Runk, Cagle Excel on Second Day of PBA Tour Trials
Powered by his third 300 game of the week, Brandon Runk has taken the PBA Tour Trials lead.
Runk has accumulated a total pinfall of 5,785 (+985) through 24 of 48 games. His blistering third and fourth rounds, in which he averaged 246.58 on the 41-foot pattern, raised his overall average to 241.04.
The left-hander summarized his day at Bowlero Randall Road in two words: Cloud Nine.
“Everything just happened to click. I saw the picture fairly clearly after Game 1, and just rode the wave really. It was as simple as that,” Runk said after the fourth round late Wednesday evening.
Runk said he felt his chances of finishing in the top 12 are “pretty good.” He sits 330 pins ahead of 13th-placed William Svensson.
A top-12 finish would net Runk, and the other 11 players, exempt status on the 2025 PBA Tour, which includes priority entry for all 2025 PBA Tour events and eligibility for the PBA Elite League draft.
“I know the next two days are going to be a little bit tougher, so right now the goal is to just fill frames,” Runk said. “I think I built myself enough of a cushion to where that can be my mindset, so hopefully that stays true. I know I've been going a lot plus, but the spare shooting ain't where it should be. You don't want to rely on eight-baggers.”
Tim Cagle II sits in second place, followed by Hayden Stippich, Pete Vergos and Tim Foy Jr. to round out the top five.
Chase Nadeau, Anthony Neuer, Cam Crowe, Frank Snodgrass, Andrew Hall, Bailey Mavrick and Brad Miller (+661) fill out the current top 12.
Cagle, who leads the PBA West Region in points so far this season, stole the show on Thursday, averaging over 250 to climb from 19th to second place. He shot five games over 260 including a 300.
“I scored the way I was hoping to,” Cagle said. “I told myself I needed to score high on the beginning two patterns, because when it comes to the later patterns, I'm not the greatest on them. As many pins as I can get helps save me for the last two days.”
The Hercules, Calif. native said his unorthodox release, which is more of an overhand pushing motion than a typical player’s roll, makes speed control more difficult. Therefore, he feels he performs better on shorter patterns where he can his naturally-faster ball speed matches up better to his rev rate.
After two days of competition on 35- and 41-foot patterns, the final two days will be contested on 44- and 47-foot patterns.
The second half of PBA Tour Trials continues on Thursday at Bowlero Mount Prospect. The two rounds will begin at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Central (12/7 p.m. Eastern).
All rounds of PBA Tour Trials will be livestreamed on BowlTV.
More information on PBA Tour Trials is available here.
Round 4 Leaders
- Brandon Runk, 5,785 (+985) — +330 pins ahead of 13th place
- Tim Cagle II, 5,723 (+923) — +268 pins
- Hayden Stippich, 5,717 (+917) — +262 pins
- Pete Vergos, 5,640 (+840) — +185 pins
- Tim Foy Jr., 5,638 (+838) — +183 pins
- Chase Nadeau, 5,551 (+751) — +96 pins
- Anthony Neuer, 5,521 (+721) — +66 pins
- Cam Crowe, 5,489 (+689) — +34 pins
- Frank Snodgrass, 5,479 (+679) — +24 pins
- Andrew Hall, 5,471 (+671) — +16 pins
- Bailey Mavrick, 5,467 (+667) — +12 pins
- Brad Miller, 5,461 (+661) — +6 pins
Full standings are available here.
PBA Tour Trials Schedule
All times listed in Central
Monday, Aug. 19 — Pre-Tournament Qualifier
Results
Tuesday, Aug. 20 — Bowlero Woodridge
11 a.m. — Qualifying Round 1 (six games; 35’ PBA pattern)
6 p.m. — Qualifying Round 2 (six games; 35’ PBA pattern)
Wednesday, Aug. 21 — Bowlero Randall Road
11 a.m. — Qualifying Round 1 (six games; 41’ PBA pattern)
6 p.m. — Qualifying Round 2 (six games; 41’ PBA pattern)
Results
Thursday, Aug. 22 — Bowlero Mount Prospect
11 a.m. — Qualifying Round 1 (six games; 44’ PBA pattern)
6 p.m. — Qualifying Round 2 (six games; 44 PBA pattern)
Friday, Aug. 23 — Bowlero Deer Park
11 a.m. — Qualifying Round 1 (six games; 47 PBA pattern)
6 p.m. — Qualifying Round 2 (six games; 47 PBA pattern)
Top 12 players qualify for 2025 PBA Tour exempt status