It wasn’t the outcome the Apollo girls’ bowling team had in mind, falling in the opening round of the 2026 KHSAA Girls’ State Championship to Notre Dame. In the qualifying round, Apollo was seeded 11th after bowling an 894, before losing to #6 Notre Dame 3-0.
Notre Dame ended up falling in the semi-finals, and #1 Pleasure Ridge Park emerged as the Tournament champions.
“With just two seniors and a young team with most who had not competed at State, I think their nerves got to them in the team event,” Apollo Head Coach Kerrie Franklin said. “We missed way too many easy spares and hats off to Notre Dame for throwing some good games against us.”
In the Girls’ Singles Championship, Apollo’s Sophie O’Bryan started off hot, rolling a 214 in her first game to put her in fourth. She switched lanes in the second game and bowled a 160, which dropped her to 14th. In the third game, she rolled a 157th, ending her outing in 17th.
“I have a strong feeling this group is hungry for more, and I know our junior class of Sophie O’Bryan, Gracie Brown, and Alivia Waltrip is,” Franklin said. “We plan to get back there next year. Every state trip is special, no matter the outcome, and our girls finished with a well-earned opportunity today. We are very proud of them.”
