Our first team to announce is our youngest and most ambitious team, the Junior Team! We are excited to bring back the junior team in 2024 and have high hopes for their competitive success in 2024 and beyond.
The 2024 Junior team comprises three returning athletes and five new athletes. In our application process this summer, it was clear that a lack of highlighting junior players impacted how many expressed interest. Still, also, there are plenty of phenomenal junior players competing across the world! We look forward to seeing more juniors who are up-and-coming competitors apply to the team for 2025 (team applications will open at the end of the summer).
Ville Parpala
Ville is the reigning Swedish MJ15 Champion and had several impressive finishes in the MPO division this season. Much like Linus and Hjalmar before him, we like to keep an eye on our up-and-coming Swedish talent to support our local professionals.
Favorite Disc: Fuse
2024 Goals: Ville plans to develop his game and play larger tournaments.
Tournament Goals: Make it to the European Open.
Favorite Professional: Paul McBeth
One Cool Thing: Also plays hockey
Evan Jones
Evan has been the lone US Junior for over a few years, seeing some of our other Junior team members move up to other team levels. 
Favorite Disc: Ballista Pro
2024 Goals: Moving up to MPO before 2025
Tournament Goals: Delaware Disc Golf Challenge
Favorite Professional: Ricky Wysocki
One Cool Thing: Is on his 8th year of being on Team Latitude 64
Julia Backlund
Part of the reigning Swedish FPO Champion Team and second place in the FJ18 Swedish Championship, Julia joined the team in 2023 and has great plans for her career in disc golf. 
Favorite Disc: Sapphire
2024 Goals: Julia plans to improve her form and consistency, while building a strong mental game
Tournament Goals: Swedish Championships: Juniors, Team, & Maybe Professional
Favorite Professional: Kristin Tattar
One Cool Thing: NEVER uses a beanie while playing, regardless of how cold it is.
Brooklyn O’Krafka
Brooklyn stood out to us as a rising star in Canada. As we seek to grow our presence in Canada, we decided to take a unique approach to who we sponsor. She rose to the top with her competitive prowess and positivity as an ambassador in her region of the country. 
Favorite Disc: River
2024 Goals: Improve forehand and throw 300ft consistently. Increase C2 putting
Tournament Goals: Junior Worlds
Favorite Professional: Kristin Tattar
One Cool Thing: When not playing disc golf, really enjoys theater!
Ola Reksterberg
We saw quite a few people express interest in joining Team Latitude from Norway, and Ola’s drive and strong recommendations helped move him to the top. Outside of trying to be one of the best players in Norway, Ola is on the ground helping run tournaments and grow the sport in Norway.
Favorite Disc: Compass
2024 Goals: Have as much fun playing disc golf and explore disc golf outside of Norway
Tournament Goals: Krokhol Open & Norwegian Championships
Favorite Professional: Ricky Wysocki
One Cool Thing: Loves doing more than just playing disc golf, being a part of the disc golf community. It’s a spot that brings much joy and excitement.
David Suyat
A rising star in the Pacific Northwest, David stood out to us with his drive to compete and commitment to competing in the Junior World Championship for the next two years before jumping to the professional division. 
Favorite Disc: Rive
2024 Goals: Podium at the 2024 Junior World Championship
Tournament Goals: Junior Worlds
Favorite Professional: Ricky Wysocki
One Cool Thing: My legal middle name is Danger
Nova Belanger
Reigning FJ12 World Champion, A Major Championship can catch the eye of a company. Nova’s commitment not just to disc golf but her interest in Latitude 64 as a brand helped solidify for Latitude a reason to sponsor this rising star from Oklahoma.
Favorite Disc: Saint Pro
2024 Goals: Get rating up to 825 or above
Tournament Goals: Junior Worlds
Favorite Professional: Kristin Tattar
One Cool Thing: Is really good at Disc Golf Valley
Kayla Hess
Kayla competed in 34 PDGA-sanctioned events in 2023. Most notable was her victory in the FJ15 division at the US Women’s Championship. Kayla’s high level of competition and commitment to playing multiple Majors in a season puts high expectations on her for 2024 and beyond.
Favorite Disc: Ballista Pro
2024 Goals: Kayla has quite the list of 2024 goals: reach a player rating of 885, continue to improve my forehand, win junior worlds, top 10 finish at am worlds, reach 100 career events, reach 50 career wins, play 10 new courses.
Tournament Goals: Playing Junior Worlds in FJ18 and playing AM Worlds for the first time.
Favorite Professional: Kristin Tattar
One Cool Thing: Captain of her school’s marching band
More Team Announcements Coming…
We are excited about our first team-level announcements and look forward to future releases between now and the new year. Check back next week to see the next two team levels we will announce!
