MESA EAST BOWL

champs and finalists

            A pair of Tucsonans conquered Mesa, picking up JBT titles in exciting Arizona Conference action at Mesa East Bowl.

            Katelyn Abigania began the scratch division stepladder finals with a 181-176 win over Alex Rosenblum, in a match indicative of the very tricky 2025 USBC Masters pattern.  Jacob Vasquez then snuck by Abigania, moving on to the title match.  Garrett Kelsay had a brilliant second round to jump in to the number one spot, but both bowlers showed some late nerves as they looked for their first scratch title.  In the end, Kelsay had just enough for the win, outlasting Vasquez for that first career victory.

            RJ Grace won a nailbiter round one of the handicap finals with a 194-192 win over 7 year-old Harvey Howe, who continues to impress at that young age.  Abigail Hunt then threw a big game to stop Grace 244-187.  Top seed newcomer Isaac Emery showed no fear of the tricky pattern, leading since game 5, but could not find the same look in the final.  Hunt, however, stayed on a roll, firing another solid game for the 229-205 win and the third title of her JBT career.

            In a battle of the top two JBT girls, Katelyn Abigania beat Kendall Bollea for the girls scratch title, while Jason Gootzeit got by Christian Ortega for his second U17 win of the season.

            Huge thanks to the team at Mesa East for their usual flawless hosting job. Want in on all this fun for all ages and skill levels?  Just check out our schedule and email your reservations today!

Date: Saturday April 5, 2025  (This is ONE tournament that is one day long, open to anyone age 21 & under as of 8/1/24). 

Start Time: Bowling begins at Noon.

Re-entries?:  There's only one qualifying squad, so there are no re-entries this event..

Reservations:  Please email director@bowljbt.com to reserve a spot.  You can prepay (not required) at the 'Prepaying' section of this website.  Reservations (paid or unpaid) must check in no later than 15 minutes before start time.  At that time, all bowlers will be taken on a first come, first serve basis until the field is full.

Format: Qualifying round is 5 games.  The top 40% roll 3 additional games, with the top 4 bowling a stepladder finals.  Scratch bowlers will also use the 'mulligan' format, with 'do-overs' to strategically use (or not)!

Divisions/ Averages:  Scratch or handicap.  It is the bowlers' choice of division.  Also, everyone age 16 or under as of 8/1/24 is automatically entered in the U-17 side event.   Also, every female is automatically entered in the Girls Scratch side event.   If this is your first JBT event this season, we will be asking for average info.  In most cases, your highest average from any current form of organized competition of at least 15 games is what we need.  If you bowl in multiple leagues / clubs, bring everything and we'll sort it out for you.  If you don't have 15+ games in any organized competition this season, we need your finishing 23-24 average, and any 2024 summer averages.  After your first JBT event, your average is re-rated before every JBT event according to JBT rules.  Please see JBT Rule 13 for complete details.

Points:  This event counts for AZ and All-Conference points.  Points qualify you for the big money season-ending Invitationals and Touring Players Championship, so get all you can.  Visit the 'statistics' section of the website to check on your points.  At the end of the season, the top 40 in AZ points, plus anyone who had TWO top-5 finishes in AZ events this season, advance to their respective Invitationals.

Entry fee: $60.  Scholarship brackets are available for $2 each.  Raffle tickets for bowling balls from the brands of Brunswick, and our PowerBowl and '29' jackpots, are available on-site. 

Sponsor Incentive bonuses:  1) IAM Bowling: Bowlers making the final match of an event (scratch or handicap) wearing an IAM patch (good), any IAM shirt (better), or an IAM JBT shirt (best) earn point bonuses towards a $5,000 IAM incentive jackpot.  (The IAM patch is requested to be worn by all bowlers).   2) Virtue Bowling: Bowlers making the final match of an event (scratch or handicap, win or lose), using a Virtue Bowling shirt or patch, and a Virtue drilled ball, earn a $25 Virtue gift card.  

Scholarships: 1:6 in each division earn scholarships, scratch and handicap.  Minimum prizes are $300, $150, $100, $60.  Bowlers must finish in the top 5 twice this season in that conference to qualify for that conference's Invitational, which features $1,000 for first place.  Bowlers who finish in the top 20 in a conference's points race, or the top 120 in all-conference points, qualify for the Touring Players Championship, featuring $2,900 for first.

Lane conditions: conditions vary from event to event, and are not posted prior to the event (unless otherwise announced).  Some events do not post the pattern until after qualifying, or even at all.  Be ready for anything- it makes you a better bowler!  Check out previous patterns and corresponding cut scores at the 'lane conditions' section of this website to get a good idea of what you might expect.

Dress code:  Anything goes EXCEPT tank tops, gym shorts, clothing promoting alcohol, drugs, or firearms, or excessively ripped or short clothing, subject solely to the director's discretion.  However, bowlers wearing slacks or dress shorts/skirts, and a 'name shirt' or PBA-style 'dye-sub' shirt, or college or high school team shirt, earn an extra 10 points on their season-long points total.  If you're not sure about dress code, check with us.  If you're new to us, the vast majority of the bowlers do dress in the 'bonus' dress code, and those points become very important, so plan accordingly.

RESERVED BOWLERS:

This reservation is an expectation that you will be bowling.  PLEASE do not forget to contact us if you need to cancel or adjust your reservation.  Repeated 'no-shows' may result in you not being able to reserve a spot.  This list may not be updated after the Friday of the event as we travel, etc.  However, walk-ins / late entries are still gladly accepted as space permits.  We'll  post here clearly if an event is nearing sellout or sold out.