This was a great junior tournament drawing bowlers from California, Arizona and Washington. We awarded $5,757.00 in scholarship, which was earned by the sweeper winner, high game winners, bracket winners and the top 18 in Division I, top 6 in Division II and the top 10 in Division III. The majority of scholarship money collected was from a huge raffle and private cash donations. Thank you to all our sponsors for helping to make this year's event a success.
Congratulations to the Champions in each division. Division III, Derek Schweiger winning $250.00, Division II, Amy Gates winning $200.00 and Division I, Mason Sherman winning $750.00. These bowlers also received a championship jacket. Additionally the top five in Divisions I and III and top three in Division II will receive a year's subscription to Bowling This Month magazine.
After 12 games of qualifying in Division III, the top 10 went on to eight games of match play and then top-five stepladder. Fifth seed Kevin Truong of San Francisco went against fourth seed Devin Bidwell of Simi Valley. Kevin bowled 189 to Devin's 213. Devin proceeded to bowl third seed, Daniel Gartin of Whittier, but lost 148 to 203. Daniel moved on to challenge second seed Jenifer Wainner of Santa Paula. Jenifer bowled 221 to Daniel's 175 allowing her to bowl against the top seed Derek Schweiger. Jenifer's 175 just couldn't compete with Derek, who started with the front six and finished with 267. There were 21 boys and girls in this division. They ranged in age from 5 to 14 and hold lots of promising bowlers in the future. Congratulations to all of the participants.
Girl's Division II saw 10 participants and cut to the top six after 18 games of qualifying. The girls then bowled 18 games of match play followed by the top-three stepladder. Third seed Lindsy Bonifacini of San Diego met second seed Amy Gates of Ventura. This was a very close match with Amy prevailing over Lindsy 207 to 203. Amy then bowled the number one seed Katrina Gartin of Whittier. Amy continued to hold her own and beat Katrina 201 to 170. We are very happy to have been able to run this division and provide good competition for these girls. Hope to see more of you in the future.
There were 38 bowlers in the Boy's Division I. After 18 games of qualifying there was a cut to the top 18 for 18 games of match play and then the top-five stepladder. Derek Schilling of Littlerock was the fifth seed and matched up against fourth seed Nick Smith of Canyon Country. Nick had a 208 to Derek's 192, moving him on to compete against third seed Ashkan Tahvildaran of Lake Forest. Nick continued his move up, 217 to 203 and met second seed Jared Lawrence of Redondo Beach. Jared did not let Nick continue and beat him 234 to 215. Jared now faced first seed Mason Sherman of Moorpark. Mason started with the front six and Jared had some tough breaks. The final match was 256 to 149 with Mason as the champion. You young men are amazing.
There were several honor scores bowled during the tournament. Congratulations to Katrina Gartin 738 series, Joseph Ramirez 299, Ty Stockle 300, Nick Smith 279 and Joseph Ramirez 279. The pre-tournament sweeper was won by Devin Bidwell with a 478 two game series. High game side pot during qualifying in Division III was Andrew Fix 245, Division II Amy Gates 244 and Division I was split Troy Warmboe and Mason Sherman 289. Bracket participation is always popular and fun. Twenty-two participants won scholarship money in brackets.
We here at Buena Lanes hope all of you will continue to bowl as many junior functions as possible. There's lots of fun out there!