Elgin Lanes Dominates, Wins Back to Back Titles

The seventh annual Elgin X-Town Classic ended with Elgin Lanes winning back to back titles for the first time in its history and left Bowlway Lanes looking for answers. This was the lowest scoring X-Town Classic ever as both teams struggled to string strikes, convert spares, and close out games. Team Bowlway had its chances to win, but each time they let it slip away, while Team Elgin’s less than stellar performance was more than enough to claim victory. Both teams were sloppy many times throughout the tournament and it showed. Even as Team Elgin sailed to a 12-2 advantage in points and a 228 pin lead, this year’s showing was a messy event.

Champions Team Elgin is from left, Jason Svehla,
Drew Perly, Dan Svehla, Keith Davis, and Barry Lawler.

In game one, Bowlway came out strong with the middle of its lineup putting together strikes as Elgin struggled to carry shots. But as the game wore on, a string of critical splits and missed spares led to a narrow win for Elgin Lanes with a 993 team score, led by Barry Lawler (223) and Jason Svehla (213). Bowlway posted a 962 score, led by Sean Hargadon (230), and Brad Read (222), and John Golden (201).

By game two, Bowlway appeared to have lost its energy and easily fell to Elgin’s 1,000 team score, led by Dan Svehla (217), Drew Perly (215), and Keith Davis (214). Bowlway finished with a feeble 880 score, led by Brad Read’s (200). 

By the third game, the title was already won by Elgin Lanes, but this was about tying the total series, which Bowlway clung to with a slim 21-20 record. Again, it was another messy display. By the end, Elgin once again closed out a victory by six pins and finished with a 936 team score, led by Keith Davis (240) and Barry Lawler (225). Bowlay finished with (930).

Now, after seven years of history, things have grown much more interesting for both teams. In the early years, Bowlway dominated winning three titles consecutively, but in recent outings the tide has changed as Elgin has stepped up its game and has a deep bench of players. While Bowlway Lanes has four titles and Elgin has three titles, both teams are even with 21 games won a piece, and Bowlway hangs on to a slim lead in total pins with 61. Moving forward, the stakes should much be higher for both teams.

BOX SCORE

Team Bowlway    962    880       930     = 2,772
Team Elgin         993    1,000    936       = 2,929

 

Team Elgin: Keith David 640 series, Barry Lawler (632), Drew Perly (565) series, Dan Svehla (562), and Jason Svehla (530). The team finished with a 195.3 average.

Team Bowlway: Brad Read 621 series, John Golden (578), Sean Hargadon (548), JJ Meyer (526), and Wayne Curley (499). The team finished 184.8 average.

RECAP - WEEK 2
Game one: Team Elgin leads Team Bowlway 2-0 in points.
Game two: Team Elgin extends lead Team Elgin 4-0.
Game three: Team Bowlway wins Team Elgin 6-0.
Series totals: Team Elgin take series over Team Bowlway 7-0.

Team Elgin wins two-week tournament in total points 12-2 and total pins by 228.

The Elgin Cross-Town Classic VII was sponsored by Bowlway Lanes, Elgin Lanes, Elgin Today, madwill creative, and is certified by the United States Bowling Congress.

Elgin Lanes Strikes First, Hangs On to Early X-Town Lead

The pin action came early and often on the first day of this year’s Elgin X-Town Classic before changing lane conditions brought everyone down to earth. Elgin Lanes claimed the first game convincingly, the second game just barely, before Bowlway bounced back to win game three. Elgin left Bowlway Lanes with a 5-2 lead in points and posted a narrow 71-pin lead, which may not hold up if last year’s result is any indication.  

In game one, both teams seemed to play cat and mouse for the first few frames before Elgin Lanes hit the gas and never looked back. They walled up frame after frame with strikes, something people have seen before from this team. Elgin Lanes posted a solid 1,084 team score, led by Drew Perly (235), Dan Svehla (226), Jason Svehla (223), and Keith Davis (207). Bowlway posted a 999 team score, led by the lefty John Golden (224) and his son, Brad Read (203).

Jason Svehla strikes for Elgin Lanes.
Photo by Bruce Shipyor.

During the second game, the lanes began to transition, and most of the bowlers who played inside early struggled to adjust. It was close throughout the whole game. Elgin squeaked out a win with a low 971 team score, led once again by Drew Perly (220) and newcomer Barry Lawler (213). Bowlway posted a 947 score with John Golden (229) leading the way.

