East Islip girls bowler Brooke Andresen places second in state Division I individual championship
Brooke Andresen of East Islip competes in the state girls bowling individual championships at Strike 'N Spare Lanes on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Syracuse. Credit: Ben Cleeton
SYRACUSE— When Brooke Andresen rolled her final ball of the day, she just wanted to end her seven years as a member of East Islip’s bowling team on a good note. She certainly accomplished that goal.
Andresen totaled 1,283 pins for six games to earn second place in the state Division I girls bowling individual championship at Strike ‘N Spare Lanes on Saturday. Hailey Barber of Rush Henrietta (Section V) had a 1,340 series to earn the title.
“Last shot, had to make sure it was a good one,” Andresen said. “It was very important to me. Seven years of bowling on my team, I just wanted to end on a good note.”
Andresen rolled a 246 in Game 4 to move from ninth place to third. She rolled a 214 in the final game to move into second.
‘I wasn’t doing as well as I could have after three games,” Andresen said. “I struggled early, but I ended things well. I think I did a good job and I’m proud of myself.”
Suffolk’s girls had a strong day overall, placing four bowlers in the top 10. Smithtown’s Trishna Desai rolled a 246 in Game 3 and finished in third with 1,267 pins.
“I had to grind it out and try to finish my spares,” Desai said. “I wasn’t able to shoot those 220s and 230s consistently, but I’m grateful I bowled well enough to finish top three.”
Longwood’s Kaylee Dwyer rolled a 244 in Game 3 and placed fourth with a 1,232 series. East Islip’s Meeya Leaderman shot a 243 in Game 1 and finished sixth with a 1,203 series.
“We all still tried to cheer for each other and not let being separated affect us,” Desai said. “Our mindsets were still to just make sure we’re all top 10 in the state.”
Sewanhaka’s Morgan Winchell also had an emotional final frame as she picked up a spare on the final toss of her high school career. Winchell was Nassau’s highest finisher and 12th overall with a 1,152 series.
“I was just happy to be here and grateful to everyone who helped me along the way. My coaches and family,” Winchell said. “I wanted that last shot to be my best one. It was a surreal moment.”
MacArthur senior Holland Boder rolled a 221 in her final game, rounding out the top 20 with a 1,112 series.
“It was a different mindset competing as individuals,” Winchell said. “But I told all the Nassau girls, even though we’re not a team, we’re still going to work as a team and we’ll be cheering for each other.”
Island Trees Kaitlyn Lesica was the lone Long Islander bowler in the state Division II individual championship. She rolled a 189 in Game 5 and finished 16th with a 1,060 series. Emma Felton of Depew (Section VI) had a 1,246 series to win the title.
Christopher Matias covers high school sports for Newsday after spending time in Athletic Facilities and Operation at St. John’s and in Sports Information at CUNY York college.
