From Pandemic To Pro: Capital Region Teen is National Cornhole Champ

The Covid-19 pandemic was a tough time for a lot of kids in the Capital Region. But one kid took that time to learn how to play cornhole and now he is a National Champion. Fifteen-year-old Cameron D'Ambrosio has been crowned the USA Junior Doubles Cornhole Champion.

When Cameron was eleven, he was bored during the pandemic and asked his dad, Scott, to play cornhole. Scott taught him the rules and Cameron loved it. They played in the driveway and once the pandemic was over, he and his dad would play at a local bar. But Dad soon realized that he wasn't the right partner for him. Cameron was really good.

The Ravena High School junior has been playing cornhole professionally now for a few years. His mom, Kyleen, told me that he travels all over the country. She said that Cameron has been to places she has never been to. He has been to Las Vegas, Texas, and South Carolina among other states and towns.

Although Kyleen does not travel with Cameron (his dad Scott does) she said she would never see him anyway. She told me that he's all business on these trips. He plays cornhole from sun up to sun down, eats, and goes to bed.

Cameron's partner is Brayden Wilson who is three years younger and is from Texas. When asked about the two teaming up, he told The Upstater,

I met him at a tournament and I knew if we played together — we throw similar bags and we are sponsored by the same company — I knew we would be a good duo.

Cameron and Brayden are taking the cornhole circuit by storm. What's crazy is that these cornhole tournaments are all ages and these two are dominating. On August 6th, Cameron and Brayden took home the National Junior title and it was all broadcast on ESPN+. They now hold the title of back-to-back USA Junior Doubles Champions.

Cameron D'Ambrosio is currently ranked #9 in New York State, #17 in the Conference, and in the Open Division (all ages) he is #114.

Cameron is going into his junior year at Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School. It isn't just cornhole for this guy, he plays soccer, is a kicker on the football team, and plans to play baseball this year.