Tyler Jensen hit a $50,000 jackpot at the Orleans Hotel/Casino Sunday night but he had to do it the hard way. No, I don't mean he had to make a hard eight at the crap table…the 22-year old rolled the dice in a different way. In a gutsy gamble, he changed strike balls before his 10th frame shot on the right lane…one that had been tougher than a blackjack dealer who continues to draw until he hits 21.
The week of the Super Bowl is traditionally the busiest of the year in Las Vegas. But not for the megabuck bowlers. For them, it's the week after Super Bowl Sunday. Four - count 'em - four megabuck tournaments were conducted following Super Bowl XL-- the biggest - and the best - was the fifth annual Super Bowl Mini Eliminator at The Orleans Bowling Center.
Bowling Alley: Orleans Bowling Center in Las Vegas, Nev. - February 6-12, 2006
22-year-old Tyler Jensen of Flower Mound, Texas, rolled a 224-game in the Grand Finale shootout match en route to win the 5th annual Super Bowl Mini Eliminator and the huge $50,000 top prize. The five division champions bowled a one-game shootout for the title and a $108,500 top-five prize fund.
Swede Eva Jönnson defeated Leonhard Ruiz, Diamond Bar, Ca, 224-192, in the final match of the 39 and under Division Daily Finals, to become the sole woman to advance to the Super Bowl Mini Eliminator Grand Finale through the Daily Finals. Jönnson is guaranteed $1,250 for accomplishing the feat.
Mark Van Meter (left, Albuquerque, NM, 737 and Bart Reitsma (right), Netherlands, 684, not only shot the highest daily series on the last qualifying day of the Super Bowl Mini Eliminator but the highest of all week in the 50-59 and 2005 (average) and under Division, resp. Alex Cavagnaro, N Massapequa, NY, rolled 667 to lead the 39 and under Division, while Pete Thomas, Oklahoma City, OK, 656, and Gary Skidmore, Albuquerque, NM, 708, led the 40-49 and Open Division, resp.
Shane Keefauver, Canton, IL, shot the second perfect game of the 5th Annual Super Bowl Mini Eliminator during the penultimate qualifying squad here at the Orleans Bowling Center in Las Vegas. Keefauver, who qualified for the Grand Finale in the Open Division through yesterday's Daily Finals added games of 258 and 247 to post the first 800-series of the event with 805.
The final two qualifying squads and the following Daily Finals will bring the number of Grand Finalists in the 5th Annual Super Bowl Mini Eliminator to 76. Squad #25 will start at 10am and Squad #26 at noon, with the Daily Finals immediately following. The Grand Finals will start around 4pm at the 70-lane Orleans Bowling Center in Las Vegas, Nev. Top guaranteed top five prizes in the Division Champion Shootout are $50,000, $25,000, $12,500, $11,000 and $10,000. Bowlingdigital will cover the Grand Finals live and is looking to provide LIVE SCORING from the championship match.
Sixty of 76 players - 12 in each of the five main divisions - for the 5th Super Bowl Mini Eliminator Grand Finale on Sunday at 4pm are determined as qualifying nears conclusion. The final two squads will start at 10am and noon with the Daily Finals to be held immediately afterwards. Surviving the Daily Finals on Saturday evening were William Holota - Bolton, CT (39 and under Division); Miles Nerona - New Westminster, BC (40-49); Robert Shank - Fort Wayne, IN (50-59); Danny Cobbs, La Puente, CA (2005 and under); and Shane Keefauver - Canton, IL (Open Division).
In a battle between two former Team USA members and U.S. National Amateur champions, Rhino Page (pictured), Lawrence, KS beat Andrew Cain; Chandler, AZ by 12 pins, 749-737, in the Open Division to advance to the Grand Finale of the Super Bowl Mini Eliminator in Las Vegas. Also qualified for tomorrow's main event are Raul Rosales, Jeff Garrison, Ken Webber, and Chuck Czygryn.
