Aussies top NM in 3rd International Challenge Cup

A year and a half ago, Tenpins & More bowling alley owner Steve Mackie received an email from an old friend. Australian bowler Joshua Kemp was reaching out to Mackie to start planning for the third International Challenge Cup, a bowling competition between a team of New Mexicans and a team of bowlers from Brisbane, Australia.

"It grew from there. We raised more than $ 25,000 to bring the team here,” Kemp said in a news release.

The last International Challenge Cup took place 12 years ago at Tenpins & More. Kemp was part of the Aussie squad who won that competition.

This time, the seven Australian youth bowlers were able to defend their title, winning 68-47.

According to the news release, “The Australians jumped to an early points lead in the team segments, winning 25 points to 13 from the Rio Ranchoans and headlined by Troy Howell, who put together 268, 253, 269 and 246 for a series of 1,036."

Robin Prioleau won girls singles with 201, 214,227 and 222 (864). Luke Howell beat the boys, scoring 837 over four games.

The Masters titles stage came next. Rio Rancho's Mia Medina lost a close one to Renee Kyte, 166-169, who then lost to teammate, Izzy Leonard, by 49 pins.

“Tyler Grier, a former Rams bowler, lost by 50 pins to Troy Howell, who then eliminated Alberto Medina 170-236. In the last match, Luke threw three strikes in the dying stages to win 214-199 over his younger brother,” Mackie reported in the release.

The Australian team will be staying another week to compete in the 10th Youth New Mexico Open, which will take place at Tenpins & More.

For more information, visit tenpinsmore.com.

- Steve Mackie contributed to this article