SO CAL INVITATIONAL

champs Kyle King, Valerie Riggin, & Austin Thompson

        Kyle King, Valerie Riggin, and Austin Thompson earned titles in their respective divisions as champions of the JBT So Cal Invitational Tournament, hosted by Parkway Bowl in El Cajon.  Almost $9,000 in scholarships were awarded over Invitational weekend!

        Arguably the most demanding lane pattern of the season tested the talented field, putting the emphasis on shotmaking and mental toughness all day long.  Steven Manier earned the top seed as one of only two bowlers to average over 200 in qualifying, and with a shot at catching Cameron Smith for Bowler of the Year, rolled through the first seven rounds of the triple elimination matchplay finals  a 6-1 record.  When Kyle King eliminated Smith in round eight, it meant that Manier needed to win the tournament, and grab third high game or better in the remaining matches, to pass Smith.  However, Manier lost his next match to Eric Hatchett, and when King gave Steven his third loss in the next round, Smith locked up Bowler of the Year, his fourth B.O.Y. award this season- perhaps the most impressive single-season feat in JBT history. 

        Hatchett and King were thus left standing, and with two losses each, the next match would determine the winner.  In that match, Kyle's mid-game five-bagger blew open the match, and the 234-201 final tally gave King the win, another $1,000 scholarship, and the 59th title of his unparalleled JBT career.

        Kylie Shishima bowled great to earn the #1 seed in the handicap division, but scuffled through matchplay with a 3-2 record through early rounds.  #7 seed Alyssa Tucker had no such trouble though, going 8-0 to put herself in terrific shape.  In round nine, Alexis Atkin enjoyed a much-needed bye while #15 Austin Thompson handed Tucker her first loss.  Tucker eliminated Atkin in the next round, setting up a best 2-of-3 between Austin and Alyssa for the title.

        Thompson won his first career JBT title the day before, and by this point had locked up Bowler of the Year as well.  Riding a huge wave of momentum, he stayed in control the rest of the way, winning two games in row over Tucker to earn the title, and the $1,000 top scholarship prize, completing a dream weekend.  Former Invite champ Kyli Selley finished fourth, and Megan Carlson earned perhaps the bravest fifth place finish in Invite history, coming back from a dislocated knee in qualifying to make it all the way to the final five.

        Ashley Dunn, who led the scratch division through four rounds, and Valerie Riggin (who went on to finish fifth in scratch), advanced to the title game of the simultaneous So Cal Girls Invitational, with the girls points race close enough that the winner of the game would not just win the Invitational, but Bowler of the Year as well.  Fittingly, the match came down to the final frame, and when Dunn couldn't get the tenth frame strike, Riggin escaped with the 187-185 win, winning the title, Bowler of the Year, and a $200 bonus courtesy of JBT Women's Series sponsor Impact Bowling.

       Oscar Chan won a copy of Mark Baker's new book 'GameChanger', not to mention the day's Ebonite ball, so we expect big things from him in his next event!  Big thanks to 'Bakes' for his continued support of JBT.

        The top 20 season long point scorers now advance to the Touring Players Championship, where they will face the best of the rest of JBT, playing for the $2,000 top prizes and our biggest honor.  Thanks to everyone at Parkway for hosting the event, which awarded nearly $7,000 in scholarships to bowlers of all averages and all ages!

        Want in on all this fun?  Keep checking www.bowljbt.com for full details on our exciting 2012-13 JBT schedule, which begins in September!