SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INVITATIONAL

Elias O'Hollaren, Brandon Rother, Jon Abigania, Katelyn Abigania, Cerell Cardines, Josh Molloy

          Cerell Cardines and Jon Abigania earned $1,000 scholarships each as champions of the JBT Southern California Conference Invitational tournament, hosted by Winnetka Bowl.

          Sixteen scratch and handicap bowlers advanced out of qualifying to the exciting triple-elimination matchplay finals.  In scratch, Chris Mayes began matchplay 3-0 in a quest to chase down his brother for Bowler of the Year, but slowed down in later matches to finish in sixth, while Hunter’s 11^th place finish was just enough to hang on to Bowler of the Year honors.  A wild round eight saw Elias O’Hollaren eliminated in fourth, which gave Josh Molloy a bye, while Cardines then beat Kyler Orosco (who had just fallen to Molloy) to set up a one game title match.

          Cardines had been on an unprecedented title match losing streak for such a talented bowler, but finally got off the schneid last month at Covina, and followed it up with a solid game here to take the title, the 19^th of his outstanding JBT career.

          In the handicap division, Brandon Rother qualified as the #2 seed, and then tore through matchplay 5-0 before his first loss, eventually recovering to eliminate Jerry Wang in 4^th place.  Simultaneously, Abigania eliminated Nathan Chambers in third, setting up a scenario of Brandon needing to win two straight to swipe the title from Jon.  Rother fired a huge first game to set up the decider, and in that match Abigania recovered to beat Rother and capture the title.  It’s his first singles JBT title, second career, and $1,000 bonus for the talented rising star.  Jon's win also meant that Lindsay Greim hung on to the points lead she entered the weekend with to capture handicap Bowler of the Year honors.

          The Abigania fsmily’s excellent day continued as Katelyn led scratch qualifying, which put her in both subdivision title matches.  She won girls scratch with a final win over handicap top qualifier Kaitlynn Yukihiro, but friend and teammate Elias O’Hollaren beat her out for the U17 crown. 

          Huge thanks to Daniel and the team at Winnetka for hosting a very successful Invitational weekend.  Over $8,000 was awarded this weekend alone to all ages and skill levels.  Top bowlers now move on to the Touring Players Championship, featuring $2,000 top prizes, July 28-31 in Vegas!

JBT INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENTS

$25,000 in scholarships

MINIMUM GUARANTEED!

Mountain: May 22, 9:30 AM, at Silva Lanes

So Cal: June 5, 9:30 AM, at Winnetka Bowl

Mojave: June 12, 9:30 AM, at Suncoast

Arizona: June 18, 9:30 AM, at Let It Roll   (T of C/ non-C Sunday 6/19)

Pac NW: June 26, 9:30 AM, at Paradise Lanes

ENTRY FEE: $60 scratch, $50 handicap

 Includes all scholarships except $2 scholarship brackets in both divisions

Eligibility:

Each event is open to anyone making a top-4 finish in that Conference this season,

OR the top 32 in season-long points in that Conference

Format:

-QUALIFYING: Bowl 5 games across 10 lanes.   The top eleven 5-game totals, plus the top 5 season-long point scorers, advance to the triple-elimination finals!  (If a top-5 player does not show or chooses to bowl in the opposite division, additional bowlers will be taken to complete a 16-player field)

-FINALS: Bowlers will play TRIPLE elimination match play (keep bowling until you lose 3 times), until a winner is determined

***FORMATS, DATES, AND PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING SUBJECT TO COVID RESTRICTIONS, WHICH MAY BE VERY DIFFERENT FROM TODAY.  STAY POSTED AT OUR WEBSITE & FACEBOOK!

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GUARANTEED PRIZE FUNDS, each event:

1^st-$1,000

2^nd- $500

3^rd- $250

4^th- $125

5^th- $100

Additional spots earn scholarships on a 1:6 ratio

PLUS The top 5 point scorers going into each Invite will have Invite winnings augmented to $50 minimum

ALL OTHER JBT RULES APPLY. SEE YOU THERE, DON’T MISS IT!!!