A Historic Win for Hayden Stippich

Hayden Stippich and Killian Kilpatrick made history on January 25 by confirming a bowling prophecy that had been set years ago. Mike Machuga, who had previously won the Times-News Open for the sixth time, had hinted at the possibility of younger talent taking over. Now, with Stippich and Kilpatrick stepping into the spotlight, the legacy of the tournament continues to evolve.

Machuga, now 49, had mentioned that his window for further victories was closing due to the emergence of more talented and younger players. While he didn’t name Stippich or Kilpatrick directly, their accomplishments spoke volumes. Stippich, about to begin his second season on the PBA Tour, joined Kilpatrick as champions of the 63-year-old tournament. The 2019 Harbor Creek graduate secured first place at Eastland Bowl, finishing just four pins ahead of the 2020 McDowell graduate.

“This is awesome,” Stippich said. “I don’t know when I’ll get to bowl in this again, so it felt pretty good to come back here and get my name on the list (of titlists). Don’t know when I’ll get (to enter it) again.”

A Narrow Victory

Kilpatrick, the 2024 Times-News winner, defeated Stippich 258-227 in their first-place position round match. However, that wasn’t enough to overcome Stippich’s 65-pin advantage going into the final round. Stippich won with a 16-round pinfall of 4,370 to Kilpatrick’s 4,366. Theirs was the second smallest margin-of-victory for that number of games, according to records compiled by tournament director Dave Hewett.

The late Pat Malone holds the record for the smallest margin-of-victory, having beaten Tom Lytle Jr. 4,111 to 4,110 in the 2005 Times-News Open title.

Despite winning two head-to-head matches during the tournament, Kilpatrick finished second. He said, “I decided before the final that I wasn’t going to pay attention to a single thing (Stippich) did. Just try to bowl the best game I could. I did most of what I needed to do. It just wasn’t enough.”

Taylor Kretz Makes Her Mark

Taylor Kretz, the lone female among the tournament’s 16 finalists, placed eighth with a pinfall of 3,651. She went 8-8 against her all-male competition. “These guys are hard to bowl against,” she said, “but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Kretz, a Fairview senior competing with McDowell’s co-op girls bowling program, recently signed a national letter of intent with the University of Nebraska. She will compete with its NCAA Division I program, which is to bowling what Penn State University is to men’s wrestling: elite.

Kretz also faced two former Cornhuskers, Mike Shady and Machuga, during match play. She lost to Shady 235-215 but beat Machuga 250-185. “Going up against them makes anybody better,” she said. “It takes a lot of discipline, patience and understanding (to play them).”

Kretz spoke near the same Eastland lanes where she recorded a 300 on January 14. Her latest perfect game was part of a 766 series she recorded during the Trojans’ Metro League victory vs. Erie High.

Other Notable Performances

Dave Warren placed 12th overall after his 33rd tournament appearance. He went 6-10 in match play with a pinfall of 3,508. Those updated statistics almost didn’t happen for Warren, who had a business trip to Florida previously scheduled for the weekend.

“I own a car dealership,” he said, “and we sponsor a World of Outlaws car that competed in the opening weekend of racing at dirt track in (Volusia County). They wanted me to be there, so I flew down (Jan. 22) and got back (Jan. 24). I ground through the first few rounds (of Jan. 24 match play) but still threw the ball well, so I’m not too disappointed.”

Championship Results

Here are the championship results for the 63rd annual Times-News Open after the final eight rounds of match play at Eastland Bowl:

1. Hayden Stippich – 14-2 match play record and 4,370 pinfall
2. Killian Kilpatrick – 14-2 and 4,366
3. Jeff Prue – 11-5 and 3,874
4. Nick Kightlinger – 8-8 and 3,744
5. T.J. Mitchell – 8-8 and 3,732
6. Mike Shady – 8-8 and 3,713
7. Mike Machuga – 8-8 and 3,654
8. Taylor Kretz – 8-8 and 3,651
9. D.J. Thompson – 6-10 and 3,605
10. (tie) Dalton Kaliszewski – 7-9 and Brandon Wachob – 8-8 at 3,536
11. Dave Warren – 6-10 and 3,508
12. Rodrick Baird – 7-9 and 3,466
13. Cody Jacobs – 6-10 and 3,423
14. Ryan Park – 5-11 and 3,330
15. Alex Ulrich – 4-12 and 3,245