AMF PEORIA

champs JR Monteith & Cody Taylor

JR Monteith and Cody Taylor captured JBT titles in exciting Arizona Conference action at AMF Peoria Lanes.

The scratch division stepladder finals opened with one of the highest-scoring matches in JBT history, as Steven Pizzi ran the front nine strikes but still had to convert a 3-10 in the tenth to wrap up a 278-268 win over Chris Weyrauch.  JR Monteith then cooled of Pizzi, 201-184, before squeaking by a much improved Miguel Lopez 223-214 to reach the title match.

Top seed Mike Cross continued his hot early-season run by easily leading the field on a day when other lefties didn't fare so well.  However, JR has been just as hot, having won last weekend in So Cal.  This match turned into an unexpected rout for Monteith as Mike just couldn't get dialed in, and the resulting 223-167 win gave JR the 9th victory of his JBT career.

A large contingent of home-house bowlers did very well in the handicap division, beginning with Nicki Nunez, who opened the handicap division stepladder with a 227 game that advanced over Lee Kirby (194) and Devon McCormick (181).  Another local, Michael Bonkowske, then fired a 234 to beat Gabriel Gil (187) and Nunez (194). In a terrific semifinal battle, Cody Taylor rolled a 213 to eliminate Bonkowske and John Brooks, who both came up just short at 203 each.

Top seed Anthony Bonkowske was enjoying his best JBT so far, and looked to avenge his little brother's defeat against Taylor in a match of home-house friends.  Anthony struggled a little compared to his blistering pace previously, and Taylor was able to take advantage for a 227-205 win and his first career JBT title.

Big thanks to Lauren Fuller and the whole crew at Peoria for a great hosting job, we're very happy to have this fine center 'back in the rotation'!  Over $2,500 in scholarships was awarded at the event- want in on the fun?  Come on out to the next JBT event, it's as simple as that!