The fourth annual Firecracker Shootout drew bowlers from seven states
- Arizona, California, Illinois, Kansas, Nevada, New York and Washington.
There was an impressive 43% increase in participation this year with
124 entries. $16,030.50 was awarded in scholarship this year. Another
increase! Scholarship awarded year to date for this tournament is
$45,835.00. Scholarship money was earned through the sweeper, brackets,
high games and the top 18 in Division I, top 10 in Division II and
top 10 in Division III. The majority of scholarship money collected
was from a huge opportunity drawing, silent auction and business
advertisement. Thank you once again to all our sponsors, coaches
and volunteers for helping to make this year's event another success.
Congratulations to the Champions in each division. Division 3, Cameron
Smith of Santee, CA winning $750.00, Division 2, Bryanna Caldwell of
Tucson, AZ winning $850.00 and Division 1, Mason Sherman of Moorpark,
CA winning $2,200.00. These bowlers also received a patriotic championship
plaque.
After 12 games of qualifying in Division 3, the top 10 went on to 10
games of match play and then top-five stepladder. Fifth seed, Allie
Ijams of Mission Viejo, CA went against fourth seed James Bael of Carson,
CA. James bowled 167 to Allie's 232. Allie proceeded to bowl third
seed, Cory Koyanagi of Torrance, CA. The match was Allie 156, Cory
167. Cory moved on to challenge second seed Kyle King of Glendale,
AZ. Cory bowled 189 to Kyle's 224 allowing Kyle to challenge the top
seed Cameron Smith of Santee, CA. It was a close match, Kyle 190, Cameron
201, making Cameron the Division 3 champion. There were 25 boys and
girls in this division. They ranged in age from 11 to 14. There seems
to be lots of talent upcoming.
Division 2 saw 21 girl participants and cut to the top 10 after 18
games of qualifying. The girls then bowled 18 games of match play followed
by the top-five stepladder. Fifth seed Caycee Landers of Mission Hills,
CA met fourth seed Samantha Jimenez of Rowland Heights, CA. Samantha
prevailed 214 to 182. Samantha then bowled the third seed Noel Ocasio
of Patchogue, NY. This close match was 199 to 190, and Samantha moved
on again to face second seed, Bryanna Caldwell of Tucson, AZ. Bryanna
bowled 219 to Samantha's 174, moving Bryanna onto the final match against
Danielle Schilling of Palmdale, CA. The tenth frame determined the
final match with scores of 190 to 180. Bryanna became the champion
of Division 2. We were very happy to see so many of you girls participating
and hope you (and your friends) will be back again next year.
There were 78 bowlers in 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. Jason Dutcher of Moorpark, CA was the fifth
seed and matched up against fourth seed Jared Lawrence of Torrance,
CA. Jason had 236 to Jared's 201, moving Jason on to compete against
third seed Mason Sherman of Moorpark, CA. Jason and Mason had the
closest match of the top five, 211 to 210, and Mason now met second
seed Josh Blanchard of Moreno Valley, CA. Mason continued moving
up and beat Josh 212 to 199. Mason now faced top seed Shelby Shirlock
of Lake Elsnore, CA. In the end, Mason overtook the number one spot,
228 to 162 and became the Division 1 champion. You young men are
awesome. We know many of you will tum adult at the end of this season
... all of you will be missed!
We held several Junior Gold Qualifiers during the Firecracker Shootout. Nine bowlers qualified for the 2007 National Gold Event in Buffalo,
New York. Congratulations Ashlee Baca, BJ Baker, Devin Bidwell, Jenea
Cox, Mark French, Preston Fukumizu, Caycee Landers, Danielle Schilling
and Jeff Spiesman.
Five honor scores were bowled during the tournament despite the tough
lane conditions. Congratulations Noel Ocasio 300, Mason Sherman 300,
DJ Sloan 299, Devin Bidwell 297 and Josh Blanchard 277. The pre-tournament
sweeper winners were Cory Koyanagi, Division 3, Breanna Peters, Division
2 and Kevin Valmonte, Division 1. Bracket and high game side pot participation
was very popular and 38 participants shared $3,228.00 in scholarship
money. Also the top five in each division receive a year subscription
to Bowling This Month magazine and a championship shirt from Tennelle
Milligan and Asher's Embroidery. Visit our web site www.firecrackershootout.com
for more information and complete standings after we all return from
Junior Gold in Florida.
Finally, thank you participants for your great attitudes and wonderful
sportsmanship. Our wish is for all of you to bowl as many junior functions
as possible before your junior career is over. There are many great
experiences out there - go forth and enjoy!