3 minute read
Local girls bowling hearts out for Sask
Two local bowlers are on their way to a medal while representing Team Saskatchewan in Ottawa, Ont. and Gatineau, Que. in Youth Bowling Canada (YBC) five-pin Junior Girls doubles nationals.
E.S. Laird’s Danielle Binetruy, 15 and Ava Atkinson, 13, a resident of Marwayne, who both bowl out of Lloyd Lanes under the direction of coach Donald Spencer, left for Ottawa last Saturday for three days of competition with the finals taking place yesterday before press time.
Competing at YBC nationals will be a first-time experience for both girls, and they’re hoping to make life-long friends and lasting memories.
“I’m excited for all of the people; there are so many kids going, so it’ll be great to meet everyone,” said Atkinson.
“W e’re going to be playing 21 games, so anything can happen.”
Binetruy explained she’s most looking forward to the overall experience.
“I’ve never been and I think it’s going to be really good,” she said.
Nationals consist of three days of competition with athletes bowling five games on day one, seven on day two, and nine on day three.
Both athletes were also looking forward to the travel as they’d never been to Ontario or Quebec.
Binetruy and Atkin - son had a proper sendoff last Friday night as local bowlers showed support through a fundraising tournament with proceeds helping cover the costs involved in travel.
“We have 16 people playing against each other to win tonight,” said Binetruy.
“All proceeds from tonight’s 50/50 will be going to us,” added Atkinson.
“It’s awesome to have this community support and see all of these people out here tonight.”
For coach Spencer, the sense of pride he has for these two athletes can be heard through the way he speaks about them.
“They’re phenomenal bowlers, and it takes a lot of hard work to get to nationals,” he said, noting Binetruy and Atkinson make up Team Saskatchewan in its entirety.
“I’ve been coaching these girls for a long time and I think they have what it takes to succeed at nationals,” he said, noting the importance of the mental game.
“They’re bowling 21 games, so they’re going to have bad games, they’re going to have bad frames, but you can’t let that get in your head, and that’s hard to do. These two young ladies are very competitive and want to be bowling well all the time. Ninety per cent of bowling is mental.”
Lashburn’s Aryck Lapierre is also currently doing very well in bantam boys singles. Be sur e to check out next week’s Source for updates on our local athletes.
TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR
