In the heart of Round 2, time seemed to stand still around Stern’s 2023 release, Venom (Pro). The four-player group locked horns in what would become a grueling 66-minute marathon, marking the longest single game of the entire tournament. Players traded blows on the playfield, navigating the reversed flippers of the Grendel fight and methodically locking balls from the right flipper to start Carnage during multiball.
Ashley Morgan eventually emerged victorious from the exhausting bout, securing five crucial points to land in a tenth-place tie for the evening. Rach Duran fought her way to second in the match, followed by Lindsey Brown and Kira Wulf. This singular battle of endurance demanded everything from the competitors, proving that physical stamina is just as vital as flipper accuracy.
This marathon matchup perfectly encapsulated the competitive context of the Westy Colfax Queens: 2026 Summer Season #1 event. Featuring a 17-player draw, the field embodied the familiar, grinding rhythm of a local weekly gathering. With ten IFPA-ranked competitors and seven unranked contenders battling it out, the tournament showcased the lifeblood of competitive pinball, where seasoned veterans and eager newcomers clash over a shared love of the silver ball.
The Ripple Effect of the Venom Marathon
The waves from that monumental Venom battle were felt across the final podium standings. Rach Duran’s hard-fought second-place finish in that 66-minute epic secured her three points, heavily contributing to her overall second-place finish in the tournament. Duran, an experienced player with seven years of active tournament play under her belt, showcased incredible resilience. She matched her Round 1 top group placement with a strong Round 2 showing, validating her #59892 global rank.
Meanwhile, Lindsey Brown’s third-place finish in the Venom game left her hungry for more. Brown, currently sitting at IFPA rank 7270, ultimately claimed seventh place overall for the evening. She had previously flexed her muscle in Round 1 on Bally’s 1992 classic, Creature from the Black Lagoon. In that closely matched 17-minute game, Brown snagged first place over the formidable Deanna Scalf. Brown masterfully utilized the Kiss letters skill shot and relentlessly chased the Move Your Car sequences for quick points, demonstrating her deep knowledge of the nostalgic table.
Scalf and Mooney Clash on KISS
Deanna Scalf, the tournament organizer and the strongest ranked player in the field at IFPA #3367, didn’t let her early Creature stumble dictate her night. The seasoned competitor from Arvada, Colorado, entered Round 2 looking for pure redemption. Scalf has already amassed 9.65 WPPR points over six events this season, cementing her intense presence in the state rankings. She found her vengeance on Stern’s 2015 KISS (Pro), facing off against top finishers Mila Carabajal and Karen Mooney.
The 18-minute showdown on KISS was a masterclass in risk management and multiball execution. The group utilized short plunges to feed the flippers, recklessly targeting the Demon locks while the ball save was still active. Scalf executed the strategy flawlessly to take first place and five points for the round. She was followed by Carabajal in second, while Mooney took third.
This outcome on KISS wasn’t entirely surprising for those following the players’ competitive histories across the region. Scalf currently holds a commanding, undefeated 3-0 head-to-head record against Mooney across their recorded careers. Despite the third-place finish on KISS, Mooney’s stellar Round 1 performance ensured she still walked away tied with Scalf and Kyri Baker for third place overall.
Raisler’s Quiet and Unrelenting Sweep
While marathons were fought and established rivalries were tested, Kelli Raisler methodically dismantled the rest of the competition. Raisler, representing Denver and ranked #8610 globally, played a virtually flawless tournament to capture the ultimate top spot. They put up the top score on a staggering five of the six machines they played, executing a dominant arena sweep that left absolutely no room for challengers.
Raisler’s path to victory was paved with consistent execution and an unshakeable focus under pressure. They effortlessly navigated the tournament’s two rounds, locking in first-place group finishes back-to-back. This dominant showing is a massive boost for Raisler, who currently holds 8.37 WPPR points across eight events this season. Their performance was a clinic in adaptability, conquering completely different playfield layouts and rule sets while the rest of the 17-player field violently battled for the remaining scraps of points.
The Pulse of the Westminster Weekly
The backdrop for this fierce mid-week showdown was The 1up Arcade Bar in Westminster, Colorado. The venue provides a pristine and nostalgic atmosphere, blending modern Stern machines with well-maintained, coin-operated classics. Players dropped traditional tokens into the slots, surrounded by the glow of 38 distinct machines that spanned decades of pinball history. The clean, energetic environment, paired with an extensive drink menu, created the perfect social yet highly competitive battleground for the evening.
With an average national rank of 20005 among the ranked players and six competitors actively chasing points in the Colorado NACS standings, the tension in the room was palpable. The state’s average NACS rank for participants hovered around a highly competitive 186, proving that local league nights are far from a casual affair. It’s exactly these weeknight grinds that forge the champions of tomorrow and solidify the legacies of local heroes.
When the final flippers fell silent and the match results were officially tallied, the Westy Colfax Queens Summer Opener proved why the local weekly tournament remains the absolute beating heart of competitive pinball. A field of 17 players gathered not for grand national glory, but for the fundamental joy and ruthless challenge of the standard competitive draw. It’s in these familiar rhythms, among the flashing lights and ringing bells, that the true spirit of the sport thrives week after week.
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