ANTELOPE LANES

champs Kyle King & Zach Friend

        Kyle King made JBT history, while Zach Friend made personal history, in dramatic JBT action at Prescott Valley's Antelope Lanes.

        Danny Varholdt opened up the handicap division stepladder finals with a 205-188 win over JBT newcomer Justin Harper.  Brady Higgs then defeated Varholdt 230-205, before Friend edged Higgs in a terrific match 255-247 to reach the finals.

        Top seed Travis Johnson is in a dogfight with Varholdt for the handicap division points lead, and a win here would obviously be huge in his Bowler of the Year chase.  Friend, however, held his own just fine, and the Yuma bowler struck out in the tenth frame, forcing Travis to do the same to tie (which would be our third title match tie in as many weeks).  Johnson flushed the first shot, but a high second shot didn't carry, and Zach picked up his very first career JBT title with the 216-204 win.

        Justin Givler made his first scratch finals in a while a successful one with a 214-190 win over Nick Lee in round one.  Joe Lewandowski, making his first finals ever, then turned the tables on Givler with a 219-178 win of his own.  Zach Martinez, who barely made the cut then shot 720 to vault to second, then defeated Lewandowski 227-204 to reach the title match.

        King had had an average day until a 277 game eight jumped him into the tournament lead and just one match from history.  Martinez was eager to stop that from happening on his watch, and his entire family has been bowling well lately, highlighted by his brother winning two weeks ago.  The match was surprisingly low-scoring as the carry proved tricky with so much on the line.  However, a great move from King on the left lane made the difference, and he struck out from there for a 213-184 win and the title.

        Back on May 4, 2003, an unknown handicap division bowler named Kyle King beat Christian Jensen for his first JBT title.  That was our 160th JBT event.  The scratch winner that day?  Steven Black.  Seven years later, in our 735th JBT event, Kyle now surpasses Steven with his 43rd career JBT victory, with plenty of room for more in his amazing JBT career.  Congratulations to the new "King" of our Tour.

        Thanks as always to the great crew at Antelope for hosting our Tour.  Over $1,500 in scholarships were awarded to bowlers of all averages- want in on all this fun and history?  Check our schedule and come on down, it's that simple!