North Dakota’s greatest bowling tradition enters its 37th year this weekend at Midway Lanes in Mandan, ND. The 2023 KFYR TV Bowling Classic will once again feature a sold out field of 120 bowlers, all vying for a spot on the live TV show finals and a shot at the $2000 top prize. Here are some of the storylines going into the seasons 3rd Major.
Lane Pattern Analysis
The lane pattern for the 2023 KFYR TV Bowling Classic will be a custom 46 foot pattern featuring 28 mls of oil and a ratio of 3.5 to 1. The length of the pattern will force players towards the middle of the lane early on, leading to an interesting transition as the qualifying round progresses. Ultimately, the pattern will produce decent scores for those who can find enough shape to get the corners out. I expect the cut to be in the +25 to +50 range.
Back to Back
Brady Stearns will enter the 2023 KFYR TV Bowling Classic with a rare opportunity to not only become the first back to back winner since John Juba in the late 80’s, but will also have an opportunity to become the first bowler to win the Morris Anderson Memorial Shootout and the KFYR in the same season. Stearns is fresh off a victory in Minot last weekend at the Shootout and will look to keep the momentum going this weekend at Midway Lanes.
NDBowling.com Player of the Year Race
The 2022-2023 NDBowling.com Player of the Year Race enters a critical turning point this weekend at the KFYR.
Who will take control of the Player of the Year Race?
CURRENT SEASON TOP 10
1 – Jeremiah Smith 72.70
2 – Jamey Kragh 71.60
3 – Josh Kragh 60.75
4 – Tayler Wallstrum 59.35
5 – Randy Peterson 57.60
6 – Rodney Holm 56.90
7 – Ryan Krabbenhoft 53.10
8 – Ryan Selk 51.30
9 – Jon Breckel 49.25
10 – Mike Green 47.60
Bold Predictions
Without knowing the full roster, here are my bold predictions for the final 5 on the KFYR TV Finals.
– Clayton Mohr
– Jon Breckel
– Brady Stearns
– Josh Kragh
– Jeremiah Smith
The finals will be broadcast live on Western North Dakota NBC stations starting at 12:30 pm on Sunday February 5th. We will post updates on the NDBowling.com Facebook page.
KFYR Past Champions:
1987 – Keith Feist
1988 – John Juba
1989 – John Juba
1990 – John Juba
1991 – Doug Kurtz
1992 – Jack Nelson
1993 – Ron Fettig
1994 – Larry Scott
1995 – Duane Sandvick
1996 – Jack Nelson
1997 – Brian Urbanec
1998 – Duane Sandvick
1999 – Dave Schick
2000 – Todd Baumgartner
2001 – Gary Bentley
2002 – Eric Kempel
2003 – Phil Mann
2004 – Travis Hersrud
2005 – Russ Meyer
2006 – Tim Pausch
2007 – Steve Flynn
2008 – Jack Nelson
2009 – Ryan Schleicher
2010 – Ricky Beck
2011 – Dave Schick
2012 – Phil Mann
2013 – Matt Smallin
2014 – Ryan Sandvick
2015 – Matt Smallin
2016 – Tad Schmidt
2017 – Mike Green
2018 – Scott Endersbe
2019 – Matt Smallin
2020 – Blake Wallstrum
2021 – Jeremiah Smith
2022 – Brady Stearns