Congratulations to our newest Champions at the 2011 JTBA Urbana University Blue Knights Open!! Samantha Johnson of Wyoming, MI and Sir Charles Easton of Sylvania, OHIO!!!! 95 players showed up in Kettering, Ohio to challenge Jay and Randy's 41ft high volume Spot pattern on Sunday September 25, 2011 at the 4th event of the 2011-2012 JTBA season. Thanks to Jay and Randy for keeping the scores at a low pace while still rewarding good shot making!! Qualifing was lead by Joe Beck of Oregon, Oh. as one of only 3 players to best the 200 average mark for the day at +66. The other 2 were Joseph Franchewski of our sponsor Urbana University Blue Knights at +17 followed by Vandalia, Ohio's Eric Sacks at +16. It took -84 to advance to the 16 player matchplay field. High game of the day for the boys was by Toledo University star Charles Easton of Sylvania, OH. at 279. For the girls our leader was Ashley Howe of Greensburg, Pa at -57 with - 123 making the top 8 for the finals!! High game was a 235 by Sydney Brummett of Fort Wayne, IN. who was trying for her 3rd title in a row! Brummett lost her 3 peat chances as she fell to Willowick, Ohio's Marissa Allison in the semi's 229-184 and 170-132. Facing Allison in the Championship match would be "2nd place Sam" Johnson of Wyoming, Mi. who bested hometown favorite Kaila Ryan of Dayton in the semi's 189-156 and 203-188 to set up the final. Johnson proceeded to knock the 2nd place monkey off her back by knocking back 6 straight strikes while a key open in the 7th by Allison opened the door as Sam struck in the 8th and 9th for a 229-188 title garnering victory! This is Sam's 3rd career title and 2nd of this season!
In the boys division the final match was set up between Mr. 300 Nick Cooper of Clarkston, MI and "Sir" Charles Easton as Cooper would best Martez Walker of East Cleveland, OH 221-188. Easton had a little tougher road by running out the 1st 7 strikes and hanging on to best JTBA and Notre Dame College star Chris Via of Springfield, OH. 239-233. Easton with a 7-10 split in the 8th to allow Via to get close!! In an exciting final 3 time JTBA Champ Easton would convert a key 2-7 split in the 7th to best last years JTBA Championships Champion Cooper who's 4-9 in the 6th would be the difference as Easton had 2 doubles to win the title 216-191.
Next up for the 2011-2012 JTBA season is 2011 JTBA Isaly's Columbus Open on October 9, 2011 at Tim Voss's Sequoia Pro Bowl home of the PBA Don Johnson event on February 16, 2012. Entries are limited to the 1st 90 paid entries!! Once again a big thanks to GM Shannon Pluhowsky and Staff at Capri for the great hosting job as the event once again ran as well as smooth as silk!!! Again a big "Thanks" to Head Coach Phil Baker and Urbana University for their sponsorship for the 3rd year in a row!!!
2011 JTBA Urbana University Blue Knights Open Champions: Urban Head Coach Phil Baker Boys Champ Charles Easton Girls Champ Sam Johnson and Capri GM Shannon Pluhowsky