BOWLIUM

champs Wesley Low & Brooke Martinez

        Wesley Low reached an even higher career high, while Brooke Martinez finally earned her first singles win, in exciting JBT So Cal Conference action at Montclair's Bowlium.

        The scratch division used the do-or-die nervewracker format, where after a five game qualifier, bowlers played two game matches.  If the match was tied 1-1, a one-shot rolloff ensued, creating a test of nerves and of clutch performances.  Form held well in round one, with only #7 Joe Grondin falling victim to an upset, as #10 Oscar Chan got some very well-timed carry on a 9-8 win.  Eventually down to four bowlers, the two-handed righties played each other, with Ben Canfield defeating top seed Kyle Duster 2-0, and and the looks-like-they are-two-handed lefties playing each other, with Wesley Low defeating Jakob Butturff 2-0 to join Ben in the title match.

        Wesley had one his last two JBT events, the Palm Springs / Morongo doubleheader, and took over in the title game, beating Ben easily in two straight games to earn the victory, the 12th of his career, and more impressively, his third straight.

        The handicap division used the classic format, and after sneaking into the handicap stepladder, Dillon Algustoski began a climb up said ladder with a 218-211 win over James McGough.  Dillon then got by fellow Hemet bowler Nick Condon 214-206, and followed with a 224-186 win over Lumberjack Dvorak to climb to the title match.

        Top seed Martinez had led seven of the eight rounds, and though there's been close calls, the veteran had yet to win a singles title (she does have a doubles crown with brother KJ).  It looked like it was going to be more heartbreak for Brooke, but a 10th frame open from Algustoski reversed the outcome, and Martinez claimed that long awaited singles title with a 198-193 win.

        Courtney Brown, who led the first three rounds in the main tournament en route to a fifth place finish, capped off her fine day with a 248-124 drubbing of Brittany Kolatzny to win the day's JBT Women's Series event.

        Thanks as always to the crew at Bowlium, now helmed by new owners Scott and Teresa Poddig, for the great hospitality.  Want in on all this excitement?  Get out to the next JBT event, that's all there is to it!