Three Narrow Pins Divide Two Winning Twins at Youth Bowling Tournament

It came down to just three pins between 16-year-old twins Briana and Jessica Juhl, but it was Briana who took home first place when officials finalized the results from the Yuba-Sutter Youth Invitational Bowling Tournament this week.

“You can’t get much closer than that,” said Lisa Porria, spokeswoman for the Gilroy Youth Bowling League. 

The tournament, in Yuba City on Jan. 30, offered scholarship money to the winners. Briana took home $200, and Jessica took home $94.

Briana bowled an 871 over five games, and Jessica bowled a slightly higher 878. Yet when the handicaps were calculated, Briana won by a narrow three pins.

“Every bowler has a handicap. It’s just like golf,” said Porria.

The girls will join 17 of their teammates at the Northern California district finals in Fremont, the Pepsi National Bowling tournament, on March 12. Top-placing competitors will move on to the semifinals, then the national championships.

The Gilroy Youth Bowling League sent one competitor, 14-year-old Elizabeth Connolly, to the semifinals in 2008. She finished third.

The Gilroy Youth Bowling league began in 1960 and is open to youth from the South Valley area. Call Gilroy Bowl for details at 408-842-5100.