RED ROCK LANES

champs Ben Canfield & Destiny Johnson

        Ben Canfield and Destiny Johnson had the antidotes to the rest of the field, capturing JBT titles in exciting 'pick yer poison' action at the amazing Red Rock Lanes in Las Vegas.

        In this format, after five games, the top seeds pick who they want to bowl against in 2-game head to head matches.  Newcomer Brendan Thomas led qualifying at a 220+ average on a challenging Shark pattern, but could not get past #7 Josh Franz, who pulled out a 352-350 win.  Meanwhile, Canfield had been in a rut of great qualifying rounds and bat matchplay rounds, so he decided to go the opposite route.  He barely squeaked into the cut, then got hot to beat Eric Hatchett 471-433, and Dallas Leong 486-418 to reach the final four.

        In single game semifinal matches, Cortez Schenck stopped Franz 220-162, and Ben stopped previous day's champ Russ Oviatt 244-211 to reach the title game.  It was the first title match between these two decorated champions, and in the game Ben continued his torrid pace, defeating Schenck 238-216 for the win, the 8th of his JBT career.

        Jopfel Gafate was the top handicap qualifier, but he too did not pick wisely, as Garrett Thompson got red hot to beat him 495-406.  Thompson fell in round two though to Joe Gerencser, who beat him 444-404 to move on to the final 4.  In those matches, Abby Franklin beat Gerencser 206-190, and Destiny Johnson beat Crystakene Pineda 216-208, setting up a title match between good friends Destiny and Abby.

        Title matches between friends are often as strange as the ones between siblings, like the Martinez family's the day before.  However, both bowlers remained focused and bowled good games, with Destiny coming out on top 212-201 for the title.  It's the first of her career, but second for her family, as she joins father Raymond to become the first parent-child pair of JBT singles champs in our 18-season history! 

        Pineda's good day also included leading the simultaneous Women's Series event, but she didn't have the answer for Randi Speiler in the title match.  Randi completed her excellent weekend with a 188-163 win to sweep the Women's Series on the weekend.

        Thanks as always to Red Rock for hosting our Tour.  Want in on all the fun?  Check out our schedule and come on down!

Destiny and Ray, the first parent - child singles champs in JBT history!