#15 and #16 seeds bring home big payday at masters

Created to commemorate the PJBT’s 15th anniversary, the PJBT Masters brought out 82 bowlers to Harrisburg on May 31st and June 1st.  Qualifying took place at both ABC North and ABC East, with the finals held at East. If Brandon Runk had knocked down six fewer pins in qualifying, he would not have bowled at all on Sunday.  Instead, his +55 was just enough for 16th seed.  Runk made his way through the double-elimination bracket unblemished to win the $1,500 top scholarship prize.  In the final match, he built a 35-pin lead on Jarrett DeFalco.  A strike on the first ball of the 10th of game two clinched his 6th career title. Just as impressive, Kolby Bennett went from #15 seed to champion.  His undefeated run concluded with two straight victories against Taylor Forman.  In their second match, Forman was stung by splits in the 9th and 10th frames.  Bennett struck on the first ball of the 10th to claim his second title. Jack Celmer shot 300 in Saturday’s qualifying, and earned $41 from the 300 pot.