Multiple Team USA member Andrew Cain shot a 737 three-game series in the 23rd qualifying squad at the Super Bowl Mini Eliminator to overtake the previous high series in the Open Division set by Lenny Boresch by one pin. If nobody beats his score in the final qualifying spot the lefty from Chandler, AZ, will earn a berth into the Grand Finale tomorrow at 4pm and is guaranteed $1,250.
Lennie Boresch, Kenosha, WI, rolled a huge 736 three-game series in the second qualifying squad today, 22nd overall, to take the lead in the Open Division in the Super Bowl Mini Eliminator here at the Orleans Bowling Center. The players with the highest daily 3-game series from each of the five main divisions automatically advance to Sunday's Grand Finale.
Pat Grogan, Seneca, South Carolina was the only player to top the 200-mark in the final game of the 2006 Super Bowl Mini Eliminator Brunswick Shootout, and his steady 201 was enough to earn the $10,000 champion's check in the $125,000 event. "This is the biggest thing I've ever won," said the 44-year-old postal worker. Vinnie Atria earned $5,000 for his efforts, Scott Pohl took home $3,000, William Holota cashed for $2,500 and Michael Banha earned $2,000.
Raul Rosales (pictured), El Monte, CA, beat out Teddy Turner, San Diego, CA, 711 to 710, to set the high series in the 39 and under Division at the Mini Eliminator in the first of four squads on Saturday. William Holota, who cashed $2,500 for fourth place in the Brunswick Shootout, was the third player in the division to advance to the Daily Finals.
When Mini Eliminator bowlers return for the summer Mini Eliminator July 3-10, they will notice some big changes to the Orleans Bowling Center.Starting in mid-March, the 70-lane center will begin the final phase of the $1.9 million renovation that began in 2005 when all new Brunswick GSX pinsetters were installed. When this project is complete the four coast centers will be among the most modern in the world.
The European ranking champion Paul Moor, England, has played well all week but was not yet qualified for the Grand Finale of the 5th Annual Super Bowl Mini Eliminator. After failing to advance in the Daily Finals on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, the number 4 turned out to be his lucky number. He defeated 2005 U.S. National Amateur champion Rhino Page in an all-lefty affair, 225-209, to book his spot for the finals on Sunday.
Three players in the fourth and final qualifying squad on Friday advanced to the Grand Finals of the Super Bowl Mini Eliminator through the daily high series. Adam Barta (pictured), Girard, OH, felled 737 to lead the 39 and under Division. Paul McCordic, Sugarland, TX, overtook the lead in the 50-59 Division with 722 and Philip Le Baquin, Cerritos, CA, rolled 664 high in the 205 and under.
Team USA member David Haynes shot the first 300-game of the 5th Annual Super Bowl Mini Eliminator to help grab the lead in the Open Division today after three of four qualifying squads with 757. Other squad leaders were Joe Mazuryk (39 and under); Bo Goergen (40-49); Jim Wagner (50-59); and Steve Tomaras (205 and under).
28 players bowled in the Open Division of the 18th qualifying squad at the Super Bowl Mini Eliminator. The top three players (1 in 8 advance) made it to the Daily Finals worth minimum $250. Kerry Kraft, Warren, MI, set the pace with 721, followed by 2004 U.S. National Amateur Champion Rhino Page (pictured), Lawrence, KS, and Nick Smith, Canyon Country, CA, both 711.
Sean Swanson (left), Springfield, MO, and Vinnie Atria, Louisville, KY, shot three-game series of 750 and 745 to lead the 17th of 26 qualifying squads in the Super Bowl Mini Eliminator here at the Orleans Bowling Center. Both players advanced to the Daily Finals and are guaranteed $250.
