Kearny Mesa Bowl

champs Travis Zehntner & Kennison Andrews

    Travis Zehntner and Kennison Andrews clawed their way to victory, in exciting double-points JBT Southern California Conference action at San Diego's Kearny Mesa Bowl.

    Cameron Smith opened the scratch division stepladder finals with a big 236-162 win over Kevin Jones, who made back-to-back finals appearances on the weekend.  Brandon Kraye, so comfortable on the PBA Shark pattern laid out for the event (and a winner on Shark two weeks prior in Las Vegas), then beat Smith 256-217.  Brandon followed that up with a 235-217 win over Northern California bowler Ryan Peden, to reach the title match. 

    Top seed Zehtner shot 500 for the last two games of the semifinals to leap into the top seed, but things looked bleak early in the title match, as Kraye's four-bagger put him way behind.  However, much like the majestic and noble badger often found roaming the California woodlands, Travis just kept on attacking, coming up with a five-bagger of his own, while Brandon's pocket 7-10 in the seventh proved to be fatal.   In the end, Zehntner's 234-203 win was good for his first career JBT title, finally getting the badger... oops, I mean monkey, off his back.

    Andrews, a first-time finalist, was absolutely unstoppable in the handicap stepladder finals, beginning with a 227 game that beat Leann Kampley (193) and Wesley Low (184).  His 211 match two effort was good enough to oust Karlie Loop (182) and Isaiah Cleveland (163).  In a tight semifinal match, Kennison fired 204 and edged Robert Lim (196) and Steven Acuff (181) to advance to his first title match.

    Top seed Jacob Camacho was enjoying his best JBT event ever, recovering from -62 after three games to grab the top seed away from Acuff after the 8th game- what a great run!  However, the run ended a game short, as he struggled in the title match.  Meanwhile, Andrews saved the best for last, throwing great shots en route to a 200+ scratch game, and a 253-209 victory, good for his first career JBT title.

    Thanks as always to the whole crew at Kearny Mesa Bowl for a great weekend in San Diego.  Almost $4,000 in scholarships were awarded over the weekend- want in on all this fun and excitement?  Come on out to the next JBT event, it really is that simple!