AMF FIREBIRD LANES

champs & finalists

          Henry Hind and Deklyn Bishop each put on shows to win their respective JBT titles, in terrific Pacific Northwest Conference action at Salem’s AMF Firebird Lanes.

          Matthew Lennox and Danny Chalmers keep running into each other in JBT matchplay scenarios, and it happened again to open the scratch stepladder finals, with Chalmers getting the win this time.  Jordon Zitek then stepped in, making his first finals, but Chalmers stepped it up with lots of strikes for the win, advancing to play Hind for the title. 

          The final was a banger on paper, with two-time defending Bowler of the Year Danny going against two-time defending Invitational champ Henry for the title.  Both started fast but Hind’s streak never stopped, running the front nine to lock up the win.  Looking for the first JBT title match 300 in a while, Henry’s first shot ripped the rack, and second ball carried a late-falling 9-pin.  However, the last ball went light and didn’t carry, and Hind settled for a thrilling 297 and his sixth career JBT title.

          Karsyn Whitaker made his first JBT handicap finals a success with a 209-185 over Canada’s Liam Mac Donald to open up that stepladder.  Whitaker rolled past Isaiah Siemon in round two, who settled for back to back third places plus a 300 game for his excellent weekend.  Top seed Deklyn Bishop remained, who pulled away from the field with a big semifinal round.  Deklyn started the title match slow against the tough Whitaker, but made a great comeback in the back half, winning the match and earning his first career JBT title.

          Rapidly improving Marcus Castro won his first U17 subdivision title with a win over Matt Birkholz.  Laelah Tiquia took the Girls Scratch win with a victory over Hailey Mattson.   Big thanks as always to Erik and the Firebird team for their usual smooth hosting job.  Want in on all this fun for all ages and skill levels?  Just check out our schedule and email your reservations in today!

Date: Saturday February 1, 2026  (This is ONE tournament that is one day long, open to anyone age 21 & under as of 8/1/25). 

Start Time: Bowling begins at 9 AM.  Check in from 7:30-8:30 AM.

Re-entries?:  There's only one qualifying squad, so there are no re-entries this event..

Reservations:  Please email director@bowljbt.com to reserve a spot.  In your email, please give us your name, which event(s) you are signing up for, and which division you are planning to bowl (scratch or handicap; you can change this later).  You can prepay (not required) at the 'Prepaying' section of this website.  Reservations (paid or unpaid) must check in no later than 15 minutes before start time.  At that time, all bowlers will be taken on a first come, first serve basis until the field is full.

Format: Qualifying round is 5 games.  The top 40% bowl a 3 game semifinals. The top 4 then do a stepladder finals.   

Divisions/ Averages:  Scratch or handicap.  It is the bowlers' choice of division.  Also, everyone age 16 or under as of 8/1/25 is automatically entered in the U-17 side event.   Also, every female is automatically entered in the Girls Scratch side event.   If this is your first JBT event, we will be asking for average info.  In most cases, your highest average from any current form of organized competition of at least 15 games is what we need.  If you bowl in multiple leagues / clubs, bring everything and we'll sort it out for you.  If you don't have 15+ games in any organized competition this season, we need your finishing 24-25 average, and any 2025 summer averages.  After your first JBT event, your average is re-rated before every JBT event according to JBT rules.  Please see JBT Rule 13 for complete details.

Points:  This event counts for Pac NW and All-Conference points.  Points qualify you for the big money season-ending Invitationals and Touring Players Championship, so get all you can.  Visit the 'statistics' section of the website to check on your points.  At the end of the season, the top 40 in Pac NW points, plus anyone who had TWO top-5 finishes in Pac NW events this season, advance to their respective Invitationals.

Entry fee: $60, $62 if paid on-site by credit card.  Scholarship brackets are available for $2 each.  Raffle tickets for bowling balls from the brands of Brunswick, and our PowerBowl and 'perfect 30' jackpots, are available on-site. 

Sponsor Incentive bonuses:  1) IAM Bowling: Bowlers making the final match of an event (scratch or handicap) wearing an IAM patch (good), any IAM shirt (better), or an IAM JBT shirt (best) earn point bonuses towards an IAM incentive jackpot.  (The IAM patch is requested to be worn by all bowlers).   2) Virtue Bowling: Bowlers making the final match of an event (scratch or handicap, win or lose), using a Virtue Bowling shirt or patch, and a Virtue drilled ball, earn a $25 Virtue gift card.  (These sponsorships are pending final renewal for the new season.)

Scholarships: 1:6 in each division earn scholarships, scratch and handicap.  Minimum prizes are $300, $150, $100, $60.  Bowlers must finish in the top 5 twice this season in that conference to qualify for that conference's Invitational, which features $1,000 for first place.  Bowlers who finish in the top 20 in a conference's points race, or the top 120 in all-conference points, qualify for the Touring Players Championship, featuring $3,000 for first.

Lane conditions: conditions vary from event to event, and are not posted prior to the event (unless otherwise announced).  Some events do not post the pattern until after qualifying, or even at all.  Be ready for anything- it makes you a better bowler!  Check out previous patterns and corresponding cut scores at the 'lane conditions' section of this website to get a good idea of what you might expect.

Dress code:  Anything goes EXCEPT tank tops, gym shorts, clothing promoting alcohol, drugs, or firearms, or excessively ripped or short clothing, subject solely to the director's discretion.  However, bowlers wearing slacks or dress shorts/skirts, and a 'name shirt' or PBA-style 'dye-sub' shirt, or college or high school team shirt, earn an extra 10 points on their season-long points total.  If you're not sure about dress code, check with us.  If you're new to us, the vast majority of the bowlers do dress in the 'bonus' dress code, and those points become very important, so plan accordingly.

RESERVED BOWLERS:

This reservation is an expectation that you will be bowling.  PLEASE do not forget to contact us if you need to cancel or adjust your reservation.  Repeated 'no-shows' may result in you not being able to reserve a spot.  This list may not be updated after the Friday of the event as we travel, etc.  However, walk-ins / late entries are still gladly accepted as space permits.