Bryon Smith (pictured), Roseburg, OR defeated Paul Moor from England, 215-202, in the deciding match of the Open Division Daily Finals to advance to the Grand finale of the 5th Annual Super Bowl Mini Eliminator on Sunday, Feb. 12. Chris Viale, Westfield, MA (39 and under), Ricky Schissler, Henderson, CO (40-49), Joe Krajkovich, North Brunswick, NJ (50-59) and David Fiarow (205 and under) survived in the other divisions. All winners are guaranteed $1,250 in the Grand Finale.
Tyler Jensen hit a $50,000 jackpot at the Orleans Hotel/Casino Sunday night but he had to do it the hard way. No, I don't mean he had to make a hard eight at the crap table…the 22-year old rolled the dice in a different way. In a gutsy gamble, he changed strike balls before his 10th frame shot on the right lane…one that had been tougher than a blackjack dealer who continues to draw until he hits 21. 
The week of the Super Bowl is traditionally the busiest of the year in Las Vegas. But not for the megabuck bowlers. For them, it's the week after Super Bowl Sunday. Four - count 'em - four megabuck tournaments were conducted following Super Bowl XL-- the biggest - and the best - was the fifth annual Super Bowl Mini Eliminator at The Orleans Bowling Center. 
22-year-old Tyler Jensen of Flower Mound, Texas, rolled a 224-game in the Grand Finale shootout match en route to win the 5th annual Super Bowl Mini Eliminator and the huge $50,000 top prize. The five division champions bowled a one-game shootout for the title and a $108,500 top-five prize fund.
Swede Eva Jönnson defeated Leonhard Ruiz, Diamond Bar, Ca, 224-192, in the final match of the 39 and under Division Daily Finals, to become the sole woman to advance to the Super Bowl Mini Eliminator Grand Finale through the Daily Finals. Jönnson is guaranteed $1,250 for accomplishing the feat. 
Mark Van Meter (left, Albuquerque, NM, 737 and Bart Reitsma (right), Netherlands, 684, not only shot the highest daily series on the last qualifying day of the Super Bowl Mini Eliminator but the highest of all week in the 50-59 and 2005 (average) and under Division, resp. Alex Cavagnaro, N Massapequa, NY, rolled 667 to lead the 39 and under Division, while Pete Thomas, Oklahoma City, OK, 656, and Gary Skidmore, Albuquerque, NM, 708, led the 40-49 and Open Division, resp. 
Shane Keefauver, Canton, IL, shot the second perfect game of the 5th Annual Super Bowl Mini Eliminator during the penultimate qualifying squad here at the Orleans Bowling Center in Las Vegas. Keefauver, who qualified for the Grand Finale in the Open Division through yesterday's Daily Finals added games of 258 and 247 to post the first 800-series of the event with 805.
Sixty of 76 players - 12 in each of the five main divisions - for the 5th Super Bowl Mini Eliminator Grand Finale on Sunday at 4pm are determined as qualifying nears conclusion. The final two squads will start at 10am and noon with the Daily Finals to be held immediately afterwards. Surviving the Daily Finals on Saturday evening were William Holota - Bolton, CT (39 and under Division); Miles Nerona - New Westminster, BC (40-49); Robert Shank - Fort Wayne, IN (50-59); Danny Cobbs, La Puente, CA (2005 and under); and Shane Keefauver - Canton, IL (Open Division). 
In a battle between two former Team USA members and U.S. National Amateur champions, Rhino Page (pictured), Lawrence, KS beat Andrew Cain; Chandler, AZ by 12 pins, 749-737, in the Open Division to advance to the Grand Finale of the Super Bowl Mini Eliminator in Las Vegas. Also qualified for tomorrow's main event are Raul Rosales, Jeff Garrison, Ken Webber, and Chuck Czygryn.
Multiple Team USA member Andrew Cain shot a 737 three-game series in the 23rd qualifying squad at the Super Bowl Mini Eliminator to overtake the previous high series in the Open Division set by Lenny Boresch by one pin. If nobody beats his score in the final qualifying spot the lefty from Chandler, AZ, will earn a berth into the Grand Finale tomorrow at 4pm and is guaranteed $1,250. 
