BRC ZONE MESA

champs Chris Weyrauch & Justin Givler

Chris Weyrauch ended a long victory drought, while Justin Givler tasted victory for the first time, in exciting JBT SW action at BRC Zone Mesa. 

A condensed version of the extremely popular new 'Best in the West' format was used for the event, which used a matchplay point system to determine the eight finalists in each division.  This produced many heartstopping moments all over the bowling center for the six hours of matches, which we hope was an exciting change of pace for our final event of the regular season.

The scratch finals opened with the 8 bowlers rolling one game, from which the top 4 advanced.  In that game, top point-scorers Mike Armstrong (234) and Chris Weyrauch (214) advanced, along with Kevin Saunders (226) and Theo Douthit (221).  Lanndyn Carnate (195), Savahna Porter (202), Eric Rubin (158), and Brandon Donnelly (210) were eliminated, finishing 5th-8th.

In the round of four, Saunders led with a 218, and Weyrauch followed with 214, eliminating Douthit (212) and Armstrong (193), setting up the title match.  In the finale, Weyrauch doubled in the tenth to lock up a 243-223 win, good four his fourth career JBT title, and first since 2003.

The handicap division had a 3-way tie for the eighth and final spot, and in that rolloff Brandon Davis struggled to 158, while Joey Longo defeated big brother Brandon Longo by one pin, 212-211, to advance.  In the first round of the finals, Kayla Frederick (246), Justin Givler (244), Samatha Aguilar (280), and Keanan Barton (216) all advanced, while top scorer Jay Prewitt (212), Chelsea Zemelka (198), Jason Moore (176), and Longo (199), were all eliminated.

Givler got hot in the round of four, firing a 228 to lead the scoring, followed by Frederick's 200 to join Justin in the final, ousting Barton (187) and Aguilar (184).  In the finale, Givler outlasted Frederick 200-181, to claim the first title of his JBT career. 

The field is now set for the 2006 JBT SW Arizona Invitational Tournament, the season's final event, featuring a guaranteed minimum $1,000 first place scholarship in each division.  Top season-long point scorers also qualify for the 2006 JBT SW Touring Players' Championship, featuring a guaranteed minimum $2,000 first place scholarship per division! 

Thanks to everyone at Zone Mesa for another great visit to one of our favorite centers.  102 entrants shared in over $1,500 in scholarships awarded.  Please continue to help spread the word about the terrific benefits of bowling JBT SW events!