SPIN ALLEY

champs Ryan Nikolas & Olivia Kolppa with U17 and Girls winners Jacob Mullen and Reagan Lorey

        Ryan Nikolas and Olivia Kollpa captured JBT titles in exciting action at Spin Alley in Shoreline.

        Kelsey Abrahamsen, who already had an exciting day, running the front nine strikes twice and finishing with 299 on the second attempt, began the scratch division stepladder finals with a 233-177 win over Aidghan Ziegler.  Jake Mullen then took advantage of the day's 'endless tenth' format to outstrike Abrahamsen 237-225 in round two.  Mullen, who was under the weather, was somehow up to the task again, putting an endless tenth win on Tyler Boe to advance to the title game.

        Top seed Ryan Nikolas was as steady as always, taking over the lead with a big final game.  Mullen used a lot of energy to get through the previous matches, and finally slowed down in the finale.  He did strike on his last shot to trigger one more endless tenth attempt, but it would take seven in a row against Nikolas' solid 238 effort.  Jake was able to get one strike, but when the second shot didn't fall, Ryan locked up the 14th win of his JBT career, extending his lead in the season points race in the process.

        Hunter Bower began a climb up the handicap ladder with a 222-208 win over Tyler DeLorm.  Bower then beat first-time JBT bowler Thomas Harpring 228-213.  Defending Bowler of the Year Payton Edwards then stopped Bower 234-190 to advance to the title game.

        Olivia Kolppa had been trying to break through for a top 5 finish, and finally did so in style here by earning the top seed.  Edwards, meanwhile, was trying to finally break through for a title, having finished runner-up four previous times.  The match came down to the tenth frame, and when Payton didn;t get the strike he needed, Kolppa notched her first career JBT title with the 221-214 win.

        Mullen was consoled with a win over Edwards for the day's U17 title, while Kelsey's outstanding day finished with a but more frustration, as Regan Lorey defeated her for the first Girls Scratch win of her JBT career.

        Thanks to Spin Alley for hosting our Tour for the first time.  Want in on all the fun for all ages and averages?  Just check out our schedule and come on down!