Akina named to U.S. National Junior Team Roster

The future BYU Cougar is set to represent the United States as a junior golfer this spring.

Author Halle Taylor
Akina named to U.S. National Junior Team RosterAkina named to U.S. National Junior Team Roster
Jaren Wilkey/BYU

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. – Future BYU Cougar and No. 5 Junior Golf Scoreboard ranked Kihei Akina was named to the 2025 U.S. National Junior Team Roster on Thursday morning.

Each year, the United States National Development Program (USNDP) evaluates American players based on eligibility criteria that include nationality, age, amateur status, conduct, education and participation on other national teams. 

Members of the team receive year-round support, including world-class coaching analysis, sports psychology and nutritional guidance to help them prepare for collegiate play.

Akina and his teammates will represent the United States in several tournaments this year, namely against Golf Canada from April 11-13 in Houston, Texas at Champions Golf Club. 

The Alpine native is joined by Ronin Banerjee, Luke Colton, Philip Dunham, Henry Guan, Trevor Gutschewski, Will Hartman, Jessy Huebner, Tyler Mawhinney, Michael Riebe and Tyler Watts. For more information about each of this year’s team members, visit the USGA website.