Special Olympics BC bowling athletes from around the province are ready to hit the lanes in Prince Edward Island at the 2018 Special Olympics Canada Bowling Championships from May 15 to 19! Team BC Training Squad 5- and 10-pin bowlers have been working hard and putting to use tips they learned at their training camp in November.

In addition to regular bowling practices, athletes have been attending Club Fit sessions to improve their overall strength, embracing new bowling techniques, and learning about the venues in P.E.I. so they are prepared to do their best on the national stage next month.

Members of the Cowichan Valley Strikers 5-pin team have been getting familiar with the layout of the lanes where they will be competing through an online virtual tour of the venue.

“It’s great to have a visual,” Coach Jean Scholefield said.

Her team has been practicing three times a week and Scholefield says they are “very excited” about the upcoming Bowling Championships.

Strikers team member Melanie McMaster is looking forward to a trip full of exciting firsts. Not only will it be her first time at a national competition, but it will be her first time travelling on an airplane. She is “excited and a little nervous,” but very happy to be chosen to represent her province in P.E.I.

The trip to the East Coast will also be a first for SOBC – Mission athlete Mylynda Peebles, who has been practicing three times a week and actively trying new techniques to help improve her scores.

“I’m really proud of myself for making it this far!” Peebles said.

Peebles is excited about the competition and to bowl with her team, the Mission Strikers R Us.

“We come together as a single unit when we’re bowling,” she said.

Athletes on the South Okanagan Shooting Stars team are also working hard and aiming for the sky when it comes to preparing for the competitions next month. “All team members remain dedicated and focused and have raised their averages,” said Coach Patricia Krieger.

The bowlers have been staying active through regular bowling practices, Club Fit sessions, and other sports such as curling and swimming. Teammates Wayne Bierbaum and Bobby Brimacombe said they are both excited to represent Team BC and can’t wait to do their best.

Five-pin bowling athlete Meghan Burnett is looking forward to “the experience of representing our province.” She hopes to come home with a medal, “but I won’t be upset if I don’t.” Now living in Oliver, B.C., Burnett is excited to experience the Bowling Championships with the Mission High Rollers, who she qualified with at the 2017 Special Olympics BC Summer Games. Burnett says the Mission High Rollers are “hard workers and all good friends,” and it means a lot to be able to bowl with them in May.

Debbie McCooey, coach for the Comox Valley Pins, said her team is “taking training very seriously,” and are consistently giving a strong effort at their practices and Club Fit sessions.

The Quesnel Alley Cats are also busy with extra practice and exercise to prepare for the Championships.

“The athletes are looking forward to the competition with goals of best performances, making new friendships, having lots of fun, and a spot on the podium would be an awesome reward to end the week in P.E.I. They are all champions in my eyes!” Quesnel Alley Cats Coach Ellen Martz said.

In Dawson Creek, 5-pin Head Coach Jack Walsh is helping the Strike Force team prepare for their Bowling Championships adventure out east. Walsh said the team is “pumped and ready to go, nothing but smiles and high-fives,” and all team members are steadily increasing their individual averages.

SOBC – Dawson Creek athlete and Strike Force team member Lisa Perry recently embraced changes to her bowling method, which initially resulted in lower scores but helped improve her score at a recent Regional Qualifier.

“Her joy was infectious for the team,” Walsh said.

Ten-pin bowlers throughout the province are ready to rock the lanes in P.E.I., and have been attending practices multiple times a week to prepare for the Championships.

“They are excited for the trip, the competition, and to make new friends,” Coach Bryan LeBlanc said.

After months of practice, the 5- and 10-pin bowlers will start their journey across the country in just a few short weeks. Opening Ceremonies will take place on May 15 and competition kicks off May 16 at venues throughout Prince Edward Island. Good luck to all!

Follow Team BC updates at www.soteambc2018.ca

Find out more about the 2018 Special Olympics Canada Bowling Championships at www.specialolympics.ca/2018-bowling