AMF FIREBIRD LANES

champs Lucas Ferrando & Jerry Jennings

        Lucas Ferrando and Jerry Jennings each picked up their first career JBT titles in exciting action at AMF Firebird Lanes in Pacific Northwest Conference action.

        After five qualifying games on a second consecutive day of very challenging lane conditions, Tanner Spacey, the previous day's runner-up, grabbed the top seed for matchplay, earning a bye in round one.  He then defeated #14 Josh Mullen, but #2 Eddy Smith was tripped up by #11 Jeffrey Holden.  In single-game semifinal matches, Holden then upset Spacey, while Ferrando beat #5 Nick Devlin, who was making his first singles top-5 despite being in the top 5 in points, to set up the title match.

        Whether it was first-timer nerves or just the demanding lane conditions, the title match was a low-scoring affair with both bowlers struggling just to mark.  The ultra-cranker Holden made a great move left of the entire ball return on the right lane to finally find a look to the pocket, but it came too late as Ferrando squeaked out the match by a 148-135 final score.  It's unofficially the lowest-scoring scratch title match in JBT history, but a win is a win, and Lucas happily claims his first career JBT title.

        Samm Cosby gained the top seed in the handicap division, but fell in the round of eight to #11 Kelsey Abrahamsen, who earlier was the only lower seed to win her round one match.  #2 Jennings ousted #8 Jake Mullen, setting up a semifinal match won by Jennings 202-114 with Kelsey bravely fighting through an injury issue.  In the other half of the matchplay bracket, #5 Michelle Jensen and #7 Emilee Wolf survived through to the semifinals, with Jensen winning the ensuing match 196-151 to reach the title game.

        Both Michelle and Jerry were appearing in their first title match as well, but Michelle was riding the hot hand, having finished third the day before.  The match stayed close throughout, and Jennings' 17-fill in the tenth forced Jensen to get all three in the tenth to win, a daunting task for anyone.  Michelle gave it a good try but couldn't get the strikes, giving Jerry the 212-194 win and his first career JBT title.

        Elisa Couch joined the first-time winner's club by winning her first Women's Series title with a 169-164 squeaker over Makayla Douglas.  She needs two more wins to qualify for the Girls TPC this summer.

        Big thanks to the whole crew at AMF Firebird for a wonderful weekend as first-time JBT hosts.  Over $2,700 was awarded to all ages and all averages on the weekend- want in on the fun?  Come on out to the next JBT event, it's that simple!