SO CAL INVITATIONAL

champs Devin Bidwell and Tabetha Reynolds

    Devin Bidwell and Tabetha Reynolds earned $1,000 scholarships each as champions of the JBT's Southern California Conference Invitational Tournament, held at San Diego Naval Station's Admiral Robinson Lanes. 

    Ricky brown led the qualifying round, averaging almost 210 on an extremely demanding lane condition, but fell quickly in the exciting triple-elimination matchplay format after a cut to the top 16 bowlers.  Meanwhile, Bidwell qualified second, and tore through the early rounds, going 5-0 through the first five rounds. 

    With 8 bowlers left, Bidwell stayed on a roll, handing #4 Kyle King his second loss.  Meanwhile, #8 Jeff Spiesman eliminated #15 Matt Jones, #5 Miguel Lopez eliminated #14 Greg Garbera, and #10 JR Monteith eliminated #6 Theo Douthit.

    In round seven, five bowlers remained.  King earned a much-needed bye, and watched as Bidwell handed Spiesman his second loss, and Monteith eliminated Lopez, who finished in fifth place.  In round eight, Spiesman ousted King, while Bidwell eliminated Monteith, setting up a situation where Jeff would have to beat Devin three consecutive times to win the title.

    Despite a game effort from Spiesman, Bidwell was simply too tough, and seemed completely dialed in on the tough pattern.  He beat Spiesman in the first game, 211-184,to lock up the title, becoming only the second bowler in JBT history to go undefeated in Invitational matchplay (9-0).  The $1,000 winners' prize for his third career JBT title pushed his career JBT earnings over the $5,000 mark!

    Devin Moody earned the top seed in the handicap division after qualifying, and got through the first five rounds of matchplay with only one loss.  #2 qualifier Tabetha Reynolds did Devin one better, though, going a perfect 5-0 in the early rounds.  In round six, Reynolds handed Moody his second loss, while #7 Chris Tucker beat #16 Jacob Camachom #15 Karlie Loop eliminated #4 Samantha Meyers, and #5 Kirk Chui gave #11 Drew Stern loss #2.

    In round seven, Tucker eliminated Moody, Loop eliminated Stern, and Camacho stayed alive by giving Reynolds her first loss.  With four bowlers now remaining, Reynolds eliminated Tucker, and Loop eliminated Camacho, setting up a final situation where Loop would have to beat Reynolds twice to capture the title.

    Reynolds was having a relatively quiet season, but really put it together in the most important event of the year so far, and capped it all off with a 234 scratch game in the first match against Loop, more than enough for the win and the $1,000 scholarship prize for her first JBT title.

    Over $7,000 in scholarships were awarded to the 72 qualifier field.  Thanks as always to Mr. Dom De Luca and everyone at Admiral Robinson for being great hosts.  Want in on the fun, excitement, and huge scholarship awards of JBT events?  Come on down to one of our big summer events, or be sure to sign up when the 2008-09 season begins in late August!