Hempfield’s Amelia Droste wins WPIBL girls singles bowling title in thrilling final

By: Triblive
Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 7:22 PM

In a dramatic showdown between two bowlers on top of their games, Hempfield senior Amelia Droste defeated Plum sophomore Brooklynn Then, 239-237, in the finals of the WPIBL girls singles championships Thursday at AMF Mt. Lebanon.

Droste and Then were the top two bowlers in qualifying and turned in strong semifinal performances to meet in the championship match. When they did, Droste needed strikes on her first two balls in the 10th frame to win, and she delivered just that, adding a 9 on the last ball for the final margin of victory.

Droste led qualifying with consistent games of 224, 225 and 220 for a 669 series. Then was right behind with a 667 series and a 244 high game.

Shenango’s Cassie Tucker (663), Ellwood City’s Charlotte Eller (654), Freeport’s Kylie McConahy (641) and Plum’s Addison Then (625) rounded out the group of six bowlers who advanced to the stepladder finals.

In the quarterfinals, Eller defeated McConahy, 256-181, and Tucker topped Addison Then, 244-173, setting up tough tests for the top two seeds in the semifinals.

Droste beat Eller, 223-182, and Brooklynn Then downed Tucker, 224-214.

Addison Then had the day’s high game with a 267 in qualifying.

The top 40 finishers advanced to the regional tournament.

The regional tournament starts with the boys team event Feb. 27, followed by the boys and girls singles Feb. 28 and girls team March 1.