ISLETA FUN CONNECTION

champs Gabriel Siegel & Michael Newlon; Elizabeth Romero, Clifford Robbins4

        Two bowlers won their first career JBT titles in their second career starts, in exciting NM-TX Conference action at Isleta Fun Connection.

        Deo Benard, part of the winning mix-it-up team the day before, began the scratch division stepladder with a win over Elizabeth Romero, who had opened the day with a tournament-high 280.  Zach Wojciechowski then stopped Benard 193-179.  Gabriel Siegel then ended Wojo's quest for his 10th title with a 258-201 win to get to the final game.

        Top seed Harley Sweigart was looking to break a tie with Jakob Butturff for 6th on our all-time title list, but that would have to wait for another day as Harley never got comfortable on the final pair.  Newcomer Siegel, visiting from Colorado, stayed in control the entire game for a 212-171 win and his first career JBT title.

        Eric Gauna kept on his recent roll with a 222-207 win over Land Matthies to begin the handicap stepladder.  Gauna then edged Sommer Gouviea 218-210. The next match was the most exciting of the day, as Eric and Michael Newlon tied at 186, forcing a rolloff which Mewlon won 31-24 to move on to the title game.

        Top seed Clifford Robbins was dominant all day long, continuing a fantastic winter stretch Tour-wide.  However, he could not get locked in for the final game, and  Newlon became newly-won with a 221-183 win and his first career title.

        Benard added to Robbins' frustration with a win over Clifford to win the U17 event.  Priority Girls Scratch went to Lauren Jaramillo, capping off a terrific weekend with a win over Romero.

        Big thanks as always to the team at Iselta for another great job hosting our Tour.  Want in on all the fun?  Just check out our schedule and come on down!