Ranked Recap: Langford Wins Third in a Row
By Matt Stevens
King in the North. King of the North. Whatever the nickname of Jarrod Langford, the last three years has proved he is the undisputed King of Kegel.
Langford has now won the last three Kegel QLD Open events, and with this win, four Kegel QLD open titles. More than anyone in the history of the event. Each victory is different, but the event remains one of his favourites.
“Every victory is sweet, but being in my home state and also being the first Adult National Ranked Event that I ever won when I was 17 always makes it special to win this event”.
This year’s event was a celebration. A time to finally see inter-state friends and competitors. An opportunity that has been unattainable since this time last year when the event ran due to COVID-19.
“It was incredible to see all the familiar faces from around the country and some new ones. Being able to compete and chat with everybody again helped me after the long break” explained Langford.
The forced break has been challenging yet provided Langford with a chance to reset.
“It was definitely a struggle not being able to bowl or compete. The forced break also allowed me a refocusing time where I could allow myself to come back into bowling fresh. Saying that, I missed dearly being able to compete”.
The state and national representative put on a dominant performance on his way to a third straight Kegel QLD Open win at Caboolture Bowl and Mini golf on the weekend.
Langford stormed out of the blocks in qualifying. The Burdekin based bowler posted a 2,924 total for his twelve qualifying games. An incredible average of 243.7, a staggering 188 pins more than the second-highest qualifier.
When asked what the secret is to his success at Kegel, the answer remained honest and straightforward.
“No real secret. It’s just hard work and believing in yourself. Also, Caboolture Bowl is probably my home away from home, so it definitely helps”.
Langford would remain up the top of the standings throughout the first three stages, handing him the number one seed heading into the top eight ‘footy finals’ format.
His first opponent was fellow NTS member Matthew Krinis from South Australia. Langford quickly shut the door on any hope the South Australian could surprise by notching up a perfect 300 game, his 40th time achieving the milestone. Coincidently, Krinis was the other bowler who could boast about notching up a 300 at the event after achieving a perfect game in qualifying.
His next opponent was Jordan Dinham. The talented bowler from New South Wales provided a fight before going down 239-191. Langford was again set to bowl for his fourth Kegel QLD Open title.
His opponent, Blake Walsh. At only 15 years old, the ‘wonderkid’ from Ballina managed to defy the odds by making it to the final game. His performance in an Open division tournament prompting rave reviews online from fellow competitors, including the King in the North.
“Blake Walsh is for his age the best bowler I have ever seen. The kid has all the potential in the world, and I honestly think the sky is the limit for him’ stated Langford.
Langford would eventually pull away from the youngster 216-172, cementing Langford as the Kegel QLD Open champion for 2021.
One open division event down. Four to go.
The Kegel champion aims to bowl as many ranked events as possible in 2021 whilst continuing his third year in his teaching degree.
The next nationally ranked event in the open division is the Australian Open. The AO will be held concurrently with the VIC150 at ZONE BOWLING Keon Park from the 2nd – 4th April 2021. For more information as it is received click here.
Credit to Lyn Fletcher for providing the beautiful images of the weekend. Thank you Lyn for your ongoing assistance!
