TENPINS & MORE

champs Cortez Schenck & Brittany Leiby

        Cortez Schenck and Brittany Leiby survived 'march madness' to win titles in exciting JBT New Mexico - Texas Conference action at Tenpins & More @ Rio Rancho.

        After five qualifying games, the top sixteen bowlers in each division began head to head matchplay, with the highest all-conference point scorers receiving the top seeds.  Two of the visiting Australian bowlers made the cut, but both fell in round one, as Riley Dempsey beat Madeline Kemp 480-409, and Curtis Lindeman, whose earlier 297 was the high game of the tournament, beat Jayden Leming 416-373.

        Eventually the sweet sixteen were carved to the final four, and in those matches, Cameron Smith beat Lindeman 259-216, while Schenck eliminated Aaron Raymond 207-170 to set up the title game. In that match between two of the JBT team competing against the Aussies, it was the up and coming Cortez defeating the established star Cameron 231-205 to win the title.  It's the second scratch win of the thirteen year-old's JBT career, and fifth overall JBT title.

        You had to strike a lot to win handicap matches, as 11 of the sweet 16 bowlers rolled 400 or better for their two games, led by Kyler Duggins' 492 total.  Eventually only four remained, and in those matches, Brittany Leiby eliminated Duggins 217-202, while Casey Harvey beat #1 overall seed Steven Acuff 202-197, to set up the title match.

        Harvey started slowly in the title match, but Leiby let him off the hook with late open frames of her own, but in the end she had just enough left for the 194-191 win, good for the first title of her JBT career.

        Day 1 of the JBT-Australia challenge ended in a 2-2 deadlock, as bowlers split their doubles matches.

        Megan Carlson won her tied for tour-high fourth Impact Bowling Women's Series title of the season with a 237-135 win over Australian bowler Madeline Kemp.  Carlson has had a great spring that has put herself in the JBT Girls Bowler of the Year race.

        Thanks as always to Steve Mackie and the crew at Tenpins for a great job hosting our Tour.  Over $1,700 in scholarships were awarded by bowlers of all averages and ages- if you want in on the fun, check out our schedule and come on down, it's that simple!