The year 2023 is coming to an end. A lot of people will look back on this past year with a feeling of pride and accomplishment. That includes a group of bowlers from Erie County who can proudly say they are state champions!

It was last April when four bowlers from the Wednesday Night League at Lake City Lanes traveled to Altoona to participate in the Pennsylvania State Championships sponsored by the United States Bowling Congress. You don't have to qualify for the tournament.  You just enter and bowl.

"We just really enjoy our time together.  We rent a van.  We go down state.  I always say we don't go to bowl.  We just go to have fun,” says team member Gail McDonald.

The group would compete against 274 other teams to hopefully win the state championship team trophy in the Handicap Division. Just like golf, bowlers’ final scores are adjusted by skill level.. or handicap. The girls have participated in the tournament for at least 20 years and always came home empty-handed.  Did they really think they could win this year? 

"Never. Not even close,” says Gail with a laugh.

"No,” says team member Iola Lawrence. “That's only a dream and they don't usually come true."  

However, 2023 was the year for dreams to come true. 66-year old Gail McDonald, 68-year old Judy Veshinfsky, 76-year old Ellie Steinle, and 86-year old Iola Lawrence did it.  The tight-knit group won the state championship!

"We just all go.  Have a good time.  Good friends.  That beats everything. The championship was just an extra prize,” says Ellie.  

The team recently traveled to a banquet in Harrisburg where they were given their state championship trophies.  It was a proud moment because the group defeated teams that were much, much younger.  But, that's not the most interesting thing about the tournament.  No one knows who wins the team championship until the tournament director mails the bowlers a letter with the final results.  The girls knew they did well but they never thought they would win. Judy didn't even open her letter.

"I ripped my letter up because I didn't think it was anything important,” remembers Judy. “Gail called me up and says, ‘Hey, do you know we won the State Championship?’  I go, 'What?'  I ripped the letter up!"  

Northwestern Pennsylvania has been home to state champions in many sports.  Don't forget to add this group of bowlers to the list.

The group will defend their title in the 2024 tournament.  It will be without Iola.  The 86-year old has decided to retire from bowling.  However, she says she will travel to the championships to cheer on her former teammates.