2024 JBT Las Vegas Main Event- Scratch Singles

champ Ezra Bentkowski & runner-up Kevin Magnuson

        15 year-old Ezra Bentkowski of Aiea, Hawaii outlasted a nationwide field of  top youth bowlers to win the scratch singles division of the 2024 JBT Las Vegas Main Event, hosted at the South Point Bowling Plaza, and presented by IAM Bowling, the Brands of Brunswick, JBT, and South Point.

        Fourteen games of demanding qualifying and matchplay determined the eight finalists, who played in dual brackets to reach the title game.  In round one, #8 Daryus Alo upset #5 Brandon Rother, while #6 Kyler Orosco and #7 Ernesto Reynoso put on the match of the day, tying at 258, with Kyler winning the rolloff 10-9 to advance.  Chalk held the rest of the way, with #4 Leoj Chin (one of only two bowlers to fire 300 all week) stopping Alo, and defending champion #3 Lucas Finley stopping Orosco (who had the other perfecto).  Advancing to the semifinals, top seed Bentkowski eliminated Chin in a close 205-195 tilt, while #2 Kevin Magnuson blasted 265 to stop Finley's repeat run, setting up the title clash.

        Both bowlers started the title match strong, but Ezra gained a lead in the middle.  With a chance to close the gap in the ninth, a pocket 7-10 ended Magnuson's run, and Bentkowski became one of the youngest scratch singles champs in Main Event's 21 year history with the victory.  Ezra earned $5,500 for the in, while Magnuson was consoled with a $3,500 scholarship windfall.  In total, a record-smashing $75,000 was earned by bowlers of all ages and skill levels from all over America, as well as Japan and Mexico!

  Big thanks to all for attending, and our amazing sponsors, volunteers, and vendors for making an event of this scope possible.  We look forward to even bigger and better things at the 2025 Main Event, December 26-30 back at the South Point Plaza!

2024 JBT Las Vegas Main Event- scratch singles finalists

1. Ezra Bentkowski, HI, $5,500

2. Kevin Magnuson, CA, $3,500

3.Lucas Finley, CO, $2,000

4. Leoj Chin, CA, $1,500

5. Kyler Orosco, CA, $1,250

6. Daryus Alo, NV, $1,000

7. Brandon Rother, CA, $800

8. Ernesto Reynoso, CA, $700

9. Elias O'Hollaren, CA, $600

10. Daniel Hong, CA, $550

11. Liam Hardman, WA, $500

12. Dmitri Richardson, CO, $450

13. Kalin Ogata, HI, $400

14. Gael Egana, CA, $350

15. Ardani Rodas, CA, $300

16. Shin Sangalang, CA, $250

17. Jos Weems, IL, $200

18. Gyrus Alo, NV, $150

19. Zach Greim, CA, $150