TENPINS & MORE

champs Billy Read & Allie May; JBT and Australia challenge teams (Ben Johns, Sara Vargas, Tamara Hamsworth, Zac Kemp, Joshua Kemp, Jayden Leming, Amber Robinson, Megan Carlson, Madeline Kemp, Tameka Tritton, Louise Ingoe, Cameron Smith, Marina Stever, Cortez Schenck, Riley Dempsey, Alexis Atkin, Curtis Lindeman)

        Billy Read and Allie May topped big fields to win JBT titles, but the Australian crew showed the teamwork needed to win the JBT's challenge, in exciting New Mexico-Texas Conference JBT action at Rio Rancho's Tenpins & More.

        Since they bowl for a college team coached by twin brothers (West Texas), it made sense that twin brothers Tim and Tom Crites managed to qualify 4-5 for the scratch stepladder finals.   Tim came up with the tenth frame strike to win the game192-184, and rode that momentum to a 204-151 win over first time scratch finalist Brandon Gill.  Arizona's Joe Lewandowski then stopped Crites in the semifinal 183-160 to reach the title match.

        Top seed Billy Read rolled a strong semifinal set on the very demanding New Mexico Open pattern to take over the lead, and found himself in a grindout match- very typical for the day- against Lewandowski.  Somehow, Joe came up with a brilliant double in the tenth frame to force Billy to do the same.  Despite the daunting task, Read came up with an equally perfect double of his own for a low scoring but thrilling 177-167 win, good for the 7th title of the veteran bowler's JBT career.

        Jennifer Valenzuela began the 8-bowler handicap stepladder finals with a 202 game that was enough to beat Trevor Thompson (194) and Lindsey Sanchez (173).  Olivia Silva then fired 216 in round two to stop Valenzuela (196) and KJ Martinez (190).  Taylor Simpson then reached her first title match with a 211 game that eliminated Silva (199) and Cerra Strickland (177).

        Top seed Allie May broke out of a tough stretch to lead the big field after eight games, and remained in control the entire title match.  She won the game 203-177 for the first title of her young JBT career!

        In a match between two ladies who easily made the main tournament's scratch cut, top seed Marina Stever won her tour-high fifth Impact Bowling Women's Series title of the season with a 158-150 win over Hannah Stedman.  With the win she also takes over the points lead for JBT Girls Bowler of the Year!

        No Australians made the finals, but they began the day with a sweep of the Baker Team event in the JBT vs. Australia challenge, and that proved to be the difference in a 27-19 overall victory.  The Aussies swept their week in New Mexico, beating a team of Albuquerque juniors in a week long series, and beating the UNM team in another challenge match.  What a treat for all of us at JBT to meet and compete with these terrific bowlers!

        Thanks as always to Steve Mackie, Connie Scheer, Mike Miller, and the crew at Tenpins for another great job hosting our Tour.  A NM-TX Conference singles-record 97 bowlers shared in over $2,400 in scholarships earned.  There's still time to get in on teh fun this season- check out our schedule, pick an event, and come on down, that's all there is to it!

JBT-Australia challenge results