MILWAUKIE BOWL

champs Jordan Yoke and Vince Bachteler

        Jordan Yoke kept his proverbial hat in the Pac NW JBT bowler of the year race, while Vince Bachteler tasted victory for the first time, in exciting JBT action at Husted's Milwaukie Bowl.

        Lucas Stone opened up the scratch division stepladder finals with a 223-198 win over Nick Bachteler, who is evidently fully recovered from an arm injury.  Stone and Marshall Kent then tied match #2 at 203.  Kent only got 8 pins on his one-shot rolloff, but it was enough to beat Stone's 7 and advance.  Chris Kirk then beat Kent 245-195 to reach the title match.

        Top seed Yoke had handled the tough Scorpion pattern all day en route to the top seed, but Kirk was riding the best wave of his JBT career, coming off back to back finals in California last week and Vancouver the day before, and eager to capture his first title.  However, Yoke left no doubt as to the winner of the title game, firing off the high game of the tournament in a 266-183 win, good for his 4th career title, and 3rd of the season.

        Kelsey Abrahamsen opened up the handicap division of the stepladder finals with a 222-205 win over Ryan Laird, who made the finals both times at Milwaukie this season.  Kelsey then squeezed by Jessicsa Bubnich 180-176.  Kyle Buchanan than made his first finals appearance a success with a 195-176 win over Abrahamsen to advance to the title game.

        Top seed Vince Bachteler was already enjoying the best event of his JBT career, and he finished it off with a 196-171 title match win over Buchanan for his first career JBT title.

        Thanks as always to the crew at Dave Husted's centers for a wonderful weekend.  Almost $3,000 in scholarships were awarded to all average bowlers under age 22.  Want in on all this fun?  Check our schedule and come see us at a JBT event soon!