Scratch champ Steven Black and Handicap winner Carlos Mendez
Two thrilling title matches capped off a terrific weekend of action in the JBT Las Vegas National Open, held at The Orleans. Over $23,000 in scholarships was awarded in the event, which saw our most decorated veteran and a brand-new bowler walk away with top honors.
The stepladder finals began with Dean Richards, Tacoma WA, maintaining the momentum he had gained in a big position round win, defeating Patrick Foley, Sparks NV, 219-189. In round 2, Richards, who seemed very comfortable playing a sixth-arrow line dictated by the demanding conditions, defeated Erick Buckley, Madera CA, 226-202.
In the semifinals, Brian Carmichael, Moreno Valley CA, stole both Richard's line and his thunder. Brian started double-spare-four bagger to put away Richards early, and cruise to a 259-183 victory.
Top qualifier Steven Black, Phoenix AZ, has been winning everything in sight lately, and held off challenges from several bowlers in matchplay to retain the top seed going into the finals. Steven started off the title match with the front five to take a big early lead, but open frames in the sixth and seventh sparked a furious comeback by Carmichael. With a spare up, Black still could have doubled in the tenth to shut out Brian. Steven could only manage strike-spare for 216, giving Carmichael a chance to double for the win. Spurred on by a huge, vocal crowd, he flushed the first ball. However, his second ball came in high and didn't strike, and Black had a 214-202 win, his 26th JBT title, and a whopping $2,880 in scholarships to add to his sizable total.
In the handicap division, Miguel Lopez, Peoria AZ, had led most of the day, but then had to hang on for the number 5 seed for the finals. In a close match, newcomer Spencer Firman, Casa Grande AZ, took out Lopez by a 197-191 margin. In round two, Firman had a chance to double to win his match against Kendrick Russell, but could not come through with the strikes, and Russell advanced 193-176. In the semifinals, Russell, Queen Creek AZ, continued to roll, defeating Vania Reyes, El Paso TX, 183-151 to advance to the title match.
Carlos Mendez had climbed all the way from 20th place to gain the top seed for the stepladder, thrilling a throng of Bowl El Paso bowlers and parents who made the trip for the event. Just like the scratch title match, Russell jumped out to a big early lead before a mid-game struggle gave Mendez the time he needed to catch up. With literally hundreds of people cheering loudly as both title matches began to swing, the excitement was electric as Mendez doubled late in the match. A heartbreaking tenth-frame open by Russell meant Carlos only needed to mark to win, and he calmly spared a 9-pin and pumped his fist to his friends. Mendez' first JBT win was a huge one, coming with a $2400 scholarship prize.
Handicap division bowler Joe Cristantiello, Clifton NJ, rolled the only 300 of the tournament. Over 200 bowlers shared in the $23,996 in scholarships awarded. Thanks to The Orleans for being wonderful first-year hosts of this outstanding event!
LAS VEGAS NATIONAL OPEN- top finishers and optional scholarship winners
Scratch Division
1. Steven Black, Phoenix AZ, $2,880
2. Brian Carmichael, Moreno Valley AZ, $1,400
3. Dean Richards, Tacoma WA, $750
4. Erick Buckley, Madera CA, $595
5. Patrick Foley, Sparks NV, $460
6. Vito Genova, Franklin Square NY, $790
7. Jared Lawrence, Redondo Beach CA, $280
8. Andy Byer, Albuquerque NM, $290
9. Corey Husted, Clackamas OR, $180
10. Cayson Coyle, Las Vegas NV, $170
11. Evan Olson, Burien WA, $825
12. Matt O'Grady, South Amboy NJ, $145
12. Ty Stockle, Canyon Country CA, $145
14. Shelby Shirlock, Lake Elsinore CA, $130
15. Scott Slocum, Baldwin Park CA, $125
16. Ty Brown, Phoenix AZ, $120
17. Billy Asbury, Odenton MD, $50
18. Cameron Foster, Taylorsville UT, $225
18. Nathan Panaligan, North Las Vegas NV, $10
20. Christian Jensen, Chandler AZ
21. Scott Schultz, Huntington Station NY, $570
22. Anthony Pepe, Jackson Heights NY, $190
23. Sam Hitchcock, Lake Forest CA
24. Bill Grant, Rio Rancho NM, $83
Other scratch scholarship winners: Alex Chuo $60; Jason Arnold $30; Stephen Gaucin $30; Robin Czyzewicz $30; Michael Cripe $10; Matt Bucher $150; Sam Cuevas $30; Ashley Lane $10; Johnny Ray $60; Dan Emory $30; Becky Sulligan $40; Steve Novak $815; Kurt Plotkin $10; Erik Olsen $57; Todd Wolsten $70; Mandy Pezzano $80; Bobby Sherman $110; Brandon Allred $20; Mike Wodzinski $175; Derrick Parnell $100; Chris Robar $40; DJ Sloan $300; Michael Pixley $78
Handicap Division
1. Carlos Mendez, El Paso TX, $2,400
2. Kendrick Russell, Queen Creek AZ, $1,600
3. Vania Reyes, El Paso TX, $850
4. Spencer Firman, Casa Grande AZ, $777 (nice number for Vegas, huh?)
5. Miguel Lopez, Peoria AZ, $554
6. Joey Chuo, Thermal CA, $567
7. Michael Curry, Phoenix AZ, $300
8. Jessica Maverick, La Quinta CA, $250
9. Sean Webb, El Paso TX, $225
10. Jacob Garcia, El Paso TX, $200
11. Liz Czyzewicz, Glenside PA, $196
12. Courtney Dutton, Chandler AZ, $180
13. Nick Seghetti, Las Vegas NV, $188
14. Ruben DeAlba, El Paso TX, $160
15. Taylor Ray, Las Vegas NV, $150
16. Zak Otos, Bermuda Dunes CA, $140
17. Eric Warren, Phoenix AZ, $130
18. Micah Leija, Casa Grande AZ, $186
19. Melissa Long, La Quinta CA
20. Joe Cristantiello, Clifton NJ, $295
21. Ryan Turek, Austin TX, $68
22. Joshua Reyes, El Paso TX
23. Alicia Sullivan, Kingman AZ
24. Sarah Plotkin, Las Vegas NV
Other handicap scholarship winners: Matthew Mertz $193; Kyle King $6; Tiffany King $18; Lynne Czyzewicz $54; Paul Link $56; Ryan Yadao $18; Bennie Vigil $132; Shane Peck $48; Jamie Smith $12; Scott Alvarez $18; Kaitlin Mayall $48; Anthony Occhipinto $18; Jesse Henson $18; Michael Angeles $18; Sarah Occhipinto $36; Jason Larcome $422; Bill Bittenbender $6; Bobby Majdanski $18; Sarah Carity $24; Derek Pixley $10; Will Romaine $36; Chris Ignacio $6; Kris George $18; Jeremy Baca $30; Shaina Carnate $6; Jordan Ferrer $18; Devin DeGreif $70; Chrissy Johnson $80; Eric Rosenberger $150; Rachelle Davis $200; Samantha Santoro $70
TOTAL AWARDED THIS EVENT: $24,001
*please note: This tournament is conducted by our east coast cousins, the Junior Bowlers Tour. Scholarship amounts are now official. You will be sent a separate scholarship statement for this tournament. For any questions regarding this event, contact Chuck at JBTBOSS1@aol.com, or you can try us at JBT SW and we'll try to help you as well.