K&K CHALLENGE @ CERBAT LANES

champs Kris George & Josh Chefalo

   Kris George became the fifth bowler in JBT history to reach the 20 title level, while Josh Chefalo tasted victory for the first time, in thrilling JBT action at the K&K Challenge, hosted by Kingman's Cerbat Lanes.

  The 2009 USBC Nationals lane pattern was used, and a terrific sponsorship from K&K Pro Shops (www.bowlinglasvegas.com) boosted the prize fund considerably.  A $500 bonus was offered for any 300 games on the challenging pattern, which Kris made the only realistic run at, with a fine 279.

   Colorado's Nathan Shock opened the scratch division stepladder finals with a 172-159 win over DJ Sloan.  Defending TPC champ Zach Hattori then beat Shock 214-284.   In an extremely well-bowled semifinal match, James Hawkins edged Hattori 249-238 to advance to the title match.

   Hawkins has been red-hot on Tour lately, but George completely owned this event, leading after qualifying (thanks to the aforementioned 279), and firing 670 in the semis to earn the top seed by almost 200 pins.  Kris continued to put on a clinic in the title match, defeating James 238-184, for the landmark title.  He joins only Steven Black, BJ Baker, Kyle King, and Andrew Cain as 20+ titlists in our 13-year history!

   Tyler Ottenschot opened his first career handicap stepladder finals in fine fashion, beating Dylan Lucas, who seems to be making almost every final lately, 257-162.  Tyler then snuck by fellow first-timer Joe Cencelewski 198-192, before Travis Johnson stopped Ottenschot 195-181 to reach the title match.

   Top seed Josh Chefalo and Johnson had been trading the tournament lead throughout the event, but Travis struggled in the title match, and Josh earned the 223-188 win for his first title.  By throwing Ebonite equipment and thanks again to K&K, Josh cashed for a $415 scholarship windfall for the title, while Travis still got a 'pocket full of scholarships' for second as well.

 Thanks as always to the whole crew at Cerbat for their usual top-notch hosting job.  Over $2,000 in scholarships were awarded to junior of all ages and averages- want your piece of the fun? Come on down to the next JBT event- it's as simple as that!