NORTH VERSAILLES — Megan Paul wasn’t going to be serious like everyone else.

Earlier in the week, the Butler junior bowler joked with her friend, Hempfield’s Jonathan Henderson, that they would both win WPIBL Regional crowns this Friday at North Versailles Bowl.

Paul, who missed qualifying for states last season, and Henderson did follow through with wins. Paul beat Montour’s Katy Gale, while Henderson beat Knoch’s Brett Miner 257-182.

“I was trying to have fun in the finals. Everyone was so serious,” Paul said. “When you get serious like that, you start to get nervous.”

Not that joking around all day kept her mind off the task at hand. She was still well aware of where she was ranked during qualifying.

“I was watching the scoreboard the entire time,” Paul said. “I was in first place after the first game, fell to second after four and fell to fifth after the sixth game.”

Paul was one of three Golden Tornado bowlers to qualify for states next weekend. Junior MiKayla White placed fourth, while senior Jacob Cookson came in fourth place for the boys. There were 78 girls and 74 boys that participated. They rolled six games to determine the 12 state qualifiers, then had match play to determine the champion.

Knoch’s lone qualifier was Miner, who will make his first state appearance in his senior season.

“I was really excited. I gave everyone there that supported me a big, old hug,” Miner said.

During the competition, Miner was never sure where he was at. Miner just focused on being consistent.

“I didn’t want to worry about what other people were doing,” Miner said. “I just focused on myself and kept an ear open for what coach had to say.”

Paul looks forward to making her second appearance at states after missing qualification by 13 pins this season.

Although she knows this year will be different.

“I think it might be harder. Everyone is expecting something from me now,” Paul said. “No one knew me because I wasn’t a big tournament bowler then. ... I’ll come in as Western Pa. champion and have a target on my back.”