TEXAS STAR LANES

champs Dallas Leong, Amanda Atkin, and Matt Baker

        Dallas Leong set an all-time record, while Matt Baker continued a terrific start to his 2015-16 campaign, capturing titles in season-opening Mojave Conference JBT action at Texas Station.

        High scores were the order of the day, and Kyle Reed set the example with a 259-205 win over Russ Oviatt to open the scratch division finals.  Reed, bowling in his first scratch event after moving up from handicap, then beat perennial finalist Nick Pollak 227-216.  If that wasn't enough, he then had to go through two-time defending all-conference Bowler of the Year Cortez Schenck, and Kyle was up to the task again, beating Schenck 237-223 to advance to the title match.

        Top seed Leong finished off one of the best summers in JBT history with wins at the TPC and Desert Open, and began the new season by leading the strike-fest here.  With history on the line either way, Dallas came through with eight of the first nine strikes for a 240-217 win.  While Reed settled for a very impressive runner-up finish in his scratch debut, Dallas set an all-time JBT record with his fifth consecutive win, breaking a tie with a who's who of bowling, JBT and otherwise- Schenck, Andrew Cain, Josh Blanchard, BJ Baker, and Kyle King! 

         High scores plus handicap can equal astronomical numbers, as evidenced by the handicap stepladder opener, where Dylan Amico edged Jopfel Gafate in a 278-265 wild one.  Abby Franklin then stopped Amico in a 215-206 second round win.  JBT rookie Jacob Childress then edged Franklin 228-220 to move on to the title match in his debut event.

        Top seed Matt Baker had already impressed the Tour with a strong opening weekend in Arizona, and only increased that with a dominant performance in his home conference's opener.  He maintained his torrid pace in the title match, defeating Childress 264-183 for his first career JBT title.   

        Amanda Atkin almost always bowls great at Texas, and today was no exception.  She was the second seed to Franklin (who averaged 208 in qualifying), but controlled the title match 204-156 to earn the day's women's series title.

        Joe Grondin fires a 300 game in qualifying, the first of the season Tour-wide!  Thanks as always to the incomparable Jerry Francomano, Marshall, and the entire Texas staff for another great job hosting us.  Want in on all this fun for all ages?  Just check out our schedule and come on down!