Beatthechamps

The 2026 Beat the Champs Tournament Concludes at Palos Lanes – Men’s Champion Edges Runner-Up by One Pin

The 63rd Annual Beat the Champs Adult Division Finals crowned two new champions, each taking home the $10,000 first-place prize. The finals, held at Palos Lanes in Palos Hills, Illinois, on March 15, 2026, concluded the tournament, which began on the first Sunday in December and secured 13,863 entries—up 2% compared to the previous year.

One pin separated the Men’s Champion, Anthony Sheridan of Fox Bowl, from second-place finisher Justin Jones of Skyway Bowl, 1042 to 1041. In the Women’s Division, Nadine Louise Blecke of Wood Dale Bowl racked up a score of 1041 to defeat runner-up Judy Shaver of Poplar Creek Bowl, who shot 1009.

The event, which was sponsored and conducted by the Illinois State Bowling Proprietors’ Association, Storm Bowling, and Coolwick Apparel, welcomed a visit from last week’s PBA U.S. Open Champion, Patrick Dombrowski, who secured his first national touring title; he is currently an 11-time PBA Regional Champion. Dombrowski was a constant presence at the bowling center throughout the day, taking photos, signing autographs, and participating in the presentation of awards for both the morning’s 4th Annual Youth Championships as well as during the adult competition.

Illinois State BPA Tournament Director Tom Sims spoke about what makes the Beat the Champs Tournament so special: “In addition to the long history of the event, we are most proud that throughout its history all net proceeds generated from this prestigious tournament are donated to charity.” As during the prior two years, the 2026 net proceeds will be donated to the Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL) and are expected to total more than $14,000 in donations —up 30% compared to the prior year.

The prize list is below.

The 2026 Beat the Champs Tournament Concludes at Palos Lanes
The 4th Annual Beat the Champs Youth Division Finals crowned four champions at Palos Lanes in Palos Hills, Illinois, on March 15, 2026. The event, sponsored by the Illinois State Bowling Proprietors’ Association, Storm Bowling, and – Coolwick Apparel, awarded titles across four divisions:

Girls 12-17 Champion:
Natalie Abruzzo, Don Carter Lanes, Rockford, Ill. – 773

Boys 12-17 Champion:
Liam Letherby, Laraway Lanes, New Lenox, Ill. – 794

Girls 11 & Under Champion:
Arya Vargas, Habetler Bowl, Ill. – 759

Boys 11 & Under Champion:
Jase Royal, Laraway Lanes, New Lenox, Ill. – 724

The scoring was high, and the pace was quick, with all three games completed in less than 90 minutes. Laraway Lanes claimed both boys' titles. The Youth Division, added in 2023, has been a key complement to the historic Beat the Champs Tournament, now in its 63rd year. Adding to the excitement of the event, the 2026 PBA US Open Champion Patrick Dombrowski attended the event and participated in the presentations of awards.

As in previous years, all net proceeds from the tournament will be donated to charity. This year’s donation will once again be directed to the Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL), an organization dedicated to brightening the lives of veterans. This donation is expected to exceed $14,000, up from a year-ago, assisted by a growth in entries.

Prize list below.

ISBPA Wraps Up Busy Week with Competition

The past few days have been busy ones for the Illinois State BPA Tournament office. On Thursday evening, the association hosted its 63rd Beat the Champs Target Show, live streamed by event sponsor Storm Bowling. Legends Pete Weber and Leanne Hulsenberg were joined by youth bowling standouts Jos Weems and Anna Antony, dazzling the 250 fans in attendance with both their on-lane performances and entertaining off-lane banter. It was a tremendously fun event, and the ISBPA greatly appreciates the contributions made by all participating bowlers.

The ISBPA would also like to thank Storm’s Gary Hulsenberg, Blair Blumenscheid, Emil Williams, and Bill Spigner for their partnership and professionalism in producing the live stream. A special shout-out goes to second sponsor Coolwick Apparel for distributing merchandise to fans throughout the evening.

Just two days later, the ISBPA welcomed 128 teams to compete in the Kegel / ISBPA Midwest Collegiate Classic. Tournament management group H2M elevated the event by increasing the field size by 20 percent compared to the previous year. The ISBPA thanks Nick Hoagland and Steve Harman for their vision and congratulates them on running another successful event.

The ISBPA also thanks the bowlers and coaches who competed in this Tier 1 event and congratulates Calumet College of St. Joseph for winning the men’s division and Mount Mercy for capturing its second consecutive women’s title.

All-Tournament Team Men:
Luke Winter, Wisconsin–Whitewater
Jacob Bockstie, Mount Mercy
Nate Trentler, Calumet
Mason Doan, Calumet
Aidan Furukawa, SCAD–Savannah

All-Tournament Team Women:
Rachel Moore, Culver–Stockton
Ashley Gorman, William Penn
Zandria Davis, Oklahoma Christian
Hailey Bozych, Lindenwood
Kenzi Nieman, Rochester Christian

63rd Annual Beat the Champs Target Score Show

The 63rd Annual Beat the Champs Target Score Show, featuring Hall of Fame bowlers Pete Weber and Leanne Hulsenberg,

alongside youth standouts Jos Weems and Anna Antony, delivered an exciting showcase of talent at Arena Lanes in Oak Lawn, Illinois, on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Sixteen-year-old Jos Weems stole the spotlight by rolling a remarkable 759 series to post the highest score of the event.

Approximately 250 bowling fans filled the center and enjoyed the spirited interactions between the bowlers and the fans.

The Beat the Champs Tournament was conducted during a weeklong in-house league qualifying round, with scores recorded throughout the week. The top scores, including handicap, will advance to qualifying rounds beginning in February. Bowlers advancing to the next zone finals will be notified in early February.

The Target Score Show honors the long-standing tradition of the tournament, which originally awarded an “I Beat the Champ” patch to bowlers who surpassed scores set by the professional competitors. While the format has evolved, today’s participants can access and print artist-rendered images of the bowlers competing in the Target Score Show through online access.

As part of the tournament’s tradition, all net proceeds are donated to charity. This year’s beneficiary is Bowlers to Veteran Links, an organization that provides funding for programs benefiting veterans’ needs. In addition, during the Target Score Show, strikes recorded in the 5th and 10th frames triggered additional donations to the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Utah.

Event sponsors included Storm Bowling, Coolwick Apparel, and the Illinois State Bowling Proprietors’ Association. Fans can watch footage from the event at
https://www.facebook.com/StormisBowling
or https://www.youtube.com/

Adult Target Scores…
Pete Weber: 238, 237, 202 --- 677
Leanne Hulsenberg: 210, 169, 223 --- 602

Youth Child Scores…
Jos Weems: 226, 289, 244 --- 759
Anna Antony: 225, 205, 220 --- 650

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
2026 Beat the Champs Live Stream Show
Thursday Night, January 15, 2026: 5:00 pm - 6 pm

Featuring: All-Time Greats Pete Weber, Leanne Hulsenberg, with youth sensations Jos Weems and Anna Antony.

Sponsored by: Strom Bowling, Coolwick Apparel and the Illinois State BPA.

Live Stream on at:

- YouTube Welcome to the home for bowling content!