BOWLIUM

champs Justin Sims & Shauna Schultz

            Justin Sims finally broke through for his first JBT title, while Shauna Schultz put on a spare clinic to claim her third, in exciting JBT Southern California Conference action at Montclair's Bowlium.

            The scratch division used our nervewracker format, with matches tied at 1-1 going directly to a one-shot rolloff.  That combined with a very challenging pattern led to some real grindout matches, none more exciting than the Adam Dubia-Jordan Ferrer round one match, which went to four rolloffs before Adam survived 8-6.  In the semifinals, everyone struggled, but Sims escaped from Curtis "Y U no win" Lindeman, while Mark Myers lofted his way to a 199-198 game two win and sweep of Bobby Hornacek, who is always tough in matchplay formats.

            Myers had been adjusting his two-handed game constantly to adapt to the tricky shot, but Sims developed the same good look that carried him to the Palm Springs title match in February, except this time the carry was in his favor, and he cruised to the sweep over Myers for the title, the long awaited first of his JBT career.

            Nick Condon relieved his parents by making the finals, then beat Julian Zavala 203-177 to win round one of the handicap stepladder finals.  Nick then got past early-rounds leader Peter Hugelmaier 201-164. Alyssa Tucker, a winner earlier this season, then bet Hugelmaier 209-181 to advance to another title match.

            Top seed Shauna Schultz is a big fan of Bowlium, having won the So Cal Invitational here, and found herself atop the standings in Montclair again.  She appeared to be in control against Tucker, until Alyssa caught fire at the end, rolling six of the last seven strikes to force Shauna to mark.  After sparing 10-pins in the last two frames, Schultz left another one in the tenth, and calmly converted it for the exciting 240-231 win, and the third title of her JBT career.

            Tucker's frustration continued in the Impact Bowling Women's Series title match, as Ashley Dunn came up with a nice game to defeat Tucker and capture her third Women's Series title, qualifying her for the 2012 Girls TPC this July.

            Thanks to the whole crew at Bowlium for a great job hosting us- the center has been beautifully upgraded- check it out sometime if you're in the area!  Over $1,800 was awarded to bowlers of all averages and ages- get in on the fun by coming on down to the next JBT event, it's that simple!