SAM'S TOWN

champs Cortez Schenck & Dayna Goshen

        Cortez Schenck tied a JBT legend, while Dayna Goshen tasted victory for the first time, in exciting JBT Mojave Conference action at Sam's Town.

        For the second consecutive day, Dallas Leong won round one of the stepladder finals, this time with a 223-212 win over Washington's Tyler Boe.   A surprisingly high-scoring duel on the difficult 'turnpike' lane condition followed in round two, with Zach Martinez throwing the high game of the day in a 246-237 win.  Schenck then stopped Martinez in an all-Arizona semifinal 214-176 to advance to yet another title match against Wesley Low.

        It's a privilege to have both current boys' Junior Gold champs bowl our events, and always exciting when they meet head to head, especially for titles.  After a Schenck blowout the day before, this match stayed close throughout, and got even more dramatic at the end thanks to the day's 'mulligan' format.  Both bowlers had saved one of their 'mulligans' (do-overs) for the title game.  Cortez used his early (and it didn't help), but salvaged his game with a late 4-bagger.  Low, meanwhile, saved his mulligan, and after missing a 7-pin in the ninth, still elected not to use it, saving it for his tenth where he would now need a double.  Wesley didn't strike on the first ball, used his mulligan, and again couldn't get the strike on the tough pattern, so Schenck escaped with a 208-201 win.  It's the 22nd victory of Schenck's career, tying him with all-time great Andrew Cain for 7th place on our all-time titles list.

        Jason Pappas began the handicap division stepladder finals with a 226-197 win over Zahn Bouder.  James Wilson then stopped Pappas 227-209, before Goshen turned the tables on James with a 221-204 win to advance to the championship match.

        Top seed April McDonnell grabbed the lead after game eight in a close race where five different bowlers held the lead throughout the day.    In a game where both ladies were in the title match for the first time, Dayna was able to defeat April 217-185, earning the first title of her JBT career.

        Although the handicap division didn't get mulligans, Alexis Atkin still managed to grab the second seed for the Women's Series event, and beat Sharyn Miayji 201-167 for the day's title.

        Thanks to the crew at Sam's Town for a great weekend at their excellent facility.  Nobody else offers the fun and opportunity for all ages and averages that JBT does, so get in on the fun by checking out our schedule and coming on down!