BUTLER TWP — Butler High School bowling has become an annual fixture at the state championships.

The pressure of living up to such expectations has not bothered this year's crop of Golden Tornado bowlers.

In fact, they embrace it.

“It's certainly not something we shy away from,” Butler coach Bob Cupp said. “This program has won a state championship and has enjoyed great success since its inception.

“We talk about it with the kids all the time. You have a chance to put your name on the wall at Family Bowlaway as part of a championship performance.”

Butler's girls will be among the 12 teams competing for the state championship Saturday at Dutch Lanes in Ephrata. Ashley McCue and Mercedes Belch will be competing in the state's singles championship Friday, as will the Tornado's Nick Huff on the boys side.

McCue placed fifth in girls singles at the state meet last season while Huff finished 14th among the boys.

“It's an advantage having been through it before,” Cupp said of the state tournament. “You understand the situation and the atmosphere.”

Butler's girls team, qualified for the state tourney by placing sixth at the regional championships. The Tornado narrowly lost in stepladder play to McDowell, which went on to win the regional.

Butler does not have a senior in its starting lineup, “but these girls have learned they're among the best teams in the state,” Cupp said.

Four of the Tornado's starters ranked among the top seven in average in the WPIBL's North Division. Mercedes Belch led the division with a 180 average. Nicole Nebel was second with a 178, McCue fifth at 170, Jordyn Graham seventh at 164. Abby Kile rounds out the Butler starters with a 149.

Graham is a sophomore. The other four are juniors.

“It's been a pleasure watching them grow as a team,” Cupp said. “Learning different shots, lane conditions, adjustments, playing the lanes smart ... They've worked hard at it.

“We didn't name a team captain this year. We didn't need one. I feel like all of these girls are leaders.”

They are all capable of turning in a big day or game as well. Nebel's high game this season is a 235. Belch has rolled a 223, Graham a 222, Kile a 221 and McCue a 211.

“These girls learned to forget about a bad shot — even a bad game — during the postseason tournaments because everyone else is adapting to a more difficult shot on the lanes, too,” Cupp said.

“Now they don't have to qualify for anything anymore. They're there. Just enjoy the moment and relax. There's nothing left to lose. Just go out and try to win.”

Huff led the boys North Division this year with a 196 average, including a high game of 278.

“Nick's got game,” Cupp said. “He just needs to slow the process down a little bit, take it shot by shot.”

Since Butler's girls won the state title in 2013, theTornado finished sixth in the state in 2014, 10th both of the past two years.

“When we walk into a bowling house for competition with the name Butler on the back of our shirts, these kids have come to know they are representing something very positive,” Cupp said. “They're proud of that.”