MJ Westmorland of Hudson’s Bay selected as the All-Region girls bowler of the year

MJ Westmorland was on the verge of getting the chance to bowl one shot for a state individual championship.

But first, the Hudson’s Bay senior needed to pick up a 1-2-4 spare in the 10th frame.

She shot … and left one pin standing.

“It was really close,” Westmorland said. “I didn’t miss by a whole bunch. The 2 pin just kind of slid in front of the 4, and I’m like ‘Oh!’ It didn’t quite shoot it the way it’s supposed to be shot, but I certainly feel like I should have picked it up.”

The miss cost her a state individual title. But if she had to finish second, she’s glad it was behind a teammate — Sanaa Tyler.

“I did want to win, but I was super happy for Sanaa,” Westmorland said. “I can’t take anything away from her. She bowled amazing that day, and she got to have her shining moment there. And I was super happy for her. And, you know, second is still pretty good. And I took that and carried it into the next day to lead the team.”

Westmorland became a state champion the following day, helping the Eagles capture the 2A state team title.

And as Bay’s top bowler all season, Westmorland was selected as The Columbian’s All-Region girls bowler of the year.

Westmorland had the honor of rolling the final ball to secure that state team title at Bowlero in Tukwila.

“We were all crying, like tears of happiness,” Westmorland said. “As soon as I threw my final shot, I looked at Charley (St. Mars) and Abby (Schoonover), and I started crying. I was hugging them like ‘We won! We’re state champions!

“I love my team, like the whole team — JV and C team included. We’re all part of the same friend group, but bowling brings us closer together.”

Westmorland grew up bowling with her family. She’s been bowling in a junior leagues since she was five.

“It’s kind of how my family and I spend time together,” she said. “It’s how we bond. Like most of our conversations revolve around bowling. And it’s just a pretty fun sport to do.”

Westmorland tried to bring that family atmosphere into the Bay team, and those tight bonds helped set the Eagles up for a special season in 2024-25.

“I made the choice to stop playing softball this year, so I could focus on bowling,” said Westmorland, who plans to bowl and study English literature in college next year. “So I felt very confident in our team, just because I know all of the girls are strong on the team, and we all like each other. My best friend Charley is on the team, and the two of us as captains really bonded with the girls.”

And the bonds worked both ways. As Bay’s top bowler, Westmorland would bowl last in baker games, in which one bowler builds the team score off what the previous bowler rolled.

At the state tournament, Bay twice bowled baker games over 200, including a 227 in the final game to clinch the state title.

Addysen Case, Skyview: The senior was the 4A GSHL player of the year, 4A district champion and placed 10th at the 4A state tournament.

Izabella Hewes, Prairie: The senior was the 3A GSHL player of the year, placed fourth at district and third in the 3A state tournament.

Kaydree Rowland, Skyview: The senior was the 4A district runner-up (669 series) and placed seventh at state for the 4A state champions.

Sanaa Tyler, Hudson’s Bay: The sophomore was the 2A state individual champion, helping the Eagles win the 2A state team title.

Jade Walters, R.A. Long: The senior placed fourth in the 2A district tournament, fifth in the 2A state tournament for 2A state team runner-up.