The Michigan Junior Masters Association moved into Candlelite Bowl in Bridgeport, Michigan on January 30-31st to have 47 doubles teams face off in the 22nd Annual Bob Klaczkiewicz Memorial Doubles tournament. Both the girl’s and guy’s field contained the event winners from last season but 45 other teams were looking to take that title away.

Tori Ferris (Kalamazoo, MI) and Carrie Hopkinson (Drumbo, Ont.) were the defenading champions for the ladies and they set the tone right away to make sure everyone knew it was not going to be easy to take the title away by being the high qualifiers on the ladies side shooting 3054 for the eight game qualifier. Ferris / Hopkinson continued their dominance as they also led the way going into the stepladders finals out averaging the rest of the match play teams by five (5) pins per game.

Two other teams though were hoping to get the chance to knock them off their perch as Aleksandra Hudak (Taylor, MI) and Brianne Schmansky (Westland, MI) faced off against Jessica Beach (Portage, MI) and her partner Tawni Vollmer (Tecumseh, MI). Beach / Vollmer took charge early and a late three-bagger sealed the deal over Hudak / Schmansky 223-193 to advance to the finals.

In the finals though it was it was Ferris / Hopkinson who took charge throwing six strikes in the first seven frames while Beach / Vollmer struggled to find their spare making. The combination added up to a repeat win for Ferris / Hopkinson with a 211 – 136 victory. Ferris / Hopkinson are the first ladies team to repeat as champions since it was accomplished by Cyndi Black and Rebecca Sharp back in 1992 and 1993. Black actually went on to win two more consecutive doubles titles, four straight years, with two other doubles partners.

On the guys side, defending champions Leo Anthony (Port Huron, MI) and James Koss (Brighton, MI) were back to defend their titles and for a while it was touch and go that they would make it to the Sunday match play prtion of the event but when the top eight teams were announced, Anthony / Koss were in eighth and final qualifying position. Aaron Loriuncz (Belleville, MI) and Justin O’Hara
(Westland, MI) led the way after qualifying with a fine 3252 on the demanding conditions.

Match play on Sunday proved a real test and movement was going on all morning long. Anthony / Koss had moved from eigth place to third while Daniel Pollak (Macomb, MI) and Erik Stanley (Warren, MI) jumped from fifth to fourth and the final step ladder spot. Also joining them was the number two qualifying team of Bryan Eaton (Wyoming, MI) and Zach Brandt (Fremaont, MI).

Anthony / Koss faced off against Pollak / Stanley in the first match and quickly showed they were not quite ready to let go of their title as they won the match 216-146. Next was the semi-final and this one went down to the final frame as Brandt / eaton needed the first two strikes in the tenth to win the match. Eaton threw a great shot on the first ball and needed the same on the second but it was not to be as he spared on the fill in the tenth to allow Anthony / Koss to advance to the finals 163 – 162.

Lorincz / O’Hara were ready to face the challenge and took an early lead thanks to an open in the first frame from Anthony / Koss. Lorincz / O’Hara stayed clean the entire match but it was not over until and open in the ninth frame from Anthony / Koss that Lorincz / O’Hara could take a deep breath and enjoy a 205 – 175 victory. This win was sweet revenge for Lorincz / O’Hara since they lost in the finals last year to Anthony / Koss.

Along with the $3,400.00 in scholarships that were awarded to the match play participants, two Junior Gold spots were also awarded. Justin O’Hara and Tawni Vollmer both punched their ticket to
Indianapolis for their shot at the National Tournament titles in July.

Our next event is the 4th Annual Chesterfield Open at Salt River Lanes in New Baltimore, MI. The event is Saturday, February 20th for qualifying and Sunday, February 21st for match play and steppladders. The event begins at 12:00 Noon on Saturady with match play starting at 9:00 AM on Sunday. The field is limited to 96 bowlers so get those entries in early.

The following event is our stop in Taylor, Michigan at Taylor Lanes. We will also be hosting a clinic prior to bowling as presented by Brunswick. Anyone wishing to sign up for the clinic can do so by going to our website at www.mjma.net and clicking on the icon for the clinic. Billy Orlikowski will be there to do the clinic and answer any questions you may have regarding bowling balls and how to match up on the diffent lane conditions you will face. We are looking for a good turn out so make sure you sign up early to have your spot reserved.

If you have any questions regarding the tournament or the clinic, please contact Jerry Tarabek. We look forward to seeing everyone in New Baltimore at Salt River Lanes!