Nolan Liem put on an absolute clinic at the Wednesday Wizard 2X Series #2 – Summer 2026 tournament, leaving no doubt about who controlled the game. Nolan Liem topped the field on most machines played — a dominant night on the floor that highlighted his sharp mechanics and unflappable focus. He put up the top score on four of the five machines he played on the way to first place, setting an intimidating pace early on.
The event unfolded on June 10, 2026, at the Superelectric Pinball Parlor in Cleveland, Ohio. Organized by John Delzoppo, the format featured four-player group match play over five rounds, awarding points by finishing position. Players escaped the humid 83-degree weather into the welcoming atmosphere of the bar, known among patrons for its well-maintained machines, friendly bartenders, and excellent drinks. The venue provided an energetic backdrop with 16 unique machines, blending top-tier competitive play with a laid-back social vibe.
A Field Stacked with Rising Talent
The tournament attracted a robust mix of local regulars and highly ranked national competitors. Among the 56 total participants, 53 were IFPA-ranked, featuring an average national rank of #7592. IFPA #21 Galvin Morgan is the highest-ranked player in tonight’s field. He in a genuine meteoric season — now IFPA #21, looking to cement his status as a top-tier contender.
Ohio’s state-level talent was also on full display, bringing the familiar rhythm of a weekly league night to the 50 state-ranked participants. Ethan Smilg arrived with incredible momentum, riding a recent hot streak — 3 top-3 finishes in the last 5 events. Other players have also been climbing the ranks, such as Tim Breidenstein, who is on the climb this season — IFPA #284. JD Chips and Seth Hogue brought their own momentum, both on a genuine upward trajectory this season — now IFPA #2,312 and IFPA #11,880, respectively.
Finding the Rhythm on the Floor
Liem wasted no time setting the pace, opening his night on Stern’s 2026 release, Pokémon (Pro). The brand new playfield features a challenging skill shot, requiring players to bypass the left flipper entirely to lock in early points. In a 27-minute match, Liem navigated the layout flawlessly to secure five points with a first-place finish against Amy Virostko, Patrick Hirsch, and Porter McMillin. He carried that momentum into Round 2 on the classic Bally solid-state Paragon, besting runner-up Andrew Lee in a brisk 12-minute game.
By Round 3, Liem’s dominance was the talk of the room as he stepped up to Bram Stoker’s Dracula. He outlasted Ethan Smilg, Heather McMillin, and Austin Wade in an 18-minute battle to secure his third consecutive top score. Meanwhile, a notable matchup unfolded elsewhere on the floor on the 1980 Stern Electronics machine, Cheetah. David Greene managed to edge out the surging Tim Breidenstein, JD Chips, and Mark Biszantz by repeating precise shots to the upper lanes in a tight 12-minute game.
Navigating the Mid-Tournament Slog
Round 4 proved to be the only slight stumble in Liem’s otherwise pristine evening. Playing on White Water, he faced off against Tim Kerro, Jon Hrobat, and David Greene. Kerro found his flow on the ramps, hunting for the Insanity Falls jackpot, and took the win. This left Liem to settle for a second-place finish in the 22-minute match, though he remained firmly in control of the overall standings.
Michael Trombetta also had a blazing start to the evening, matching Liem with first-place finishes in his first three rounds. He dominated his groups on Bram Stoker’s Dracula, The Addams Family, and Hotdoggin’, solidifying his place near the top of the leaderboard. Trombetta made serious headway against his familiar opponents along the way, gaining ground to narrow Valencia Kelly’s head-to-head lead to 1-2. He also made it a closer contest against Mark Biszantz, who now leads their shared history by a slim 3-2 margin.
A Grueling Finale on Pokémon
The tension peaked in Round 5, delivering the most exhausting battle of the night on Pokémon (Pro). Top finishers Valencia Kelly and Andrew Lee shared a four-player game with Galvin Morgan and Seth Hogue that stretched into a grueling 43-minute marathon. The lengthy runtime tested everyone’s stamina and strategic decision-making, particularly as they aimed for the center standup targets to break the Team Rocket mech and trigger multiball. Kelly ultimately triumphed, securing five crucial points to lock in her spot at the top of the standings.
For Liem, the final round was an opportunity to definitively close the door on the competition. He faced off on Centaur against John Delzoppo, Tim Breidenstein, and Joshua Vardous. Returning to his winning ways, Liem executed perfectly to put up his fourth top score of the night during the 31-minute match, capturing first place overall. This closing performance allowed Liem to even his head-to-head record against Galvin Morgan, tying their rivalry at 2-2 in shared events. Andrew Lee secured second place, while Kelly, Michael Trombetta, and Morgan ended the night in a three-way tie for third.
Liem’s victory is his first win in his last five events, marking a triumphant return to the top of the podium. Currently ranked #16 in the Ohio NACS standings, this dominant performance adds vital WPPR points to his resume as he seeks to qualify for the state championship. If he can maintain this level of absolute machine mastery, the rest of the state will need to bring their absolute best to slow him down in the coming months.
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