Lennie Boresch, Kenosha, WI, rolled a huge 736 three-game series in the second qualifying squad today, 22nd overall, to take the lead in the Open Division in the Super Bowl Mini Eliminator here at the Orleans Bowling Center. The players with the highest daily 3-game series from each of the five main divisions automatically advance to Sunday's Grand Finale. 
Pat Grogan, Seneca, South Carolina was the only player to top the 200-mark in the final game of the 2006 Super Bowl Mini Eliminator Brunswick Shootout, and his steady 201 was enough to earn the $10,000 champion's check in the $125,000 event. "This is the biggest thing I've ever won," said the 44-year-old postal worker. Vinnie Atria earned $5,000 for his efforts, Scott Pohl took home $3,000, William Holota cashed for $2,500 and Michael Banha earned $2,000. 
Raul Rosales (pictured), El Monte, CA, beat out Teddy Turner, San Diego, CA, 711 to 710, to set the high series in the 39 and under Division at the Mini Eliminator in the first of four squads on Saturday. William Holota, who cashed $2,500 for fourth place in the Brunswick Shootout, was the third player in the division to advance to the Daily Finals. 
When Mini Eliminator bowlers return for the summer Mini Eliminator July 3-10, they will notice some big changes to the Orleans Bowling Center. Starting in mid-March, the 70-lane center will begin the final phase of the $1.9 million renovation that began in 2005 when all new Brunswick GSX pinsetters were installed. When this project is complete the four coast centers will be among the most modern in the world. 
The European ranking champion Paul Moor, England, has played well all week but was not yet qualified for the Grand Finale of the 5th Annual Super Bowl Mini Eliminator. After failing to advance in the Daily Finals on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, the number 4 turned out to be his lucky number. He defeated 2005 U.S. National Amateur champion Rhino Page in an all-lefty affair, 225-209, to book his spot for the finals on Sunday.
Three players in the fourth and final qualifying squad on Friday advanced to the Grand Finals of the Super Bowl Mini Eliminator through the daily high series. Adam Barta (pictured), Girard, OH, felled 737 to lead the 39 and under Division. Paul McCordic, Sugarland, TX, overtook the lead in the 50-59 Division with 722 and Philip Le Baquin, Cerritos, CA, rolled 664 high in the 205 and under. 
Team USA member David Haynes shot the first 300-game of the 5th Annual Super Bowl Mini Eliminator to help grab the lead in the Open Division today after three of four qualifying squads with 757. Other squad leaders were Joe Mazuryk (39 and under); Bo Goergen (40-49); Jim Wagner (50-59); and Steve Tomaras (205 and under).
28 players bowled in the Open Division of the 18th qualifying squad at the Super Bowl Mini Eliminator. The top three players (1 in 8 advance) made it to the Daily Finals worth minimum $250. Kerry Kraft, Warren, MI, set the pace with 721, followed by 2004 U.S. National Amateur Champion Rhino Page (pictured), Lawrence, KS, and Nick Smith, Canyon Country, CA, both 711. 
Sean Swanson (left), Springfield, MO, and Vinnie Atria, Louisville, KY, shot three-game series of 750 and 745 to lead the 17th of 26 qualifying squads in the Super Bowl Mini Eliminator here at the Orleans Bowling Center. Both players advanced to the Daily Finals and are guaranteed $250.
Bryon Smith (pictured), Roseburg, OR defeated Paul Moor from England, 215-202, in the deciding match of the Open Division Daily Finals to advance to the Grand finale of the 5th Annual Super Bowl Mini Eliminator on Sunday, Feb. 12. Chris Viale, Westfield, MA (39 and under), Ricky Schissler, Henderson, CO (40-49), Joe Krajkovich, North Brunswick, NJ (50-59) and David Fiarow (205 and under) survived in the other divisions. All winners are guaranteed $1,250 in the Grand Finale.