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CORNEAU CLAIMS FIRST NEBA TITLE AT KR STRIKEFORCE NON-CHAMPIONS EVENT
KR Strikeforce Non-Champions Singles
Bowlero Worcester – April 11–12, 2026
Event #1060
162 Entries | 40 Match Play Finalists
Pattern: 2025 Youth Open Championships (41’, 27.65 mL, 5.24:1 / 6.47:1)

The second half of NEBA’s dual-event weekend at Bowlero Worcester brought a full field of 162 entries for Event #1060, the KR Strikeforce Non-Champions Singles, a tournament designed to showcase rising talent and crown a brand new champion.

Contested on the 41-foot 2025 Youth Open Championships pattern, the event provided a scoring pace that showed clear potential for high scores, but punished those who failed to match up as transition developed.

With 40 players advancing into match play, and the top 24 qualifiers earning a first-round bye into the Round of 32, the bracket featured a mix of emerging competitors, youth standouts, and experienced NEBA members still chasing their first title.

At the end of the weekend, Donie Corneau broke through to capture his first NEBA title.

MATCH PLAY BREAKDOWN

40 bowlers advanced into the single-elimination bracket, with the top 24 receiving a first-round bye.

Donie Corneau’s Road to the Championship:
Round of 32: def. Frank Bachard Jr., 193-182
Round of 16: def. Josh Palrao, 216-211
Quarterfinals: def. Tyler Inthanongxay, 257-221
Semifinals: def. Brandon Whitney, 243-216
Championship Match: def. Justin Veal, 256-232

Corneau showed consistency and control throughout match play, taking advantage of the bye and executing in key moments.

Justin Veal’s run to the finals included a 299 game in the semifinals.

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH RECAP

The championship match guaranteed a first-time NEBA champion. Justin Veal started strong with an opening strike, followed by a key break in the third frame that helped him build momentum into the front six.

Corneau stayed close, matching strikes through the middle frames. The turning point came in the seventh frame when Veal left a 5-7 split, opening the door.

Corneau took advantage, striking in the seventh to take the lead. He remained composed, converting a key spare in the eighth and adding strikes in the ninth and tenth to secure the win.

With the victory, Corneau earns his first NEBA title.

TOP PAYOUTS

1st – Donie Corneau: $1,000 + $125 TOC Entry
2nd – Justin Veal: $700
T-3rd – Brandon Whitney and Andrew Schilkowski: $525 each

HIGH SCORES AND NOTABLES

High Qualifier: Josh Schneidman – 1208

Perfect Games (300):
Josh Schneidman

Michael Kos

Storm / Roto Grip / 900 Global Ball Winners:
Rich Goetz – 1063
Jon Lundie – Raffle

High Side Cut Out of the Money:
Tim Elsass – 1053

THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS

NEBA thanks KR Strikeforce for sponsoring the event and adding $500 to the prize fund.

Thanks to Eric Mahoney and the staff at Bowlero Worcester for hosting the dual-event weekend.

Thanks to Storm, Roto Grip, and 900 Global for their continued support.

ON DECK: BUDDIES PRO SHOP OPEN

Nutmeg Bowl – Fairfield, CT
April 25–26, 2026

$1,000 Added to Main Prize Fund
$1,250 Added to Youth Prize Fund

KEEP UP WITH NEBA

BowlNEBA.com/Tournaments
BowlNEBA.com/Stats
BowlNEBA.com/History/Champions

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