The third event of the Michigan Junior Masters Association’s 2009-10 season proved to be the highest scoring event of the season. The 48 foot pattern created room for many of the bowlers, especially late in qualifying, to take advantage of an opportunity to hook the ball for the first time this year. Daniel Pollak (Macomb, MI) led the way for the boys through the eight game qualifying with a fine 1827 score while Kara Richard (Tecumseh, MI) was atop the girl’s standings with her 1674 eight game totals.

In all 106 bowlers braved the conditions at Plaza Lanes in Plymouth, Michigan with 32 of them, 24 boys and 8 girl’s advancing onto the match play portion on Sunday. The scoring pace continued to be higher than many of our events and early on a number of large moves were being made up the standings, especially on the boy’s side of the equation.

With a number of bowlers making their first cut to match play anything was possible and a number of them took full advantage of their chances. Dustin Rose (New Boston, MI) made his presence felt as he moved from 23rd to 13th, his brother Robert Rose Jr. also made a big move going from 20th to 10th but the most impactful move was Aaron Lorincz as he advanced from 11th to 2nd and made the semi-finals, no matter what happens.

In the step-ladders it was Michael Gossman (Port Huron,MI) who was the defending champion in Plymouth making the field on the final game of match play, finishing 5th facing Jalen White (Lansing, MI) the number four qualifier. This match was back and forth until White opened in the 10th frame and Gossman finished with five strikes in the last six frames to advance with a 228-195 win. Next up was Michael Cooper (Davisburg, MI) who had a big qualifying round and ended up in the number three position. Gossman, however, was not going to be denied even with opens in the 8th and 9th frames as he advanced to the semi-finals 193-181.

Daniel PollackIn the semi-finals Lorincz was waiting and he started out with 6 strikes in the first six frames but Gossman was up to the challenge as he matched Lorincz with eight strike in the first nine frames to advance to the finals match again 245-215. The finals was a match-up of last years champion, Gossman, against the bowler who set the standard all weekend, Daniel Pollak (Macomb, MI). Pollak lead qualifying by shooting 1827 for the eight games and continued his dominance in match-play to lead the field by over 7 pins in average.

Both Gossman and Pollak traded blows throughout the finals match until a pocket stuff eight-pin looked to seal Pollak’s fate. Gossman was not able to take advantage though and as Pollak threw a three bagger in the tenth, he walked away with his very first MJMA title, 236-204.

The girl’s had their share of tension and excitement as well. Two-time winner Kara Richard (Tecumseh, MI) faced off against Nicole Kinney in the first match. Richard started fast with a four-bagger but it was Kinney who threw a six-bagger in the middle of the game to take control and when Richard threw a split in the tenth, it was Kinney moving on to the semi-final match 211-190. Torri FerrisTawni Vollmer (Tecumseh, MI) was waiting for Kinney and she wasted little time in making her presence felt starting with a three-bagger. Even a Big-Four split in the 7th frame, Vollmer was not to be denied as she advanced to her second straigh finals match, 196-161.

Tori Ferris (Kalamazoo, MI) was awaiting Vollmer in the finals. Ferris had made her mark in match play as she usually does to take the top spot after match play. The match started even but Ferris strung a three-bagger, then a spare and then another three-bagger to take control and win her third MJMA title 224-181.

We awarded $3,200.00 in scholarships for this event and also punched two more tickets to the Junior Gold National Tournament for our members. Daniel Pollak and Tori Ferris earned their spots for the national event in Indianapolis in July 2010.

The next event will be at Eastland Bowl in Kalamazoo, MI. This event is limited to the first 96 bowlers and as of this printing we already have over 60 entries confirmed for the event. The thought is that we should be full by next weekend so if you are thinking of bowling in the event, get your entries in as soon as possible.

If you have any questions regarding tournament information or entries, please contact Jerry Tarabek. We are also looking for event sponsors so any company, group or organization who would like more information regarding these options, contact Jerry Tarabek by EMAIL or by phone (616-780-2095).

We are looking forward to seeing everyone in Kalamazoo on October 17-18, 2009 to watch the “standard of youth scratch competition” compete for their chance at not only a MJMA title but their share of the scholarships that will be available.