Monroe County will be represented at this weekend’s IHSA girls bowling state tournament. 

Columbia High School sophomore Maddie Brandenburger qualified for state by virtue of a six-game total of 1,139 (190 per game average) at Saturday’s Mt. Vernon Sectional.

And she did it in comeback fashion.

“Maddie is very worthy of this accomplishment, as her work ethic and determination are unmatched,” CHS bowling coach Keith Jeffery said.  “So, even as her early games were evidence of a low-scoring condition, Maddie did not give in or give up on fighting until the end.”

Averaging just a 171 after the first four games, Brandenburger put together games of 219 and 227 to leapfrog over nearly 20 competitors and secure the fifth and final spot for at-large individuals advancing to state. 

She will travel north to The Cherry Bowl to compete at state, which begins Friday. 

Other locals competing at the sectional on Saturday were Waterloo’s Julia Wallace and Hannah Allen, finishing 17th and 20th respectively, as well as Columbia’s Emma Hoke placing 41st.