ADAMS TWP — They had never bowled in a state tournament.

But count on Samantha Weber, Tyler Preininger, Derek Weaver and Hayley Hardcastle doing so again.

All Seneca Valley students and participants in the Saturday youth bowling program at Mars Lanes, this quartet bowled as a team together for the first time at the 11th annual Pennsylvania USBC Youth Open Championships last month.

And they won it.

“They all expressed interest in trying it, so their parents organized things and got them together,” Mars Lanes co-owner Ruth Geller said.

The event was held over three weekends. Weber, Preininger, Weaver and Hardcastle, under the team name Mars Mixed, bowled on its final weekend, April 26-27. They combined to roll a 2,146 handicapped score, 64 pins better than the second-place squad.

“We were all adding up and comparing scores ... We knew we won before we left the lanes that day,” Weber said.

The foursome competed in the 56-team Class B division, which housed girls with averages between 125-149, boys with averages between 135-169. Nesbits' Lanes in Pittsburgh hosted the team competition, the New Great Valley Lanes in North Versailles the doubles and singles competition.

Weaver, carrying a 143 average, Weber with a 128 and Preininger with a 149 are all 15 and freshmen at Seneca Valley. Hardcastle, 17 and a junior at SV, averages 149.

“They are very dedicated kids,” Geller said. “We have 33 kids in our youth program and sent three teams to the state tournament.”

Hardcastle's family lived out of the country for three years and she didn't bowl during that time. She returned to the sport this year.

“I missed it,” Hardcastle said. “When Freeway Lanes (in Zelienople) closed, Mars Lanes was the next closest place to come.”

Hardcastle also won Class B singles with a 602 handicap series. topping a field of 60 bowlers. She won all events with a 1,639, besting a field of 39.

All four bowlers also were members of the Seneca Valley High School team. Each contributed to the state championship effort with high games well above their respective averages.

Weaver bowled a 185, Weber a 165, Preininger a 215 and Hardcastle a 184.

“What I'll remember most about this is ny dad yelling at me for bowling bad,” Preininger said, laughing.

Weaver said he'll remember “bowling with friends.”

Weber said simply winning is what will stay with her while Hardcastle enjoyed the team's celebration dinner afterward.

“It was just so much fun,” she said.

Other local bowlers also fared well in the tournament:

Jacob Cookson of Butler teamed with Jared Shaner of Ford City to win Class A doubles with a 1,330.

Heather Paul of Butler was second in Class C girls all events with a 1,531 and third in singles with a 546.

Weber of Evans City was fourth in Class B girls all events with a 1,411.

Jonathan Elluinger of Zelienople was second in Class A boys all events with a 2,217.

Autumn Hepler of Butler was fourth in Class A girls singles with a 634.

The overall tournament dished out for than $32,000 in scholarship funding.