AMF FIREBIRD

champs Ryan Nikolas & Joseph Brooks with runners-up Tommie McNeal & WendyJo LaTurner; McNeal & Girls winner Alexa Lanning

        A pair of southpaws earned JBT titles in exciting Pacific Northwest Conference action at AMF Firebird Lanes in Salem. 

      Nikolas was one of two bowlers to average over 200 in qualifying on a tricky pattern, but then shot a dismal 492 in the semifinals to barely hang on to the #5 seed.  Whatever look he lost, he re-found in the finals though, beginning with a 249-226 win over Jacob Mullen.  He then rolled past Andy Herrmann 232-159 (that's 481 for two), and followed with a 192-181 squeaker over Brian DeLuisa-Anderson to reach the title match.

       Top seed Tommie McNeal and Nikolas tied at 155 in the first game of matchplay, but the re-match was much better bowled.  It was Ryan keeping the momentum though, stopping McNeal for the title, the 13th of his excellent JBT career.  McNeal was consoled though with a 236-147 win over DeLuisa-Anderson for the day's U17 crown.

        Jacob Frazier opened up the handicap division stepladder finals with a 260-221 win over Tyler DeLorm.  Elizabeth Tuholski then stepped in and did what big brother Chris does a lot of, winning JBT finals matches, this one 199-179 over Frazier.  First time finalist Joseph Brooks then was able to stop Tuholski 231-206 to move into the title match,

        Top seed Wendy Jo LaTurner had her best JBT performance to date to earn the number one spot, but struggled early on in the title match.  LaTurner ran out of frames to catch up while Brooks kept filling his, and the result was a win for Brooks and his first career JBT title.

        Alexa Lanning won her first girls scratch event of the season with a win over AJ Schock, the first of three wins she needs to qualify for the Girls TPC this summer.

        Big thanks to the team at Firebird for hosting our event.  Want in on all the fun for all ages and averages?  Just check out our schedule and come on down, that's all there is to it!