Nearly a decade ago, Butler High School started a varsity bowling program.

Almost immediately, the Golden Tornado became a statewide contender and one of the powers in the Western Pa. Interscholastic Bowling League.

Megan Paul won an individual state title. The Butler girls have won a state championship and the boys have advanced to regional and state competition.

Butler has rarely hurt for numbers in its bowling program. Having two bowling facilities right down the hill from the school certainly hasn’t hurt in that regard.

But the question is, why hasn’t high school bowling taken off at surrounding schools in Butler County?

Karns City and Knoch both used to have varsity programs in the WPIBL. Neither has one now.

Seneca Valley has numbers, but has yet to build a contending team. That may change with Neil Morris leading the program as he is a high-caliber bowler himself and heavily involved in the Butler Area USBC Association.

Mars only has a handful of bowlers in its program — boys and girls combined — this season.

What gives?

Youth bowling is prevalent around here. Bruin Lanes isn’t far from Karns City High School. Mars Lane is right down the street from Mars High School.

Freeport has a budding program and Wildlife Lanes — its home house — isn’t real far from the school, but it’s not exactly right next door, either. Mark Livingston is a standout sophomore on that squad and his father coaches the team.

Hopefully, Freeport’s bowling program sustains itself long after those guys are gone.

Knoch had a couple of standout bowlers a few years ago and that program did not sustain itself for very long once those guys were gone.

It’s hard to understand why youth bowlers wouldn’t want to don a shirt with their school’s colors and logo and compete for their community.

It’s such a unique opportunity for bowlers at that age.

Maybe not enough kids are staying with the sport through their high school years. Maybe they get involved with other activities.

Butler’s Jordan Reges has the second-highest average (200.92) in the WPIBL’s North Division on the boys side. Butler and North Allegheny comprise the top six averages in that division.

The Tornado’s Jordyn Graham leads the North Division on the girls side with a 191.96 average.

Butler and North Allegheny are headed for a section showdown again.

Bob Cupp, Butler’s coach and an outstanding bowler, is also vice president of the WPIBL.

It’s a well-organized and well-run league.

A league more schools, teams and bowlers should be taking advantage of.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle