Gianna Brandolino Makes History at 2024 PBA LBC National Championship Clash

Teenage Sensation Outlasts Pros to Claim Victory and $60,000 Scholarship

Gianna Brandolino, a 17-year-old rising star from Illinois, has etched her name in bowling history by winning the 2024 PBA LBC National Championship Clash. Competing against some of the best in the sport, she emerged victorious in the prestigious one-ball, roll-off eliminator format held at Bayside Bowl in Portland, Maine. Her triumph earned her the coveted Duke trophy and a $60,000 SMART scholarship.

A Bold Decision That Paid Off

Earlier this year, Brandolino finished as the runner-up in the PBA Junior Girls National Championship. She had the option to compete in the Girls Jr. Handicap division of the PBA LBC National Championships but chose a different path. Instead, she challenged herself in the Women’s Classic division, facing off against seasoned professionals like Liz Johnson, Danielle McEwan, Verity Crawley, and Stephanie Zavala.

“It would be more beneficial to learn and grow competing against the women instead of the girls,” Brandolino explained. “I wanted to throw myself out there, do what I do, and hope for the best.”

Her gamble paid off as she secured a spot in the Clash by finishing as the second-highest qualifier in the division, with a six-game total score of 1,396.

Facing a PBA Champion in the Final Round

Brandolino’s journey to the title was nothing short of remarkable. After battling through multiple elimination rounds, she found herself in the final against Kris Prather, a two-time major champion and six-time PBA Tour titleist.

“It came down to me and him, and I thought, ‘Uh oh,’” she admitted. “I knew I could do it, but I might need a little help. And he gave me that little bit of help.”

Prather, who managed just seven pins in the final round, later praised Brandolino’s composure under pressure.

“Her calmness made me a little nervous,” Prather said. “She obviously feels no pressure. She has tons of experience for her age… I was like, ‘Man, this girl is not going away. This is wild.’”

A Strategy for Success

Brandolino’s victory was no fluke—she meticulously prepared for the event’s unique format. She practiced taking single shots in 30-minute intervals to simulate the tournament’s pacing. Additionally, she took notes between shots to track lane conditions and adjust her strategy.

“You’re sitting there for 20 minutes, your adrenaline is high, so you’re going to forget things,” she said. “I wrote down where I was standing each time and whether I needed to make a move or not.”

Her methodical approach paid off as she struck on eight of her 12 shots, including an impressive streak of eight strikes in nine attempts between Rounds 2 and 10.

The Crowd and the Moment

In the aftermath of her win, Brandolino was most impressed by the energy of the crowd at Bayside Bowl.

“They had never seen me before, but they still treated me like one of their own,” she said.

Prather took second place, earning $10,000, while David “Boog” Krol finished third. PBA Hall of Famer Lennie Boresch Jr. secured fourth place in an inspiring performance, competing despite undergoing chemotherapy for small cell carcinoma and kidney failure.

Looking Ahead to 2025

The next edition of the PBA LBC National Championships will return to Bowlero Mount Prospect in the Chicago area. Priority registration is now open for PBA LBC members, PBA members, and past participants, with general registration beginning on December 1, 2024. The event will take place on weekends from May 31 through July 13, 2025.

Brandolino’s victory marks a defining moment in her young career, and if her performance in the Clash is any indication, the bowling world should prepare for her continued dominance.