BUTLER TWP — The rest of the section is in change mode.

Karns City and Knoch do not have a team this season. Mars and Seneca Valley have new coaches and Freeport has formed a team.

But when it comes to the Western Pa. Interscholastic Bowling League's North Section, Butler is the constant.

“We should have a strong team again this season,” fifth-year coach Bob Cupp said.

The Golden Tornado girls placed fourth in the region and 12th in the state last year. Butler had five bowlers finish among the top 21 individually in the region — and all five are back.

Senior Mercedes Belch had a 180 average a year ago while senior Nicole Nebel carried a 179, senior Ashley McCue a 170, junior Jordyn Graham 165 and senior Abby Kyle 149.

“Four freshmen are coming in and two of those could push the bottom part of that lineup,” Cupp said.

Reegan Malis and Autumn Reges are the freshmen pushing for starting varsity time. Rachael Blose and Lauren Bash are other freshmen who could make an impact.

The Tornado boys placed eighth in the region last season and return plenty of firepower in their own right. Chris Huff, a sophomore, averaged 192 as a freshman.

Senior Shawn Marcellus averaged 187 and junior Jordan Reges 177. Zac Twentier is a senior who averaged 181 last year, but had shoulder surgery and figures to miss much of this season.

“I expect our top bowlers on the boys side to continue improving,” Cupp said. “It wouldn't surprise me if Chris Huff averaged 200 and Shawn went over 190.

“Both of these teams have high expectations. Our goals never change. We want to go unbeaten in the section, either win the region or at at least qualify for the state tournament.”

Other top boys on the Butler roster include juniors Trey Barto, Cole Thrash and Brad Shirley, along with senior Ed Augustine. The latter averaged 172 last year.

Butler hosts Shaler Wednesday afternoon at Family Bowlaway to open the season. Other section openers are Freeport at North Allegheny, Mars at Seneca Valley.

Neil Morris has taken over as the Raiders' head coach. He has four boys and four girls on the roster.

The boys are senior Spencer Nehr, sophomores Erek Domowicz and Ryan Thoma, freshman Jason Hartenstein. The girls are senior Seirra Koerbel, junior Madison Ferringer, sophomores Kaelah Nelson and Brayann Criss.

Randy Herbe is the new coach at Mars. The Planets will begin the season with seven girls and as many as 10 boys.

“They needed a coach, I'm a bowler and I enjoy working with kids,” said Herbe, who competes in state and national tournaments. “We have some new bowlers, but I think we're going to have a good season. I'm excited about it.”

Boys on the Planet roaster include Nicholas Weber, Zach Brandl, Alex Ola, Sam Jockel, Matthew Patterson, Gunnar Watson, Kameron Angeletti, Caleb Isaac, Dylan Seebacher, Glay Goupil and Thomas Hayward.

Girls are Alaina Nagel, Paige Schindler, Isabelle Berkopec, Sydney Amell, Amanda Chizmar, Alayna Chizmar, Kate Mathieu and Gabby Baysek.

Seneca Valley and Mars will call Mars Lanes home. The new Freeport team will bowl out of Wildlife Lanes in Lower Burrell.

Tom Livingston is the Yellowjackets' first head coach.

“A bunch of junior bowlers from Wildlife Lanes who are freshmen this year had interest in starting up a team,” Livingston said. “I'm more than willing to come on board and help get it going.”

While the girls roster is comprised of primarily new bowlers, the Freeport boys have freshman Mark Livingston, who averaged 190 in his junior league last year. Issaic Spencer averaged nearly 160 last year and is another freshman.

Other top Yellowjacket bowlers are freshmen Ashton Guay and Andrew Simon, along with sophomore Seth Chance.

“I don't know how we'll do team-wise, but a few of these kids can achieve individual success,” Coach Livingston said. “There are USBC and college scholarship opportunities out there in this sport.”