Karsyn Lukosius Claims Third PWBA Regional Title of the Season

Karsyn Lukosius of Jackson, New Jersey, continued her impressive 2024 campaign with her third Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) Regional victory of the year. Lukosius, the top seed in the tournament, emerged victorious at the PWBA Rhode Island Regional held at East Providence Lanes on Saturday.

A Dominant Performance in Qualifying

Lukosius showcased her consistency and precision in the eight-game qualifying round, averaging an impressive 232. Her scores included games of 247, 259, 224, 224, 234, 195, 215, and 258, totaling 1,856 and securing the No. 1 seed for the stepladder finals.

Joining her in the finals were Haley Youker (Erie, Pennsylvania), Marissa Allison (Painesville, Ohio), and Brianna Mester (Staten Island, New York)—all of whom performed exceptionally well on the 40-foot oil pattern.

Mester’s Strong Climb Up the Ladder

The stepladder finals began with Brianna Mester, who had home-lane advantage as a bowler for Bryant University, taking on Marissa Allison. Mester found her rhythm early, rolling four strikes in her first five frames, while Allison struggled with consecutive open frames. Mester maintained control, closing with a 247-186 victory. Allison finished fourth, earning $500.

Next, Mester faced Haley Youker, who had posted the highest game of the tournament—a 289 in qualifying. However, Mester continued her momentum, starting the match with a spare followed by four consecutive strikes. Youker, a left-hander, struggled to convert her 7-pin leaves and missed a key spare in the seventh frame, sealing her fate. Mester won convincingly, 245-171, securing her place in the final. Youker placed third, taking home $600.

Lukosius Seals the Title with a Strong Finish

In the championship match, Lukosius faced Mester, who had fought her way up the ladder. The match began cautiously, with Mester missing a 9-pin spare and Lukosius struggling with the 10-pin. However, after a strategic ball change, Lukosius caught fire, rolling five consecutive strikes. This powerful finish left Mester with little room to recover.

Lukosius secured the 236-181 victory, claiming the Rhode Island Regional trophy belt and the top prize of $1,600. Mester earned $800 in her SMART account as the runner-up.

Lukosius Eyes the PWBA National Tour

Reflecting on her win, Lukosius expressed her excitement and confidence:

“I am so unbelievably happy and proud. The key today was just to stay patient. Everything is clicking this year, and it’s an awesome feeling.”

Her third PWBA Regional win of 2024 puts her just one victory away from tying Julia Bond for the most PWBA Regional titles all-time. It is also the highest number of regional wins in a single season.

When asked about transitioning to the PWBA National Tour, Lukosius hinted that it might happen sooner than expected:

“My game is clicking right now. I feel good about my game. I have a full-time job, and I love the support I get from my job to compete. They’re always encouraging me and pushing me, so we’ll see.”

What’s Next?

Lukosius will compete next at the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Women’s Championships in Reno, Nevada, followed by the USBC Queens starting May 14, where she will be a key contender.

Meanwhile, the PWBA National Tour kicks off on May 2 with the Twin Cities Open in Eagan, Minnesota. The PWBA Regional Tour will return on July 14 with the Oklahoma Regional in Norman, Oklahoma.

With her red-hot form, Lukosius is undoubtedly a rising star in professional bowling, and her next steps will be closely watched by fans and competitors alike. 🎳✨