The Norwin boys bowling team competed in the Pennsylvania High School Bowling Championships on Saturday and nearly qualified for the stepladder finals.

The Knights placed ninth in the qualifying round with 2,875 pins, but fell short of advancing in the top six.

Competing were Ray Traill (210, 203, 175), Jon Stump (211, 190, 183), Greg Monda (180, 240, 159), Mike Simko (169, 179), Steve Romanchak (168, 172), Eric Roberts (245) and Weston Strom (191).

"Throughout this season, they have grown as a team and performed well at all the postseason events," coach Diane Jones said.

"I'm sure it was a very good learning experience for everyone. They developed their skills as bowlers, became good team players, and grew as individuals."

The event marked the end of the season for the Norwin boys, many of whom helped get the program started two years ago.

"I want to congratulate and thank all the team members of the girls and boys teams of Norwin for a wonderful season," Jones said.

"The coaches did a great job and we are all looking forward to another great season in 2008-09."

Also in the team tournament, the Penn-Trafford girls failed to qualify for the stepladder finals after placing 10th in the qualifying round with 2,568 pins.

Rolling for P-T were Katie Shumaker (220, 209, 229), Becky Gretchen (169, 176, 174), Ashley Sebek (157, 173, 158), Nichole Williams (168, 145, 155), Jenn Waddell (157, 147, 131) and Amber Garvis.

Warrior senior Chris Bolam put together one of the best runs of his life last Friday in singles.

He averaged a score of 230 through the six games of the qualifying round, which propelled him to a third seed in the stepladder finals.

After a bye in the first round of the stepladder finals, Bolam defeated Ryan Jamison of Serra Catholic, 258-248, in the quarterfinals and Woodland Hills' Richard Galya, 204-180, in the semifinals.

Bolam then lost to Antonio Palangio, 237-177, in the finals.