ISLETA FUN CONNECTION

champs Ahkeen Williams & Isaac Duran

        Ahkeen Williams and Isaac Duran both pulled out dramatic tenth frame victories to earn JBT titles in exciting New Mexico-Texas Conference action at Isleta Fun Connection.

        Super-survivor continues to be a favorite format, with three bowlers eliminated per round after the standard 5-game cut: the  lowest score that round, and the two lowest overall totals.  In the scratch division, fifteen survivors were eventually carved down to three.  In the ensuing three-way semifinal, birthday boy Brandon Gill advanced with 242, while Williams got the spare he needed to edge previous day's champ Cortez Schenck 212-202 and join Brandon in the finale.

        The title match proved that scores don't need to be high to provide an exciting game, as both bowlers struggled a bit and couldn't pull away from the other.  After Ahkeen spared in the tenth, Gill was forced to double in his tenth to win.  Brandon's first shot was his best of the match to that point and crushed the rack, but a seemingly identical second ball left a brutal ringing-10 pin, giving the stunned Williams a 176-171 win, and the third title of his JBT career.

        In the handicap division, eighteen survivors were chopped down to three as well, and in their semifinal game, Isaac Duran reached the title game with a big 236, but his brother Nathan couldn't join him, as his 165 fell to Ryan Byer's 223, setting up a title match between two non-champions.

        Byer, the cousin of 16-time champ Andy Byer, was in his first title match just a day after his first top five finish.  He was in control until late in the game, where two opens in three frames handed Duran the lead.  However, Byer recovered with a brilliant double in the tenth, forcing Isaac to fill 20 pins in his tenth to win.  Duran struck on the first shot, but left a 5-pin on the second ball, which had everyone holding their breath, as he had missed three 9-counts, including a 5-pin, earlier in the match.  This time, though, Isaac covered the spare, earning a dramatic 177-176 win, and the first title of his JBT career.

        Sportsmanship was notably terrific between all four finalists and their families, always a terrific thing to see in the tense environment of JBT title matches- well done everyone!

        Sara Vargas answered her sister's Women's Series win the day before with another of her own, 183-156 over Alexis Atkin.  Both girls remain in contention at the top of the all-conference girls points list.

        Thanks to the crew at Isleta for an excellent job hosting our Tour for the first time.  Over $2,500 was earned over the weekend by all ages and averages- want in on the fun?  Check out our schedule and come on down, that's all there is to it!