DEL ROSA LANES

champs Tristan Curtis and Josh Shoup; Women's Series champ Kaitlin Mayall

    Tristan Curtis "pulled a Plunkett", while Josh Shoup ended a long victory drought, in exciting JBT Southern California Conference action at Del Rosa Lanes.

   The fourth highest standard event cut in JBT history (+91) gave our players a chance to strike a lot after a few weeks of demanding patterns, with James Hawkins' 299 ending up the day's high game.   Females continued to have their most successful year by far in scratch division history, and two of the best squared off in round one of the stepladder finals, with Natalie Jimenez defeating Rebeca Reguero 234-201.  Jimenez then took on all-conference points leader Kyle King in round two.  Needing to strike out to tie, King threw the first two strikes, but left a solid-10 on the fill ball, giving Natalie the thrilling 226-225 win.  Jimenez then rolled by So Cal points leader Greg Garbera 247-226 to reach her first JBT title match.

   Top seed Tristan Curtis was looking to become the second Pac NW Conference regular to win a non-Pac NW title this season, with Jordan Plunkett winning earlier this month in Albuquerque.  However, Tristan struggled with missed spares.  Jimenez slowed down from her blistering pace as well, though, and in the end, needing a strike to win, Curtis was able to come up with the hit for a 178-176 win and his first career JBT title.

   Shoup climbed the ladder for his second career JBT title and his first since Cactus Bowl early last year.  He began with a 241-185 win over Bethany Baker.  He followed with a 226-221 squeaker over Shane Lien, then beat Kaitlin Silva (who almost won Powerball earlier in the day) 219-188 to reach the title match.

   Top seed David Fritz had been enjoying his best JBT event by far, leasing 7 of the 8 rounds to easily nab the top spot.  However, he struggled most of the game in the finals, while Shoup saved his best for last, winning 244-179 for the title, which vaulted him into the all-conference handicap points lead.

   Kaitlin Mayall missed the scratch division top 5 by just one pin, but redeemed herself by defeating Jimenez 224-214 for the JBT Women's Series title, earning her a chance at a bonus prize list at the 2009 JBT Girls Invitational.

   Big thanks to the whole crew at Del Rosa for a great job hosting us in our first ever visit to their wonderful center.  Over $1,900 in scholarships were awarded- want in on the fun?  Come on down to the next JBT event, it's as simple as that!