BUTLER TWP — Nicole Nebel's collegiate goal was established three years ago — courtesy of Megan Paul.

Nebel was a freshman on the Butler High School bowling team when Paul earned a scholarship in the sport to Lindenwood (Mo.) University.

“I decided I wanted to go down that same path,” Nebel said.

Now a senior with the Golden Tornado, Nebel has verbally committed to Mount Aloysius College in Cresson, where she will compete on the bowling team.

The Mounties are two-time defending Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference champions and are 43-4 in AMCC play over the past three years, including 7-0 this season. Mount Aloysius does not have a senior on its 10-person women's roster this season.

“I'm excited about the opportunity to join their team,” Nebel said. “I know they've been a consistent winner at the Division III level.”

Nebel also considered Thomas More (Ky.), St. Francis (Pa.) and Duquesne before making her decision.

And she's used to bowling for a consistent winner.

Butler's girls bowling team has been dominant in Western Pennsylvania since the program was formed in 2009. Nebel will become the fourth Butler female bowler to move on to collegiate bowling, joining Paul, Brea Suchonic (Penn State-Altoona) and Autumn Hepler (Ursuline, Ohio).

“We will probably have a few more moving on, too,” Butler coach Bob Cupp said. “Jordyn Graham, Ashley McCue and Mercedes Belch will all have options.

“Nicole has worked hard on her game every year she's been with us. She is always open to coaching suggestions and different ways to improve her game.”

Nebel averaged 154 her freshman year and averages around 179 this season. She estimates her average has jumped anywhere from eight to 12 pins each season.

Also a Saturday morning Butler junior bowler, Nebel placed third at the Pepsi State Championships in York last year, thus qualifying for the Junior Gold Tournament, a national event in Cleveland.

The Junior Gold tourney also attracts plenty of collegiate coaches.

“That was the first year I qualified for that and it really helped me in terms of college,” Nebel said. “The Turbo Tech program, a three-day program that involved professional bowlers working with us, was very beneficial to me.

“We did classroom work with the pros. I learned stuff about different oil patterns, choice of ball ... things I never knew before.”

In terms of bowling know-how, Cupp refers to Nebel “as one of the most knowledgeable on the team.”

Nebel also spent time the past couple of years working with assistant coach Kurt Huff on Sunday afternoons at Sherwood Lanes during the high school season.

“We rarely got one-on-one coaching time with the bowlers, so I extended that opportunity and Nicole took advantage of it,” Huiff said. “I worked with her every second or third Sunday.

“We did some video on her approach and release ... Nicole is extremely dedicated to her game. Her hard work has paid off.”

Cupp said Nebel has “learned how to make adjustments from frame to frame” during a match.

Nebel said her biggest improvement in bowling during her high school career has been mental toughness.

“A bad shot doesn't affect me like it used to,” she said. “I've learned to move on and learn from that mistake.

“I don't beat myself up anymore.”

She pushes herself forward, instead.

“Setting a goal of bowling in college as a freshman and achieving it ... It does feel pretty good,” she said.