NM-TX INVITATIONAL

champs Dallas Leong, Adel Wahner, and Thomas Whitley

        Dallas Leong, Adel Wahner, and Thomas Whitley captured JBT major titles, winning their divisions of the New Mexico-Texas JBT Invitational tournament, hosted by Starlight Lanes at Santa Ana Star Casino.

        Cortez Schenck grabbed the top seed for the tense triple-elimination matchplay rounds, and survived the first four rounds undefeated, but things fell apart from there, as he lost to Ahkeen Williams, Dallas Leong, and William Yoder to bow out in fifth.  In the same round, #3 Danny Cobine got a bye, while Leong elimiated Williams.  That left three survivors, and this time Leong got the bye, while Yoder ousted Cobine, setting up a one game title match.  The final game was well bowled, and after Yoder doubled in the ninth and tenth, Dallas needed to double to capture the title.  Leong calmly threw a perfect double, winning the game 226-221, for a sweep of the weekend and the $1,000 windfall for his 11th career JBT title.

        #14 Noah Martinez had the best early run in matchplay, starting 5-0.  However he then last three straight, ending with a loss to #11 Jeremiah McClelon to finish in fourth, which was enough to wrap up Bowler of the Year.  In that same round, top qualifier Thomas Whitley gave #5 Jake Lucero his second loss.  That left three bowlers, so McClelon got a bye, and in a close rematch it was Whitely eliminating Lucero, setting up a scenario where Jeremiah had to beat Thomas twice to win the title.  Whitley was able to win the first game, locking up his first career JBT title and $1,000 top scholarship prize. 

        Adel Wahner had a fantastic season everywhere, including five girls wins in her home state.  She played fellow Las Cruces bowlers Vanessa Romero for the Girls Invitational title, and in that match rolled to the win and $200 bonus prize.

        The top 20 in season long points now advance to the TPC to play the best of the JBT best for the $2,000 top prizes!   Thanks to the team at Starlight for a great job hosting a busy weekend.  Want in on all the fun?  Just check out our schedule and come on down, that's all there is to it!