For Juniors, two events serve as qualifiers for the U.S. Junior National Team, where benchmark performances must be reached in selected divisions to earn an appointment to the team. They are:
The National High School Championships:
- Gold Division winners (1 each, male & female = 2)
The Junior Olympic Championships: (effective 2003)
- 18 and under, singles finalists (2 each, male & female = 4)
- 16 and under, singles finalists (2 each, male & female = 4)
- 14 and under, singles finalists (2 each, male & female = 4)
- 18 and under, doubles champions (2 each, male & female = 4)
- 16 and under, doubles champions (2 each, male & female = 4)
- 14 and under, doubles champions (2 each, male & female = 4)
By reaching these benchmarks, junior athletes are appointed to the U.S. Junior Team for a term of one year, and are then added to a pool of athletes to compete internationally and conduct goodwill tours abroad.
NOTE: Junior Team USA appointments are for one year from the date earned; those athletes who qualify in one year remain on the team until they either re-qualify - or fail to do so - at the following year's event. Athletes may also re-qualify at the next available opportunity, thereby "double-qualifying" and extending their current appointments accordingly. Prior to 1998, junior teams were determined on the basis of an annual "team trial" selection process.