NM-TX DOUBLES CLASSIC

champs Josh Helmick - Jim Tillery & Kory Hetmer - Mike Hetmer

        Two adult-youth teams topped very big fields to earn titles at the JBT NM-TX Doubles Classic, hosted by Tenpins & More @ Rio Rancho.

        In a match that had to happen eventually, since all of them have been bowling this event since its inception ten years ago, the Carpers and Mackies went head to head to open the scratch division stepladder finals.  In the game, Janeyl Carper and Dana Miller-Mackie (who have bowled this event as a team every year, winning in the handicap division in 2004), defeated Paul Carper and Steve Mackie (the defending scratch division champions) 245-193.  West Texas A&M teammates Aaron Johnston and Jimmy Ewell then tossed 11 strikes together for a 278-211 win over Carper & Mackie.  The father-son combo of Mason and Kevin Edmondson then beat Johnston and Ewell 217-211 to advance to the title match.

        Top seeds Josh Helmick and Jim Tillery had been at or near the top of the leaderboard all day long, but the one-game, Baker-format final game can often be tough on bowlers in that position.  It was no trouble for the talented duo though, as they combined for a big 258-2223 win over the Edmondsons to capture the championship, the first win of Helmick's career, joining big brother Matt as JBT champions.

        The father-son duo of Mike and Kory Hetmer just snuck into the handicap finals, then stormed up the stepladder to capture the title.  They began with a 185-180 win over a mother-son combo, Bari and Zach Harvey.   The Hetmers then beat Austin and Bryan Eddington 197-147, and followed with a 179-163 triumph over Ben Stedman and star JBT alumni Billy Grant to reach the title game.

        Top seeds Micayla Scheer and Bob Dillman led five of the seven rounds on the day, with Micayla bowling well over her average, and Bob knocking the pins dead at a 246 clip.   However, the Hetmers were riding a wave of momentum from the previous three wins, and they had just enough left for a 215-191 win, good for a $400+ payday for Kory, and more importantly, his first career JBT title.

        Thanks to all our JBT alumni, and adults who took the time to bowl with today's JBT bowlers, as well as Steve Mackie and the crew at Tenpins for another fantastic job promoting and hosting one of the best events of the year (and the biggest Doubles event of the season Tour-wide).  Thanks in part to the big turnout, over $4,500 in prizes were awarded to bowlers of all ages and averages.  Want in on the fun and excitement?  Just check out our schedule and come on down, it's that simple!