SO CAL BAKER SHOOTOUT

champs Marco Flores, Israel Ramirez, Gael Egana, Jeff Rodda, and Zach Greim in front;

runners-up Russ Oviatt, Ben Canfield, Matt Zweig, Harley Sweigart, Jacob Murray in back

        In one of the best feel-good stories of the year, a team of So Cal kids no older than 15 dispatched a team mostly made up of the nationally ranked ASU bowling team, to capture the JBT So Cal Baker Shootout held at Montclair's Bowlium.

       After 12 games of Baker qualifying, 'Team Storm' (Marco Flores, Israel Ramirez, Gael Egana, Jeffrey Rodda, Zach Greim) qualified 5th for the best 2-of-3 matchplay rounds.  Consistently bowling against teams with much higher averages (and ages), they used the teamwork and chemistry that Baker bowling tests to advance all the way to the finals.  The odds were that their fantastic run would end there, as they played Jacob Murray, just sneaking in as the required under-170 bowler, 3/5 of the starters on the ASU college team (Matt Zweig, Russ Oviatt, Harley Sweigart), and ASU alum and PBA rookie Ben Canfield. 

      Team Storm did get 32 bonus pins per game (due to extra under-170 bowlers), but to the astonishment (and delight) of most of the crowd, they didn't need them in either game, as they beat the ASU team scratch 222-180, and 221-174, to sweep the title match and win the event.  In a situation that could have been ripe for cranky college kids, the runners-up were absolute gentleman in congratulating the jubilant winners- truly a win-win for youth bowling from every perspective.

        Huge thanks to the adults who took their Saturday night to bowl with today's youth, and to the team at Bowlium for letting us bowl on a Saturday night.  Want in on the most fun around?   Just check out our website and come on down!