Quaker Valley bowler Palmer leading girls varsity West Division

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, January 4, 2019 | 7:06 PM

Quaker Valley bowler Leighanna Palmer had a rock-solid start to the season.

Palmer, a senior, led the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Bowling League girls varsity West Division with a 178.50 average in 12 games, close to 30 points ahead of second-place Jordyn Jacob of Moon (148.75 in eight games).

She had a high game of 225 and a high series of 598.

Palmer said she was slightly surprised because she did not know the competition.

“Leighanna is very competitive, although she doesn’t outwardly show it often,” Quaker Valley coach Greg Vecchi said. “I can tell she demands a lot from herself.

“She takes every shot seriously and always tries her hardest.”

Palmer has climbed since she was a freshman, going from 96th place at the 2016 WPIBL championship tournament to 38th last year.

She is determined to make the state championship for the first time.

“(I have) been going week to week,” she said.

Palmer stands out on a team that has only a handful of members.

The Quakers were 1-3 heading into their next match Jan. 4 against Nazareth Prep.

Vecchi said Palmer ranks with some of the school’s best bowlers.

“She practices often and comes from a bowling family,” he said.

Palmer, 18, a member of a Saturday league who lives in Sewickley, began bowling with her grandparents when she was 6 years old.

“I got to see my cousins,” she said.

She hopes to continue her career in college.

Karen Kadilak is a freelance writer.

Tags: Quaker Valley