Elgin Cross-Town Classic begins its fourth year this week
The Elgin Cross-Town Classic continues this year when top players from Bowlway Lanes face off against the best shooters from Elgin Lanes. Bowlway hopes to take home its fourth consecutive Mayor's Cup. The event is free and open to the public.
The first three matches will be held on Saturday, March 19 at Elgin Lanes, 401 Shepard Drive, starting at noon. The following week on Saturday, March 26, Bowlway Lanes, 810 Villa St., will host the next three matches, starting at 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 challenges matches. Last year, Bowlway Lanes completed a three-peat by defeating Elgin Lanes by just a few pins. Elgin has yet to claim the Mayor's Cup, but this year they plan on strengthening their team with some new talent.
Event coordinator Sean Hargadon expects Elgin Lanes to come out fighting again this year. "Last year, Elgin got out to an early lead in the tournament and it looked like they were finally going to win it all," he said. "But Bowlway came back and just barely took the title. Elgin is led by their young player Drew Perly, who just keeps getting better every year, setting scoring records, and practically shooting well wherever he is. They also added a formidable player in Dan Svehla last year, so you never know what might happen."
Bowlway Lanes returns this year with Wayne Curley (212 average), Dan Martin (209) and Mark Toppell (209) along with newcomers Eddie Czlapinski (215) and Chris Geimer (206). Elgin Lanes returns with Drew Perly (219) and Dan Svehla (200), along with newcomers Keith Davis (208), Tom Svehla (220) and Rusty Zwart (204).
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 best 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.
The Elgin Cross-Town Classic IV will be held at noon Saturday, March 19, at Elgin Lanes, 401 Shepard Drive. The following week on Saturday, March 26, Bowlway Lanes at 810 Villa St. will host the next three matches, starting at noon. The event is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by Bowlway Lanes, Elgin Lanes, Elgin Today, and madwill creative.