As Valentine's week of Spring 2025 unfolded, the lanes became a stage for passion, heartbreak, and the occasional love-hate relationship with the pins. Some teams rose to new heights, their spirits soaring like lovers in a ballroom dance, while others tumbled, left clutching the shattered pieces of their dreams like a poet mourning lost love. JoAnne Barber dazzled with this week's high game (139) and series (361) for the women, while the ever-charming Nick Kinney swept the men’s high game with a 216, and the illustrious AJ Hofmann stole hearts with a high series of 567. And now, the Tournament of Champions divisions are set—one-on-one duels filled with fierce competition and maybe, just maybe, a touch of romance. Read on for a tale of love, loss, and the pursuit of bowling glory.

First up, on lanes 1 & 2: In a showdown that could have been plucked straight from a Harlequin Romance novel—where one side longs for victory and the other cruelly denies them—Bowls Deep found themselves utterly smitten with the idea of triumph. But alas, love is not always reciprocated, and the heartless Squid Row mercilessly crushed their affections. Despite the gallant efforts of #1 Power Ranked and #1 Head-to-Head Ian Estey, whose mesmerizing 554 series shone like a beacon of hope, DEEEEEEP could only claim a single win. Meanwhile, Squid’s very own Chris Windham, fueled by a 522 series, led his team in a romantic waltz to three thrilling victories, leaving Bowls Deep heartbroken in 6th place while Squid Row ascended, love-struck by their new 1st-place standing.

On lanes 3 & 4: The sparks were flying, but only one team left the lanes feeling like they had just been struck by Cupid’s arrow. wooed FILPB with a performance that was nothing short of poetry. AJ Hofmann, the dashing hero of the night, delivered a breathtaking 567 series, sweeping his team, Team Name Loading, into the throes of three glorious wins. Meanwhile, Aaron Barber valiantly tried to keep Eff It’s dreams alive with a respectable 534 series, but it wasn’t enough to prevent them from slipping down a rung on the ladder of love. Team Name Loading stays steady in 3rd place, while Eff It takes a heart-wrenching tumble to 2nd.

Kittens and Gutters - a match made for the ages

Finally, down on lanes 5 & 6: If love is a battlefield, then Gutterly Hopeless and FFK found themselves in a passionate duel, neither willing to let the other walk away with all the glory. With Jeremy Varnell leading the charge with a captivating 454 series, Hopeless fought tooth and nail to split the series with Kittens. Across the way, Dustin Schmeltz, though slightly off his game with a 510 series, still managed to rally his team, supported by the indomitable Most Valuable Bowler Nathan Burrows, to an equal share of the night’s triumphs. And so, like star-crossed lovers bound by fate, the teams remain entwined in their standings—Gutterly Hopeless in 5th, Kittens in 4th—locked in an embrace of competition, waiting for the moment when one can truly rise above.

As the Valentine’s Day spirit lingers over the lanes, some bowlers are basking in the glow of victory, while others are left longing for another chance at redemption. But one thing is certain—love and competition make for one unforgettable night.

Bowlers who made more intimate connections with each other at The 200 Club include: Aaron Barber (201), AJ Hofmann (201,207), Ian Estey (203), Matthew Taylor (201), and Nick Kinney (216)

The 567 rolled by AJ Hofmann is this season's new high series for men.

NEXT WEEK:

• First, on lanes 1&2, 3rd-place will challenge 5th-place Gutterly Hopeless (hcp 69). Team Name Loading is expected to roll a little low and lose the series but avoid getting swept; while Hopeless are forecast to hold steady as they enjoy their victories.
• Moving to lanes 3&4, 4th-place Flamboyant Fluffy Kittens (hcp 88) will tussle with 1st-place Squid Row. Fluffykins might maintain their current strength as they lose the series but avoid getting swept; while Squid ought to drop their average a bit even as they enjoy their victories.
• Finally, on lanes 5&6, 6th-place Bowls Deep (hcp 126) will hang out with 2nd-place FILPB. DEEEEEEP is predicted to maintain their current strength as they lose the series but avoid getting swept; while Eff It is anticipated to hold steady as they enjoy their victories.

^*(Remember, the predicted results above are based on mathematical extrapolations and can be changed by all sorts of factors. If you don't like how your team's results are predicted, you and your teammates have the power to prove the math wrong!)

THIS WEEK'S MVB Nathan Burrows Runner Up: (See Posting)	#1 POWER BOWLER Ian Estey Runner Up: AJ Hofmann	#1 H2H BOWLER Ian Estey Runner Up: Jeremy Varnell
FROM THE GUTTER (GUTTER QUOTE) "You going to a strip club after this?" Kenny, to Nathan Burrows, after Nathan asked if the bar could break a hundred.

Pos.	Team name	Record	Percent	Total Pins	Change
1	Squid Row	8-4	.667	5,925	+1
2	FILPB	8-4	.667	5,879	-1
3	(Team Name Loading)	8-4	.667	5,219	n/a
4	FFK	5-7	.417	4,933	n/a
5	Gutterly Hopeless	5-7	.417	4,422	n/a
6	Bowls Deep	2-10	.167	4,275	n/a