Kaitlyn Stull Claims Victory at 2024 PWBA Mooresville Regional

In a thrilling championship match at Victory Lanes in Mooresville, North Carolina, Kaitlyn Stull emerged victorious at the 2024 Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) Mooresville Regional. The 16-year-old from Charlotte defeated her Junior Team USA teammate, Annalise OBryant, with a final score of 200-183 on Sunday.

Clutch Performance Seals the Win

The title match remained competitive until the final frame, where Stull delivered a crucial strike on her first ball in the 10th to secure her first PWBA Regional title. Despite not usually watching the scoreboard, Stull knew exactly what was required in the decisive moment.

“I’m not really a scoreboard watcher, but sometimes I like to look just so that I’ll know what I have to do,”Stull said. “I knew that I needed a mark, but I didn’t let it get to my head. I knew that if I made a good shot, even if I caught a bad break, I couldn’t do anything about it.”

That confidence paid off as she delivered a perfect shot, earning her $1,600 in prize money and a coveted spot in the PWBA Regional Showdown, set to take place at Aloma Bowl in Winter Park, Florida, from December 5-7.

A Special Win in Her Home State

Winning in North Carolina carried extra meaning for Stull, who recently had to withdraw from the Team USA Trials due to an infected finger.

“It means a lot to have won here in North Carolina,” Stull said. “Just seeing how far I’ve come since then is pretty amazing.”

With this win, Stull solidifies her place as a rising star in women’s bowling. As she prepares to compete at the collegiate level, she is expected to deliver many more standout performances in the PWBA.

OBryant’s Strong Run Continues

Despite falling short in the final, 19-year-old Annalise OBryant of Ball Ground, Georgia, continued her impressive streak in PWBA Regional events. She earned $800 for her runner-up finish, marking back-to-back second-place resultsafter also finishing as the runner-up at the 2024 PWBA Myrtle Beach Regional in January.

How the Finalists Reached the Title Match

Stull advanced to the championship match by defeating No. 4 seed Rachael Stout of Fremont, Ohio, in the semifinals with a dominant 224-156 victory.

Stout had previously showcased her skill in the stepladder finals, striking on eight of her final nine deliveries to defeat No. 3 seed Daphne Smith of Simpsonville, South Carolina, 255-180. However, her momentum faded against Stull, as she struggled to find her rhythm early in the match.

Despite the semifinal loss, Stout secured third place and $650, while Smith took home $550 for finishing fifth in a competitive 54-player field.

Next Stop: PWBA Eastern Pennsylvania Regional

The next PWBA Regional event is set for March 9 at Steel City Bowl & Brews in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. With fierce competition expected, fans can look forward to another exciting showdown on the road to the PWBA Regional Showdown in December.