TUCSON BOWL

champs Cortez Schenck & Jerod Walker

        Cortez Schenck caught back up to his biggest rival, while Jerod Walker returned to the winner's circle, in exciting JBT Arizona Conference action at Tucson Bowl.

        Tim Jacob, riding a hot hand since Main Event, opened the scratch division finals with a 214-172 win over Russ Oviatt.  Russ' ASU teammate Ben Canfield then stopped Jacob 223-173.  Schenck then defeated Canfield in the semifinal 215-192, setting up a long awaited battle between him and top seed Jakob Butturff for the title.

        Jakob fired 266 in the final matchplay game to jump into the top spot, helping create the first head to head title match between the two statistical superstars of the current JBT era since their absolute thriller in Kent, WA last season.  This one didn't have quite as much suspense as it turned out, as two missed spares mid-game from Butturff really opened the door for Schenck, and he responded with a seven-bagger to key a 251-188 win.  The 28th title of his JBT career moves him into a tie with Jakob, who had ran way ahead of Cortez with his 20-win season last year.

        Jessica Weygint began her first career finals successfully, with a 241-170 win over Samantha Sellers to begin the handicap finals.  Alexis Atkin then continued her red-hot roll with a 212-191 win over Weygint, and followed with a 214-178 defeat of Max Polhill to advance to her third title match in three events.

        The only thing missing from Atkin's run has been another title, and top seed Jerod Walker was determined to keep that anomaly alive.  He did just that, rolling a solid game for a 237-206 win, and the third win of the talented Tucsonan's JBT career.

        Atkin has had no trouble winning in the Women's Series, though.  She defeated Brooke Martinez 191-173 to sweep the weekend on the girl's side.

        Big thanks to Scott and the crew at Tucson Bowl for hosting a JBT event for the first time since 2001!  Want in on the best action around for bowlers of all averages, age 21 and under?  Check out our fantastic schedule, and come on down, that's all there is to it!