Burrell’s Leah McCandless wins regional bowling title the hard way

By: Triblive
Friday, March 8, 2024 | 6:32 PM

By the narrowest of margins – a single pin in a five-game qualifying series – Burrell senior Leah McCandless advanced to the step-ladder finals at the Western PA Regional girls singles bowling tournament Friday at AMF Noble Manor Lanes.

That was the only break she needed. She went on to win the whole thing.

McCandless strung together four straight games in the 200s in the finals and defeated Conneaut Area’s Lexi Potts in the championship match, 211-182, to claim the title.

In qualifying, McCandless bowled a 862 series with no game better than a 190. She finished one pin ahead of Hempfield’s Ashley Bensur to advance to the step-ladder finals.

The first round of the finals consists of two four-bowler matches that include seeds five through 12.

McCandless struck out in the 10th frame to finish with a 215 and defeat Latrobe’s Vanessa McMichael (193), Apollo-Ridge’s Mia Ament (178) and Hempfield’s Amelia Droste (175).

She defeated Deer Lakes’ Tia Germanich in the quarterfinals, 215-193, and Plum’s Addison Then in the semifinals, 233-161, to reach the championship match.

The other finalist also advanced the hard way. Potts was 10th in qualifying. She won her four-way first-round match with a 247, finishing ahead of Conneaut teammate Victoria Medrick (200), Plum’s Mareana Pilyih (196) and McDowell’s Taylor Kretz (182).

Potts beat Cranberry’s Aubrey Stewart in the quarterfinals, 190-156, and Freeport’s Mackensie Livingston in the semifinals, 172-157.

Then was the top bowler in qualifying with a 966 series. Livingston was second with a 926.

Oil City’s Madison Hudson had the high game in qualifying with a 247. Droste and McMichael each threw a 222.

The state tournament is March 15-16 at Leisure Lanes in Lancaster.

The Western PA Regional girls team tournament is Saturday at AMF Noble Manor.