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But Kevin Boller of Brown City, who bowls out of Lexington's Lakeview Lanes, prevailed to do just that Saturday night. Boller worked his way through a tough field of competitors to win the men's championship in the 27th Annual Bowler of the Year Tournament. The event was hosted by Liberty Lanes in Sandusky and sponsored by the Sanilac County News.

Boller, made his first-ever appearance into field of 16 for bracket playoffs by nailing down the 14th seed behind a 675 qualifying series. After impressive wins in the round of 16, the quarters and semis, he defeated Chris Hubbard, 183-158, in the title match. Throwing just two strikes in the final game, Boller trailed Hubbard early. Hubbard had three strikes and an open in the first four frames. Three mores open followed Hubbard, and Boller , who had seven - nine pin counts, converted spares to walk away a champion.

Strikes, however, were abundant for Boller in his first three playoff matches. In the round of 16, he knocked off Paul Faszczewski, two-time men's champion, 224-202. In the quarterfinals, Boller slipped past Chris Ball, a member of the MSU men's team, 231-220. Then, in the semis he powered a 257 game to turn back newcomer Mike Stauffer, who rolled a 215.

Six 700 series were fired by the men in the qualifying shifts, led by Richard Lewis's 792 (279-266-247). Trever Campbell earned the No. 2 seed with a 758 (267-246-245).

Hubbard, who bowls out of Shore Lanes in Lexington, moved to the finals by eliminating Jeff Beaver, 2004 champ, 224-194, in the first round; then stopping Campbell, 256-225, in the quarterfinals; and rolling by Dave Rich, 220-170, in the semis.

Stauffer captured the 16th seed, to make his first appearance in the playoffs, by topping Robert Cramer in a two-frame roll-off. The two both shot series of 671 in the qualifying shifts.

John Milletics, the Mid Thumb Hall of Famer, was the only other past B.O.Y. champion to reach the bracket play. Milletics earned a seventh seed with a 696 series.

The men's field reached 130 bowlers this year. There were a total of 39 series that were bowled that surpassed 640 in the two qualifying shifts.