The 2008 Edition of the JTBA Adult Junior Championship saw numerous past JTBA Champions return to the lanes, this time with Youth Partners, to test their skills at this annual event. This season, we were pleased to award titles to two past champions on the adult side, who worked with their youth partners to claim victory. Matt Anderson and J. Neville Kirby, as well as Heidi Sanders and Jessica Fleck took home this coveted title. We’d like to thank Sherri and her staff at Southwyck Lanes in Toledo for once again hosting this fantastic event.

Scores were brisk from the outset of the day, as reigning USBC Collegiate Player of the Year Dan MacLelland and his Saginaw Valley State University teammate Joe Steiner led qualifying at a blistering +395. MacLelland also led all individuals in the event averaging 248. Cut score for the guys was held by Justin Netherland and Chris Black at +170. High games on the mens side were Michael Jacobs and Chad Close, who both posted perfect 300 games.

After the lunch break, the top seeds were quickly upended by the team of Netherland/Black, who marched their way to the final match where they would meet the team of JTBA Alumni J. Neville Kirby, and Matt Anderson. Anderson had knocked on the door to victory before in the JTBA, finishing second at last seasons Junior Doubles, and Kirby had claimed three titles during his stellar youth career. Anderson and Kirby took game one, but left the door open in game two for a Black/Netherland victory. However, needing to double in the tenth frame to extend the match, Netherland left a devastating ringing ten pin, leaving the title to Anderson and Kirby. Matthew Anderson and J. Neville Kirby

On the ladies side, JTBA Alumni Erin Loschetter found herself mirroring her husband Chris, only about 1000 miles away. Chris was leading the PBA’s Pepsi Viper Championship that day, while Erin and her partner Kim Yioulos led our event at a score of +244. Bay City MI’s Kristy Kerr had the high individual six game total at +220. After a nervous lunch break watching the title match of the PBA event, Erin and Kim returned to the lanes and marched their way to the title match, where they met the team of Heidi Sanders, and 2007 JTBA Bowler of the Year Jessica Fleck. In a tight three game back and forth match, it was Sanders and Fleck handing Erin and Kim the same fate as husband Chris earlier, a second place finish, as Sanders won her 3rd title, and Fleck her 7th. Heidi Sanders and Jessica Fleck

We’d like to thank all of our adults for their participation in this event. It’s always nice to see so many alumni come back together to support the JTBA. Our next event will be held November 30th at Park Lanes in Mansfield. Additionally, be sure to note the important schedule change on the website, as Championships weekend has been moved up one week at the request of the host center. Additionally, be sure to look for information regarding the JTBA Isaly’s Pittsburgh Junior Masters, which will be available on the website soon. For those of you who start high school bowling early and won’t be able to join us in Mansfield, Good Luck with your season, we look forward to seeing you again in early March.