By the third game, the struggle was real, as both teams kept trying to adjust and string strikes. The frustration was visible and many bowlers seemed to focus even more as the game grew more intense. A few opens by Elgin opened the door for Bowlway to pull ahead with the help of Brad Read and JJ Meyer, who starting stringing strikes. By the end of the game, Bowlway claimed victory with a solid 1,021 score, led by JJ (227), Brad (220) and John Golden (215). Elgin Lanes posted a 983 score led by Dan Svehla’s 229.

Going into Elgin Lanes this Saturday, the home team will have a chance to win the title outright by winning two games. If they only win one game, then it will come down to total pins, and Elgin’s 71-pin lead is really not that much when you consider the results of past tournaments. Still, if they do win, this would be the first time Elgin Lanes wins back-to-back titles.

Team Bowlway has work to do at Elgin Lanes where scoring can be big. The emotions should be high as both teams have something to play for as year seven comes to an end for this unique tournament.

BOX SCORE

Team Elgin         1084  971      983       = 3,038

Team Bowlway    999     847      1021  = 2,967
 
Team Elgin: Drew Perly 654 series, Barry Lawler (613), Dan Svehla (610), Jason Svehla (609) and Keith David (552). The team finished with a 202.5 average.

Team Bowlway: John Golden 668 series, Brad Read (604), JJ Meyer (593), Wayne Curley (563), and Sean Hargadon (539). The team finished 197.8 average.

RECAP
Game one: Team Elgin leads Team Bowlway 2-0 in points.
Game two: Team Elgin extends lead Team Elgin 4-0.
Game three: Team Bowlway wins Team Elgin 4-2.
Series totals: Team Elgin leads Team Bowlway 5-2.

Team Elgin leads in total pins by 71.

The Elgin Cross-Town Classic VII continues this week at Elgin Lanes, 410 Shepard Drive on Saturday, April 20, starting at 12pm. The team that wins the most match-game points over the two week’s competition will be declared Elgin’s Match Game Champions and will personally receive the Mayor’s Cup from Elgin Mayor Dave Kaptain. The event is free and open to the public. It’s sponsored by Bowlway Lanes, Elgin Lanes, Elgin Today, madwill creative, and is certified by the United States Bowling Congress.

X-Town Classic Gets Set for Year Seven

The Elgin Cross-Town Classic begins its seventh year when Elgin Lanes goes against Bowlway Lanes for another competitive series of matches. Elgin looks to defend its title and retain the Mayor’s Cup. The event is free and open to the public. Elgin Today’s Jeff Myers will emcee the event.


The first three matches will be held on Saturday, April 13 at Bowlway Lanes at 810 Villa Street, starting at 1pm. The following week on Saturday, April 20, Elgin Lanes located 401 Shepard Drive will host the final three matches, starting at 12 noon. The team that wins the most match game points will be this year's Match-Game Champion.


The annual tournament began in 2013 and consists of a series of challenge matches. Bowlway Lanes completed a three-peat by winning the first three years of the tournament.


In year four, Elgin Lanes dominated the tournament by setting a series of scoring records and claimed its first Mayor’s Cup. In year five, Bowlway Lanes won by a narrow margin of 15pins and reclaimed the cup – an annual tradition when Elgin Mayor David Kaptain presents the traveling trophy to the winning team. Last year, Elgin Lanes was able to win back the Mayor’s Cup by 120 pins – earning them their second Mayor’s Cup in three years.

Bowlway Lanes returns this year with Wayne Curley (216), Sean Hargadon (200), JJ Meyer (200), John Golden (204), and newcomer Brad Read (209). Elgin Lanes returns this year with Drew Perly (220 average), Keith Davis (204), Dan Svelha (209), Jason Svehla (225), and Barry Lawler (210).

The Elgin Cross-Town Classic features five players per team, selected from each bowling center. The format is simple: Bowlway and Elgin Lanes will match their bowlers against each other for three matches (games) at each bowling center.  Whatever team has the most match points after two weekends is declared the winner. Total pins can break a tie in points. Each team can win two points for each game won plus one point for series. There will be a possible 7 points that can be won each week and 14 points total for the two weeks of matches.

Since its inception, close to 70,000 pins have been knocked with 360 games bowled. Bowlway Lanes leads the total series with 20 wins. Elgin has 16 wins. Bowlway leads in total pin count by a margin of 289 pins.

The Elgin Cross-Town Classic VII will be held on Saturday, April 13 at Bowlway Lanes located 810 Villa Street, starting at 1pm. The following week on Saturday, April 20, Elgin Lanes at 401 Shepard Drive, will host the next three matches, starting at 12pm. The event is free and open to the public. It’s sponsored by Bowlway Lanes, Elgin Lanes, Elgin Today, madwill creative, and is certified by the United States Bowling Congress.