 10th place finish in the All-Events category with 3,678 pins and an average of 204.33. Team USA, composed of Jordan Richard, Schwartz, Gazmine Mason, and Julia Bond, was also the overall champion.

“It's hard to put into words how blessed I am that I was able to compete for my country at the World Youth Championships,” Jordan Richard said. “It's something I've dreamed of my whole life. I had so much fun meeting new people from across the world, spending time with my teammates, and of course, bowling. This was a once in a lifetime experience and I'm more than thankful I was selected for this opportunity. I will treasure these memories forever.”

The United States led the way in the medal count at the 2016 World Youth Championships, collecting six gold medals, three silver medals and four bronze medals for a total of 13 of the 39 handed out at Sun Valley Lanes this week.

The 2016 World Youth Championships were held July 24-Aug. 2 and featured more than 200 athletes from 37 countries competing for medals in singles, doubles, team, all-events and Masters.

Haley Richard is coming off a solid sophomore season at Arkansas State in which she was named an Honorable Mention NTCA All-American and picked up all-tournament honors at three events.

Jordan Richard enjoyed a successful sophomore season and first at Arkansas State where she earned First-Team National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) All-American honors. She tied the school record for all-tournament accolades in a season with six, including MVP honors at the Music City Classic and Southland Bowling League Championship. She was also named to the All-NCAA Tournament squad.