A pair of bowlers from Louisville earned state runner-up honors Thursday during the State Championships at Collins Eastland in Lexington, Ky.
South Warren senior Kaleb Miller defeated St. Xavier junior Brandon Flora 277-268 in the boys final, and Scott County senior Sarah Doyle beat Male junior Kayla Shannon 191-173 in the girls final.
Flora was in the state final for the second time, having won the championship as a freshman in 2014. Doyle, who was the state runner-up as a freshman in 2013, won her second straight girls title.
Flora and Eastern’s Jacob Rowan represented Louisville in the boys semifinals Thursday. Rowan tied for seventh and did not qualify for the step-ladder finals. Flora defeated Taylor County’s McKinley Knopp 268-236 to advance to the final.
Shannon was the only girl from Louisville to advance past the first round. She defeated Central Hardin’s Mary Zeitler 177-172 to advance to the final against Doyle.
The event will resume Friday with team competition. Boys qualifying will start at 7:50 a.m., with the final set for approximately 12:15 p.m. Girls qualifying is set for 1:35 p.m., with the final slated for approximately 5:15 p.m.
Pleasure Ridge Park, Butler, Trinity and Ballard will represent the Louisville area in the boys event. Mercy, Bullitt East, Male and Manual qualified on the girls side.
Jason Frakes can be reached at (502) 582-4046 and jfrakes@courier-journal.com.