Made the Cut: Friction Final 13
These 13 callers battled through a field of 46 qualified friction callers to make the finals of the Friction Division. The Friction championship will be held from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at the NWTF Convention and Sport Show in Nashville, inside the Davidson Ballroom at the Opryland Resort and Convention Center.
- Dustin Jones (Beaver, OH) – Prelims score: 361.5
The defending Friction Division champion receives an automatic spot in the finals and is allowed to call in the prelims if he/she so chooses. Jones won his first GNCC Friction title in 2025 after placing in the top five several times and also made the cut in the Senior Open finals in 2025.
2. Mitchell Johnson (Purlear, NC) – Prelims score: 375
A former Open champ in 2010, Johnston tied with Michael Strawn for the top preliminary score in Friction. He is a four-time GNCC title holder.
3. Michael Strawn (Aliceville, AL) – Prelims score: 375
The World Friction champion continues a strong run over the past few years.
4. Matt Van Cise (Brookville, PA) – Prelims score: 373.5
A 9-time GNCC Open champ and three-time Friction winner is back for another title that would tie him for most GNCC championships in history.
5. Josh Pruitt (Reidsville, NC) – Prelims score: 372
The former GNCC Gobbling Division champ is a consistent Friction Division challenger.
6. Zach Conaway (Guyton, GA) – Prelims score: 372
After finishing runner-up in the GNCC Friction Division a year ago, Conaway is close to winning his first title.
7. Jason Conrad (Union, MS) Prelim score: 371
Former World Friction champ, Conrad is a lifetime qualifier accustomed to being in the Friction finals at the GNCC.
8. Brett Ladeau (Hartland, VT) – Prelims score: 370.5
A longtime challenger at GNCCs, Ladeau is chasing his first GNCC title with several Friction finals appearances on his resume.
9. Jason Bryan (Ruffin, SC) – Prelims score: 369.5
The South Carolina friction champ will make a run at the national title.
10. Brad Roberts (Knoxville, TN) – Prelims score: 369
With multiple Friction finals appearances in recent years, Roberts will look to finally push through to win the Grand National prize.
11. Dylan Bearden (Reidsville, NC) – Prelims score: 368
The 2024 GNCC Friction champion is chasing his second title as a staple in the finals.
12. Larry Nettles (Parks Hill, MO) – Prelims score: 367.5
A relative newcomer to the GNCCs, Nettles surprised many with a stellar run on the Grand Nationals stage to make the final 13 cut.
13. Tyler Presley (Front Royal, VA) – Prelims score: 367.5
After back-to-back Team Air and Friction titles with his brother, Presley is chasing a Friction GNCC win.