The 2005 Firecracker Shootout drew bowlers from California,
Arizona, Washington, Nevada, and Hawaii. We awarded $14,000.00
in scholarship this year. Another increase! Scholarship awarded
in 2004 was $10,047.50 and in 2003 it was $5,757.00 bringing the
grand total in just three years to $29,804.50. Scholarship money
was earned by the sweeper winners, high game winners, bracket winners
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 hi each division. Division 3,
Cory Koyanagi of Torrance, CA winning $700.00, Division 2, Alyse
McGinnes of La Crescenta, CA winning $720.00 and Division 1, Nathan
Panaligan of Las Vegas, NV winning $2,000.00. These bowlers also
received a 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,
Matt Cormack of Woodland Hills, CA went against fourth seed Cory
Koyangi of Torrance, CA. Matt bowled 209 to Cory's 221. Cory proceeded
to bowl third seed, Andrey Tyrell Buie of Elk Grove, CA, and continued
to win 213 to 191. Cory moved on to challenge second seed Ryan
Halpert of Moorpark, CA. Cory bowled 234 to Ryan's 202 allowing
him to now challenge the top seed Foster Phardanouvong of San Diego,
CA. Foster's 204 made it close, but couldn't stop Cory's winning
streak. Cory's 210 declared him the Division 3 champion. There
were 20 boys and girls in this division. They ranged in age from
11 to 14 and hold lots of promising bowlers in the future.
Division 2 saw 13 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 Kacy Bonifacini
of San Diego, CA met fourth seed Bryanna Caldwell of Tucson, AZ.
This close match had Kacy prevailing over Bryanna 235 to 233. Kacy
then bowled the third seed Danielle Schilling of Littlerock, CA.
Another close match 173 to 171, and Kacy moved on again. Alyse
McGinnes of La Crescenta, CA was the number two seed and now faced
Kacy. Once again it came to the tenth frame to determine who would
move on to the final match. Kacy bowled 241 to Alyse's 246, moving
Alyse on. Alyse now faced top seed Samantha Jimemez. The final
match scores were 212 to 233 and moved Alyse into the champion
spot for Division 2. We are glad to have been able to run this
division and provide good competition for girls.
There were 54 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. Brian Carmichael of Moreno
Valley, CA was the fifth seed and matched up against fourth seed
Jason Dutcher of Moorpark, CA. Brian had 255 to Jason's 211, moving
Brian on to compete against third seed Nathan Panaligan of Las
Vegas NV. Brian and Nathan had a close match, 205 to 209, and Nathan
now met second seed Mason Sherman of Moorpark, CA. Nathan continued
moving up and beat Mason 182 to 131. Nathan now faced top seed
Josh Blanchard of Upland, CA. Both bowlers had lots of strikes,
but in the end Nathan overtook the number one spot, 277 to 247,
and became the Division 1 champion. You young men are inspiring.
This is the first year we held a Junior Gold Qualifier during
the Firecracker Shootout. Seven bowlers qualified for the 2006
National Gold Event in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Congratulations
Jason Dutcher, Chad Coy, Jenea Cox, Jessica Hetkowski, Danielle
Schilling, Chris Fritsch and Devin Bidwell.
Three honor scores were bowled during the tournament despite the
tough lane conditions. Congratulations Josh Blanchard with a 299
and 300 game and Jason Dutcher with a 300 game. The pre-tournament
sweeper winners were Cory Koyanagi, Division 3, Danielle Schilling,
Division 2 and Josh Blanchard, Division 1. Bracket and high game
side pot participation was very popular and 33 participants shared
$2,650.00 in scholarship money. Also the top five hi each division
receive a year subscription to Bowling This Month magazine. Visit
our web site www.firecrackershootout.com for more information and
complete standings.
Finally, thank you participants for your great attitudes and sportsmanship
qualities. Our wish is for all of you to bowl as many junior functions
as possible before your junior career is over. There are lots of
great experiences out there - Life is Good!