The 2008 edition of the JTBA Sport Bowling Challenge was once again conducted at Cedar Lanes in Sandusky September 28th, with two JTBA veterans braving the long demanding format to capture the titles. We’d like to thank Randy Hart and his staff at Cedar for once again doing a phenomenal job with hosting this very special tournament. Joy Arrigo and Jon Schiller

Scoring was low during the first round of qualifying on Mr. Hart’s short oil pattern, with 2009 Jr. Team USA member Kim Yioulos of Rochester NY leading all bowlers with a score of +67. Adam Jablonski of Sterling Heights MI was the only other bowler averaging over 200 for the first six games, leading the boys division with a score of +43. The cut to the top 30 boys was -147, and it took a score of -221 to advance to the second round on the ladies side. Adam’s brother Josh Jablonski had the high game of the first block with a 246.

After lunch, and a re-oil with a long sport bowling pattern, Yioulos and Jablonski continued to pace the field, with Yioulos completing the 12 games of qualifying as the only bowler plus in the field at +59. Jablonski led the boys at -37. Fifth place for the boys was Travis Hardesty at -147, while fourth in the girls division was Kara Richard at -210.

In the boys stepladder, Hardesty squeaked out a 3 pin game one victory over Justin Netherland of Port Clinton OH 178-173. He continued his roll shooting a 202 to defeat Ryan Dobie in the second match, before matching up against defending champion Jon Schiller. Schiller would bowl a very solid 222 to defeat Hardesty, setting up an all Michigan final. Jablonski, had led all day, but it was the defending champion who was just too strong shooting a 223 in the final to defeat Jablonski’s 180, earning his second title of the season, and his fifth overall.

On the ladies side, Kara Richard defeated our Dayton Open Champions Sarah Germano in match one 193-163, before advancing to take on Joy Arrigo of Westerville OH. Arrigo was too much for Richard defeating her 190-170. In the final, Arrigo proved it was not a good day to be the top seed, firing the high game of the day on the ladies side of 240 to defeat a respectable 201 effort from Yioulos. The win was Arrigo’s third of her career.