NOB HILL BOWL

champs Daniel Hanson & Michael Creel

         Daniel Hanson swept the weekend, while Michael Creel doubled his title total, in exciting JBT Pacific Northwest Conference action at Nob Hill Bowl in Yakima.

         Scores were high all day on the 'Big Ben' oil pattern, and the scratch division stepladder finals were no exception.  Points leader Ryan Nikolas opened the finals with a 230-217 win over Tommie McNeal.    Kolby Crowell then cruised past Nikolas 224-174.  The semifinal match was a classic, as Crowell outstruck powerful Chris Tuholski 277-259 to reach the title game.

        Daniel Hanson found himself at the top of the standings after game eight for the second consecutive day.  He probably figured it would take a higher number to win this title match after Kolby's big game, and Hanson left no doubt, as only a seventh frame solid-8 stood between him and perfection.  The 11-strike, 279-202 win over Crowell was good for the 8th title of his JBT career, a sweep of the weekend in his return to the northwest, and the continuation of an incredible stretch of bowling for the talented RMU sophomore to be.

       Scores were through the roof in the handicap division finals on the unusually forgiving pattern, beginning with Brandon Nodland's 256-231 win over previous day's champ  Jordan Jonker.  Bradley Baltazar then made his first finals appearance a big success with a 302-242 win over Nodland, the second time in as many days a bowler has rolled over 300 with handicap in the finals.  Bradley rolled on in the semifinals, defeating Jordan Muir 246-204, to advance to the title game.  

        Top seed Michael Creel had his best day ever on the JBT lanes, crushing the pins all day, and he didn't slow down one bit in the title match.  In fact, he blasted 247 scratch for a 277-181 win over Baltazar, earning the 2nd title of his JBT career with the big win.

        AJ Schock and Kelsey Abrahamsen, both of whom made the regular scratch cut, went at it for the second straight day for the girls title.  This time, it was AJ who came out on top, winning an exciting 225-221 decision for the day's crown.

        Big thanks to Jim Kent and the crew at Nob Hill for their usual flawless hosting job.  Want in on all this fun and excitement for all ages and averages?  Just come on out to our next event, that's all you have to do!