July 30, 2024 Nolan Hughes

Liz Johnson repeats in Women’s Classic division; 12 players advance to televised Clash

After seven weeks of competition, the 2024 Professional Bowlers Association League Bowler Certification National Championships have officially concluded.

Exactly 1,200 entrants competed in the second annual PBA LBC National Championships, which was held at Bowlero Mount Prospect outside of Chicago.

Twelve finalists, including all eight division winners, three runners-up and the leading super senior, have advanced to the PBA LBC National Championships Clash.

The televised finals will be held in September at Bayside Bowl in Portland, Maine and will air September 24th at 8 p.m. ET on FS1.

At stake: a $60,000 top prize and the iconic Duke trophy.

Open Classic: Mark Blaha (1,523) and David “Boog” Krol (1,505)

The story of Mark Blaha’s final game of PBA LBC National Championships qualifying will be told to generations of Blahas. The Minnesota native shot 279, catapulting himself into the lead and, ultimately, clinching the $25,000 top prize and a berth in the Clash.

Blaha brought his son’s stuffed animal, a monkey named “Duke,” with him to the tournament as inspiration. Now, “Duke” will get to meet Norm Duke as Blaha sits within striking distance of winning the trophy.

For David Krol, his performance at Bowlero Mount Prospect continued what has been a breakout year of epic proportions.

The 28-year-old began the 2024 PBA Tour season without a title or exempt status — which is why he competed in the Open Classic division, not the PBA Exempt division. He had to earn a spot in the main field through a pre-tournament qualifier every week until he won his first title in March.

Despite the weekly seven-game sprints against the hoard of hungry and talented players fighting for their careers, Krol ended the season a two-time PBA Tour champion and a top-10 player on the tour.

No PBA Elite League team picked up Krol during the March transaction window, which immediately followed his first title in Delaware. Yet, in apropos 2024 Krol fashion, he blazed his own trail to Portland.

Women’s Classic: Liz Johnson (1,512) and Gianna Brandolino (1,396)

It’s not hyperbolic to say the Women’s Classic division advancers represent the past, present and future of women's bowling.

Liz Johnson, who has won 25 PWBA Tour titles, six U.S. Women’s Open titles and the 2017 PBA Chameleon Championship, booked a return trip to Portland by winning the Women’s Classic division for the second year in a row. She shot 825 for her last three games to surpass 17-year-old Gianna Brandolino for the lead.

Brandolino finished as the runner up in the PBA Junior Girls National Championships earlier this year. The rising high school senior now adds the Women’s Classic division runner-up to her glowing résumé.

When the LBC National Championships wrapped up competition, Brandolino was competing for Junior Team USA in the 2024 International Bowling Federation World Youth Championships in Korea. She’ll rack up even more frequent flier miles as she joins Johnson in Portland this September.

Senior Classic: William Froberg (1,414) and Lennie Boresch Jr. (1,357; high super senior)

William “Billy” Froberg propelled himself to the Senior Classic division title on the backs of 288 and 268 games. The Michigan native earned the $5,000 top prize.

Boresch’s achievements over the past 18 months, including his induction to the PBA Hall of Fame and his Senior Classic division title last year, are simply legendary — but they pale in comparison to his fight off the lanes against kidney failure and small cell carcinoma on his prostate.

“I am just happy to be here,” he said in July while leading the PBA60 Tristan’s T.A.P.S. Memorial Open. “I am more relaxed and maybe that helped my game. I appreciate everything, as tomorrow is not promised to any of us.”

Men’s Handicap: Bobby Kunimura (1,567 total; 1,447 scratch)

After taking the lead during the second weekend of the tournament, Bobby Kunimura's agonizing, five-week wait is over.

His front-10, 287 in Game 5 proved to be the difference maker as the Naperville, Ill. native powered to the top of the Men’s Handicap division.

Women’s Handicap: Kahlen Ranson (1,451 total; 1,121 scratch)

Kahlen Ranson, who just finished her freshman season at the University of St. Francis (Ill.), brought home the Women’s Handicap division crown.

The pre-nursing major now gets to make the 16-hour trek across the I-90 from her hometown of Alsip, Ill. to Portland.

Boys Jr. Handicap: Garrett Beyer (1,461 total; 1,071 scratch)

In his first-ever Wisconsin Youth Bowlers Tour, Garrett Beyer brought home the win. He did the same in his PBA LBC National Championship debut, winning the Boys Jr. Handicap division.

The young two-hander brings home a $2,500 SMART Scholarship for his efforts.

Girls Jr. Handicap: Brianna Merner (1,347 total; 1,131 scratch)

Brianna Merner, a 17-year-old Illinois native, climbed to the top of the Girls Jr. Handicap division with a 1,131 scratch total. The Mundelein High School student earned a $2,500 SMART Scholarship for her efforts.

Earlier this year, Merner also received the Bowl4Life PBA Johnny Petraglia Scholarship for an essay she wrote answering the question: “How do you think Americans should unite for the greater good of our country?"

PBA Exempt: Graham Fach (1,634) and Kris Prather (1,529)

Graham Fach and Kris Prather emerged as the best of the best in the PBA Exempt division, open only to players who finished top 50 in the 2023 PBA Tour points list.

Prather’s score led for much of the event until Fach’s 1,634 six-game series set the new PBA LBC National Championships all-time record. 

The two Portland Lumberjacks will reap a home-field advantage of sorts during the Clash.

Doubles and Team Event Winners

Doubles — Scratch
Riley Smith and Graham Fach, 1,598

Doubles — Handicap
Orlando Rodriguez Jr. and Sean Rash, 1,499

Team — Scratch
Nate Garcia, Mitch Hupé, David Krol and Nick Pate, 3,024

Team — Handicap
Melvin McEntee, Mitch Hupé, EJ Tackett and Kyle Troup, 2,903

More information on the PBA LBC National Championship tournament is available here.

Complete standings are available here.