BIG ROCK BOWLING CENTER

champs Aaron Johnston & Zac Frias

        Aaron Johnston and Zac Frias survived high scoring opponents en route to JBT titles in exciting New Mexico-Texas Conference action at Espanola's Big Rock Bowling Center.

        After five games, the top 16 bowlers in each division advanced to the 'oadotat' rounds, where the higher-seeded bowlers needed to win one game to advance, while lower seeds need to win two games, puting a huge emphasis on the qualifying rounds, even though pins are dropped in matchplay.  Only #13 Danny Cobine won in scratch round one as a lower seed, ousting #4 Cameron Smith.  #5 Mason Edmondson stopped Danny in the next round though.  Edmonson in turn was defeated by top seed Johnston 278-235 in one semifinal, while #2 Joe Lewandowski snuck by #3 Wendy Shelton, making her second straight open scratch finals 199-194, to set up a 1 vs 2 title match.

        Needing to win twice, Lewandowski looked to be in trouble in game one, but struck out for 247. Needing a strike to win, Johnston rung a 10-pin and then struck on the fill for a 247 tie.  Joe won the ensuing rolloff 10-9 to force a second game.  Joe started off with the front 5 in game two, but Aaron stayed with him with spare-five bagger himself.  A crucial ninth-frame open from Joe gave Aaron all the room he needed, as he went of the sheet from the eighth frame for an eventual 268-265 win in a thrilling two-game match.

        Top handicap seeds fared well also, with #13 being lucky for Parker Simpson, who upset #4 Jeremiah Martin.  In the round of eight, #8 Kory Hetmer came up with a huge win to oust #1 Nathaniel Duran, while #2 Elizabeth Romero rolled on with a win over Kyler Duggins.  #6 Lindsey Sanchez stopped Romero's fine run in the semifinals, beating her twice to get to the final match.  She'd face #5 Zac Frias, who stormed past Hetmer (his league teammate) 260-223 in the other semi.

        Zac, the higher seed, remained in control the whole title match, winning game one 235-219 for the first title of his JBT career.

        Wendy Shelton completed a dominant performance by defeating Sabrina Vargas 214-203 for the three-event sweep of the Women's Series on the weekend (to go with the two regular top five finishes)!

        Thanks as always to the staff at Big Rock for a great job hosting our Tour.  Over $1,600 in scholarships were earned by bowlers of all averages and ages- you can still get in on the unique fun of JBT this season, just check out our schedule and come on down!