Topeka-native Josh Hammons headed to Guatemala with Junior Team USA bowling

TOPEKA (KSNT) - A former Washburn Rural standout is getting ready to represent the United States on one of bowling’s biggest youth stages.

Josh Hammons, a graduate of Washburn Rural High School and current Wichita State bowler, has been selected to compete with Junior Team USA at the upcoming PANAM Bowling Youth Championship in Guatemala in August.

The event features the top young bowlers from around the globe, and Hammons is one of just a handful of athletes chosen to represent Team USA.

"This is just a huge opportunity, and coming from a small town in Kansas, there's a lot of bowling going on, but not a lot of people selected to represent the U.S.," Hammons told 27 News. "It's a huge opportunity and I'm very blessed to do it."

Hammons represented the United States in 2024 and will have the opportunity to do so again in 2026, marking three consecutive years.

Before joining one of the nation’s top collegiate bowling programs at Wichita State, Hammons made his mark in Topeka. He led the Washburn Rural boys' bowling team to a Kansas 6A State Championship and helped set the team scoring record in the process.

Steve Peoples, who coached that state title team, said Hammons was the heartbeat of a special group.

"As he got into the later years of high school, his junior and senior year, he was really good," Peoples said. "He still had to get comfortable throwing a lot of things, and winning a state championship didn't hurt; he anchored that team."

Hammons’ journey was also shaped by another local legend — Bob Benoit, a four-time PBA Tour champion best known for his televised 300 game in 1988.

Benoit has given him some pointers over the years after first noticing him.

"I bowled on tour for 20 years, and when I was back in town, I would always go into the bowling centers, and I saw him in there bowling one day and practicing, and he just caught my eye," Benoit explained to 27 News. "He had so many good things, and he was so young, and when you see something like that, you want to go over and watch."

Now, as Hammons prepares for the international spotlight, the Topeka community is rallying behind him as he tries to chase gold with his team.

"I want to represent the country the best way I can and just use this as an opportunity to further my career," Hammons said. "I want to help others out in the bowling world and show that anyone can make it in the bowling world if you really put your mind to it and put in the work."