AMF DEER VALLEY LANES

champs Greg Geering & Nick Wade

     Greg Geering finally became a JBT titlist, while Nick Wade also tasted victory for the first time, in exciting JBT Arizona Conference action at AMF Deer Valley Lanes.

     The exciting 'survivor' format was used for this event, with low-bowler-out elimination matchplay resulting in do-or-die moments all throughout the center.  In the scratch division, six survivors eventually remained on the challenging lane conditions.  In that round, all six came up with 200+ efforts, but it was Kris George over Eduardo Perez 221-206; Greg Geering over James Hawkins 247-206; and in a thriller, Cameron Smith over Greg Garbera 258-237.

   With three bowlers left, Geering moved on with a big 236, while Kris' 187 escaped over Cameron's 177 to set up the title match.  Both bowlers are JBT veterans with experience at the highest levels of college bowling, so it was no surprise that they both bowled an excellent title match.  The only surprise was that Geering had not yet ever won a JBT title- but that anomaly was finally erased with a 237-234 triumph over George for title #1.

    The handicap division was also eventually whittled down to 6 bowlers.  In the round of 6, Daniel Cotten beat Jewel-Leigh Casesse 230-192; Nick Wade beat Austin Hinz 195-189, and Deven Johnston got by Alex Pellegrino 212-185.  With three bowlers left, a single match left Wade (223) and Johnston (212) standing, while Cotten's 203 effort was good, but relegated to third place.

    The title match didn't have the tension of the semifinals, because Wade came out firing with seven marks in eight frames, and Johnston, with the higher average, had trouble re-lining into the pocket on the title pair.  The 238-206 win was good for the first title of Wade's career.

   Thanks to everyone at Deer Valley for hosting our event, which awarded over $2,500 in scholarships to bowlers of all ages and averages.  Want in on the best in junior bowling?  Come on down to the next JBT event, it's really that easy!  

Impact Challenge Winners- Mike Kremer and Becki Meils