THE ORLEANS
champs Kenny Benoit & Nicholas Pollak
Two bowlers captured their first JBT titles in exciting JBT Mojave Conference action at The Orleans.
The scratch division, like the previous day, had an infusion of nationwide talent, with many bowlers in town for Main Event and Team Trials. They, along with the JBT regulars, tore up the Orleans house pattern, with a 215+ average needed just to finish in the top half. Flordia's Matt Ezrol opened up the scratch division of the stepladder finals with a 258-243 win over Californian Tony Rose, who broke through for his first scratch finals. Ezrol kept striking in round two, defeating Dallas Leong (the 5-game leader at over +250) 247-206, and followed with the high game of the tournament in a 288-191 stomping of newly minted Team USA member Devin Bidwell to reach the title match.
Top qualifier Kenny Benoit, Topeka KS, had grabbed the lead in the semifinals, but found himself in a tough battle with Ezrol, who looked totally locked in on this pair. Kenny struck on his first ball in the tenth, forcing Matt to do the same. Unfortunately for Ezrol, a 4-pin stood, and Benoit claimed the 234-228 win and his first JBT title.
Jonny Gutierrez opened up the handicap finals with a 240-211 win over Marina Stever. Nicholas Pollak then took over, defeating Gutierrez 258-219, and following with a 234-209 victory over Kennison Andrews to reach the title match.
Top seed Ian Hanuscin used a big game eight to leap into the lead ahead of a logjammed field that had only 50 pins between first and ninth going into the final game. He looked to be in control of the title match as well, but needing a mark in the tenth frame to win, left an unfortunate big-four split, giving the excitable Pollak the 209-202 win and his first career JBT title.
Thanks as always to everyone at The Orleans for a great job hosting our Tour. Over $1,600 in scholarships were awarded to bowlers of all ages and averages- want in on the fun? Check out our schedule, pick an event, and come on down!
| The Orleans- final results and optional scholarship winners | |||
| 12/20/2009 | |||
| Mojave Conference | |||
| Scratch Division | |||
| rank | name | prize | |
| 1 | Kenny Benoit | $245 | |
| 2 | Matt Ezrol | $250 | |
| 3 | Devin Bidwell | $60 | |
| 4 | Dallas Leong | $110 | |
| 5 | Tony Rose | $45 | |
| 6 | Matt Herbert | $45 | |
| 7 | Dan Hansen | $45 | |
| 8 | Geoffrey Young | ||
| 9 | Brad Hansen | $30 | |
| 10 | Scott Englehart | ||
| 11 | Eric Hatchett | ||
| 12 | Allie Ijams | ||
| 13 | Brian Ballard | ||
| 14 | Rebeca Reguero | ||
| 15 | Kyle King | ||
| 16 | Jess Gagliardi | ||
| 17 | DJ Sloan | ||
| 18 | Lana Lycan | ||
| 19 | Matt Tuckfield | ||
| 20 | Zack Hattori | ||
| 21 | Christina Waldron | ||
| 22 | Melissa Huether | ||
| 23 | Kyle Jones | ||
| 24 | Brandon Owen | ||
| 25 | Ryan Howard | ||
| 26 | Matt Robbins | ||
| 27 | Zachary Ford | ||
| Handicap Division | |||
| rank | name | prize | |
| 1 | Nicholas Pollak | $200 | |
| 2 | Ian Hanuscin | $115 | |
| 3 | Kennison Andrews | $165 | |
| 4 | Jon Gutierrez | $65 | |
| 5 | Marina Stever | $55 | |
| 6 | Aaron Watkins | $60 | |
| 7 | Kyle Andrews | $65 | |
| 8 | Brandon Duffy | ||
| 9 | James Nolan | ||
| 10 | Nick Willis | $45 | |
| 11 | Paul Huether | ||
| 12 | Donovan Koff | ||
| 13 | Drew Stern | $15 | |
| 14 | Jennah Hahn | ||
| 15 | Jakle Childers | ||
| 16 | Shane Courtney | ||
| 17 | Justin Claspell | ||
| 18 | Samantha Meyers | ||
| 19 | Randi Speiler | ||
| 20 | Tyler Ottenschot | $10 | |
| 21 | Jacob Potts | ||
| 22 | Douglas Csanyi | ||
| 23 | Trevor Roberts | ||
| 24 | Taylor King | ||
| 25 | Casey Nagamine | ||
| 26 | Megan Carlson | ||
| 27 | Dakota Nitz | ||
| 28 | Katelyn Scott | ||
| 29 | Alkexandra Dammeier | $10 | |
| 30 | James Gabour | ||
| 31 | Justin Patten | $5 | |
| 32 | Gabriella Weis | ||
| 33 | Blake Krajniak | ||
| Scratch High Games: | |||
| Ezrol 288 | |||
| Bidwell 279 | |||
| Bidwell 268 | |||
| Leong 268 | |||
| 3 tied with 267 | |||
| Handicap High Games: | |||
| Hanuscin 292 | |||
| Gutierrez 282 | |||
| Pollak 281 | |||
| Pollak 280 | |||
| Kyle Andrews 277 | |||
| High Females: | |||
| Ijams +104 | |||
| Reguero +91 | |||
| Stever +56 | |||
| Lycan +22 | |||
| Waldron -11 | |||
| Round Leaders (5 pts. Each) | |||
| Scratch | Handicap | ||
| 1 | Bidwell - Leong | Ken. Andrews | |
| 2 | Leong | Andrews - Pollak | |
| 3 | Leong | Watkins | |
| 4 | Leong | Watkins | |
| 5 | Leong | Ken. Andrews | |
| 6 | Benoit | Ken. Andrews | |
| 7 | Benoit | Kyle Andrews | |
| 8 | Benoit | Hanuscin | |
| TOTAL AWARDED THIS EVENT: $1,655 | |||