Practice has paid off for a 100 Mile House Special Olympics bowling team, which competed at the Gold Pan Invitational bowling tournament in Quesnel, March 10-11.
The team of Teresa Galati, Ben Johnson, David Shacklock, Jared Douglas and Andy Bremner earned third place at the five-pin tournament, finishing behind two teams from Quesnel.
Bibs Lindhout coaches the 100 Mile squad.
Galati also won the award for female bowler with the most pins above her average.
The second team from 100 Mile, with Ryan Barker, Krista Connell, Paul Janzen, Tricia Beauvais, Aaron Goodwill and spare David Hansen, who was pulled into action, did not place.
They are coached by Phil Oldershaw.
Ten teams from Quesnel, Prince George and 100 Mile participated in the annual event.
The bowling teams are now getting ready for their annual Bowlarama, where they’ll wind up their season on April 17 at The Bowling Alley in 100 Mile.
Team co-ordinator Denise Barker says it’s a Special Olympics fundraiser during which local emergency services members have been invited to join the bowling teams for an evening of fun and games and a potluck dinner.
In support of Bowlarama, the team is currently collecting pledges from the public, with the money earmarked for travel expenses to future events and for local functions.
For the first time ever, the 100 Mile House Special Olympics Bowling organization will be sending a team to compete in the regional qualifier, which takes place April 14-15 in Prince George. It’s a stepping-stone to provincials and worlds, says Barker.
Members of that team are Bremner, Janzen, Connell, Beauvais and Christian Samson.
