SANTA FE STATION

champs Cortez Schenck and Jason Pappas

        Cortez Schenck stayed red-hot, while Jason Pappas had to wait an extra day to finally claim his first victory, in dramatic JBT Mojave Conference action at Santa Fe Station Lanes.

        An unexpected scheduling conflict resulted in the unprecedented move of delaying the stepladder finals until the following day- we'd like to thank the bowlers, parents, and center staff for staying calm and flexible during these most unusual circumstances.  Scores were low all day(s) on the challenging pattern, and many bowlers were gladly helped by the event's 'best 4' format, where their low qualifying game was dropped.

        After a night to think about it, Derek Acuff began the scratch stepladder finals with a 237-191 win over fellow Arizona bowler Riley Dempsey.  Derek then beat Nick Pollak, making a successful return to the Tour, 202-165.  Cortez Schenck then slowed Acuff's roll with a 215-168 semifinal win to move on to the title match.

        Top seed Jakob Butturff has been an unstoppable force all season, again leading here and needing just one win for the title.  Schenck started strong but Jakob clawed back in mid-game, and Cortez' tenth frame washout looked like it would spell doom.  However, needing a mark, Butturff left a 2-7 which he failed to convert, giving the stunned Schenck a 197-193 win, and the seventh title (already) of his JBT career!

         Jozef Corwin must have come up with a good strategy overnight, as he began the handicap division stepladder finals with a 199-182 win over Megan Carlson.  Cerell Cardines then edged Corwin in a thriller, 200-199.  #2 seed Pappas then stopped Cardines 200-184 to advance to the title match.

        Top seed Zachary Campbell stayed at or near the lead all day Saturday, then had to think about his first JBT title match overnight.  He bowled very well, but Pappas stayed with him, and the match came down to the final shot.  On that last ball, Zachary got a 7-count, resulting in a 219 tie, appropriate enough for a tournament that refused to end.  In the tiebreaker both bowlers were strong again, but it was Pappas who survived 44-39, to earn the first title of his JBT career.  Jason and Cortez both earn $300 for first, courtesy of Station Casinos.

        Carlson avenged her loss in the main tournament with a 173-133 win over Randi Speiler to capture the day's Women's Series event, keeping her at the top of the standings early on this season.

        Want in on fun and excitement that only JBT provides? Check out our schedule and come on down!