McConnell bowls her way to college
BUTLER TWP — Practice makes perfect.
Butler senior Kelsee McConnell has followed that model on the bowling lanes for years. Now she’s parlayed her success into an opportunity to bowl in college, recently signing a letter of intent to continue her academic and bowling career at Mount Aloysius College in Cresson, Cambria County.
She also considered Clarion University, but there is no bowling team there.
“It was important to me to bowl in college,” McConnell said. “It’s been a goal of mine for a long time. It was a dream of mine when I was little.”
She plans to study ultrasonography, a form of medical imaging, in college.
“I’m very comfortable with her decision and how quickly she’ll be able to help the team there,” Butler bowling coach Bob Cupp said. “Kelsee has turned herself into an excellent bowler.”
Mount Aloysius was 8-48 last season under coach Jessica Miller, who has been at the helm for four years. The Mounties are 25-88 over the past three seasons and had eight rostered female bowlers last year.
Miller was a standout bowler herself for the Mounties, helping the team to three consecutive Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference championships from 2016 through 2018. She was an all-conference bowler as well.
“I had tremendous coaching in high school and I’m grateful for that,” McConnell said. “I believe I’m going to receive that same quality coaching in college. I just want to keep getting better.”
When she was in eighth grade, McConnell was permitted to practice with the Golden Tornado high school team. She took part in the Butler youth bowling program for years before that.
“That time I spent with the varsity team in eighth grade really helped me,” McConnell recalled. “I learned so much, mostly about what to expect once I was able to bowl at that level the following season.”
She’s flourished ever since.
McConnell’s average was in the 170s her freshman year. She held one of the highest averages in the WPIBL — 201.23 — her senior season. That average led the Northwest section of the league by 16 pins over Butler teammate Makenzie Zimmerman.
McConnell became the second female bowler in Golden Tornado history to finish the season with an average above 200, joining former high school state champion Megan Paul.
“Her consistency on the lanes comes from her dedication to the sport,” Cupp said. “Kelsee watches bowling on TV, follows tournaments, picks up tips wherever she can.
“She made herself one of the best bowlers to ever come through our program, and that’s saying something.”
McConnell practices five days a week, splitting time between Family Bowlaway and Sherwood Lanes.
“Just be the best bowler I can be and lead my team,” she said. “That’s all I want to do.”
