Bella Love’s Junior Gold Journey Comes to a Close

Bella Love’s Junior Gold Journey Comes to a Close

What a week it’s been at Junior Gold.

Bella Love made it all the way to the top 16 in her first-ever Advancers Round in the U18 division, and we couldn’t be more proud of her fight, her composure, and her heart.

In her opening match against the number two seed, Bella came out strong in Game 1 with a 191. She opened with an 8-10 split, then bounced back with a strike. In the third frame, she left a tricky 1-2-8 and picked up the 1-2, just missing the 8. After that, she threw a double, followed by an 8-spare. A tough 2-8-10 split cost her another open, but she kept grinding. After a 9-spare in the eighth, she dialed in and struck out in the 9th and 10th for a clutch finish.

Trailing by 21 pins going into Game 2, Bella opened with a strike and a stone-9 spare—just missing what could’ve been a front four. She followed with a triple, but a 2-4-8 in the sixth left the 8 behind again. From there, she went strike, strike, strike—and then 9-spare in the tenth. Needing a strike on the fill ball to force a tie, Bella stepped up and delivered. Final tally: 415–415. A tie.

That meant a one-ball roll-off. Her opponent struck. Bella struck. Her opponent struck again. Bella matched it. Another pair of strikes. On the third roll, her opponent struck again. Bella delivered a great shot, but the messenger just missed the 10-pin—flying behind it and leaving it standing. A heartbreaking finish, sending Bella into the elimination bracket.

But she didn’t fold. She battled.

In her next match, Game 1 started with promise but included three tough splits: a 7-10, a 2-4-10, and a 2-8-10—all of which left her chasing 25 pins after a 171. Then came Game 2, and Bella came alive.

Front three. A clean spare in the fourth after a 7-pin that easily could have been a strike. Then a double. In the seventh, she left a 10-pin on what looked like another strike, but she composed herself and closed it out strong. Bella struck out from there to finish with a 258.

She lost the match by just four pins.

But what defined her week wasn’t just the scores. It was the spirit.

Bella showed what true character looks like. She high-fived her competitors, stayed in the moment, and radiated joy and gratitude—no matter the result. She was the Bella we know and love: resilient, kind, and full of heart.

This chapter at Junior Gold may be over, but what she gained will last far beyond the lanes. Her sportsmanship. Her composure under pressure. Her unwavering smile.

We are beyond proud of her effort, her performance, and most of all, who she is becoming. What a beautiful finish to an unforgettable run.

Well done, Bella Love. You are a champion in every way.