NM-TX INVITATIONAL

champs Matt Helmick and Morgan Ellis, with Girls Invitational champ Bree Vargas

        Matt Helmick, Morgan Ellis, and Bree Vargas captured titles in the NM-TX Conference JBT Invitational Tournament, hosted by Leisure Bowl in Albuquerque.

        Matt's brother Josh was the leading qualifier after five games, mastering the two different patterns (shark left lane, cheetah right lane) to earn the top seed.  He needed the bye he earned in round five of the ensuing triple-elimination matchplay, though, as he already had two losses by that round.  Meanwhile,  Cortez Schenck began 5-0, before finally being slowed down by Danny Cobine in round six.   

        Eventually down to four bowlers, Schenck eliminated Josh Helmick, while Matt Helmick, still with only one loss, eliminated Cobine, meaning Cortez had to beat Matt twice to win the title.  The first game remained close until a missed single pin from Schenck in the eighth turned things irrevocably in Helmick's favor.  Matt won the match 202-181, earning the third title of his JBT career, first major, and the $1,000 top scholarship prize.

         Handicap division qualifying was completely dominated by Josh Demick, but he too struggled early in matchplay, just hanging on long enough to get his round five bye.  He lasted until round seven, where Morgan Ellis eliminated him.  Also in that round, Sophie Diaz eliminated Audrey Campbell, and Alex Benavidez handed Katie McNeil her second loss.  In the next round, Ellis beat Benavidez, and McNeil eliminated Diaz, giving all three remaining bowlers two losses, and Ellis a valuable bye.

        In the resulting semifinal match, McNeil beat Benavidez, setting up the all female finale.  Morgan turned up the energy in the title match, opening only once to beat McNeil 228-194, earning her first career JBT title and the $1,000 windfall.   McNeil was well-consoled though, as the $500 runner-up finish vaulted her to the handicap Bowler of the Year award.

        In the simultaneous Girls Invitational, Bree Vargas and defending champ Adel Wahner advanced to the title game.  In that match, late opens from Adel gave Vargas the edge she needed for a 193-168 win, and the $200 bonus, courtesy of Women's Series title sponsor Impact Bowling.

        Thanks to the crew at Leisure for another great job hosting our Tour.  Over $6,000 was awarded at this event alone!  Want your piece of that amazing amount?  Get out to NM-TX events when season 18 starts this September!