Jablonski and Warner Win State Youth Masters
Joshua Jablonski of Sterling Heights and Megan Warner of Grandville won their respective divisions of the Michigan State USBC Youth Masters on November 24 and November 25. The tournament was held at Northway Lanes in Muskegon.
The tournament featured an 8 game qualifying block which was contested on the very difficult modified Cheetah pattern which was used during the 2007 Junior Gold Tournament in Buffalo, New York. The boys’ field was cut to 12 and the girls’ field was cut to 8 for match play. The match play, which is patterned after the USBC Masters and USBC Queens Tournament consists of three game total pin matches and is double elimination. The match play was bowled on the modified Chameleon pattern, which was also used at the Buffalo tournament.
Josh Jablonski, the third place qualifier, added to his impressive resume which includes a title in the 2006 MJMA Sturgis Open and the current State Singles and All-Events Champions. Jablonski defeated his brother Adam in the finals. Under the double elimination format, Josh and Adam faced each other in three matches. Josh beat Adam 664 – 581 in the finals of the winner’s bracket, forcing Adam into the finals of the second chance bracket. Adam defeated third place Ben Hill of Marshall 607 – 586 to advance to the final. Hill was awarded an entry to this summer’s Junior Gold Tournament in Detroit because both of the Jablonski brothers had already won their entries.
In the finals, Adam defeated Josh 690 – 666 giving Josh his first loss and forced an additional match. Josh defeated Adam 607 – 594 to win the title and a $520 scholarship.
Jake Forhan of Rochester Hills finished fourth, defending champion and high qualifier (1699) Josh Powers of Portage was fifth, James Koss of Brighton was 6th, Jon Schiller of Milford was 7th, Michael Kiel of Livonia was 8th, Jeff Higbee of Lansing was ninth. Joshua Jostock of Rochester was 10th, Matt Anderson of Davisburg was 11th and Abed Daher of Brownstown was 12th.
Megan Warner capped an incredible 7 day period by winning the Youth Masters title exactly one week after capturing the MJMA Jackson Open. Warner won an all-Grand Rapids area final by defeating Samantha Johnson of Wyoming 525 – 507 in the final earning a $375 scholarship. Warner had earlier won the winner’s bracket by defeating the eventual 3rd place bowler Josie Bashara of Livonia 567 – 505. Johnson, who battled her way through the second chance bracket after losing her first round match, defeated Bashara 642 – 576. Johnson earned her Junior Gold entry since Warner is already qualified.
High Qualifier (1619) Sarah Lokker of New Baltimore finished 4th, Felicia Goll of St. Clair Shores was 5th, defending champion Kerry Schmansky finished 6th, Addileen Pointer of Highland was 7th and Kayla Blanchard of Livonia was 8th.
There were 49 participants boys and girls in the field and everyone that made match play received a scholarship. We are anticipating on conducting the third annual Masters Tournament next year on the same weekend and at a location to be designated by the board.
The State Youth Association would like to thank all of the bowlers and their families, Northway Lanes for their hospitality and their donation to the scholarship fund, and Brunswick Corporation for their donation of a Twisted Fury bowling ball that was raffled off with the proceeds going to enhance the scholarship fund.
