Special Olympic bowlers complete successful season
After a great season at Woodstock Bowlacade, Western Valley Region Special Olympic bowlers completed a successful year by earning 10 medals at the provincial tournament in Fredericton.
Western Valley Regional Coordinator Debbi Graham said Special Olympic bowlers, with volunteer support, spent Wednesday evenings at the Woodstock Bowlacade honing their bowling skills and enjoying time together.
“Special Olympics Western Valley bowlers have finished up their very successful winter bowling season,” Graham said. “Volunteers have again done a wonderful job of keeping score and providing lots of fun Wednesday evenings for our Special Olympic athletes. There was lots of stiff competition throughout the season.”
She said the region handed out several awards at year’s end.
Marco Gavin and Abby Crawford earned awards for high averages, while Crawford and Chris Grant took the trophies for high singles.
High double honours went to Kevin Leighton and Patti Connors.
Floyd Atherton was named Outstanding Youth Bowler, while every athlete earned a participation ribbon.
Graham extended the Western Valley Region’s appreciation to the event host.
“We would like to give a big shout out to BJ Hamilton for making athletes always feel welcome at the Woodstock Bowlacade,” she said.
Sixteen Western Valley bowlers, accompanied by four volunteers, participated in a provincial tournament from April 26 to 28 at the Kingswood Entertainment Centre.
Graham said each athlete bowled five strings, with Western Valley bowlers earning 10 medals.
Marco Gauvin and Terry Sprague brought gold medals home, while Travis Foster and Candido DaCunha secured silver ones.
Female bowlers Tara Lynn Champion, Shielou Aroganta and Brooke Rennie, and male counterparts Frank Long, Chris Grant and Brandon Downey earned bronze medals.
Graham said the athletes enjoyed the banquet following the bowling and that the athletes’ dance was a special event.
“I think the best time was had by all at the dance to end the fun weekend,” she said. “Throughout this winter season, new friendships were made and old ones reunited.”
With the winter season ending, Graham said Western Valley Region Special Olympians are preparing for an eventful summer sports season.
Softball began with its first practice on Sunday, May 26, with the athletes preparing to compete each Wednesday in the Western Valley softball league.
Golf begins at the Covered Bridge Golf and Country Club in Hartland on Thursday, June 6.
Special Olympic athletics take place on Mondays, beginning June 10, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Townsview School track.
Bocce is set for Wednesdays, beginning June 12, from 6 to 7 p.m. outside the AYR Motor Centre field house.
Graham said Western Valley Region will offer youth programs for children between the ages of 2 and 12, but the details remain to be confirmed.
Jim Dumville, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, River Valley Sun
