A near sellout field shared in over $35,000 in scholarships awarded in singles, doubles, and team divisions at the 2017 Junior Bowlers Tour’s Las Vegas Main Event, held at the incredible South Point Bowling Plaza.
Although bowlers from 23 states competed, Californians took a large share of the biggest spots. The coveted scratch singles crown was earned by 15 year-old Solomon Salama, Los Angeles, CA, who beat fellow Californian Nick Postag 246-237 in a very well bowled match. Salama, who is now by far the youngest to win the scratch event, earned $3,200 for first, while Postag added $2,000 to his scholarship total.
Girls scratch singles came down to the final frame, as a tenth frame open proved to not hurt champion Maranda Pattison, Redwood Hills, CA, who beat Crystal Elliott, Melbourne, FL, 187-179 for the title and $1,500 scholarship windfall, while Elliott settled for $1,000 for runner-up. Twelve year-old Kaitlynn Yukihiro tried for the singles sweep for the golden state, but Kristy Mace from Vail, AZ, won four matches in the finals including a 224-208 win over Kaitlynn in the finale, to win the handicap singles and whopping $2,500 top prize. Yukihiro of Yorba Linda, CA, earned $1,500 for her second place performance.
For the second straight year, a boy-girl team earned the scratch doubles title, as J.R. Mehlum’s tournament high 801 series carried him and Saralyne Nassberg to the win. Washington bowlers Jacob Frazier and Lailani Wallin captured the handicap doubles crown with a 1433 total, the only team to crack 1400 in the division.
Salama also shot one of the event’s five 300 games, joined by two-time defending champ Wesley Low, and JBT stars T.J. Rock, Jacob Mullen, and Deo Benard, each earning $100 bonuses from both JBT sponsor MSC Inc and South Point. JBT’s title sponsor Ebonite awarded balls during each singles block, and our other terrific sponsors and vendors were integral in helping award the very large scholarship total.
Huge thanks to everyone who took the time to participate in the biggest event on the JBT calendar. We hope to see you and many new faces at the 2018 JBT Main Event, December 26-30, 2018 at the South Point Plaza!
Champions Maranda Pattison, Solomon Salama, and Kristy Mace (holding crystals), with runners-up Crystal Elliott, Nick Postag, Kaitlynn Yukihiro
