Duncan Lanes was the site of the Youth Bowling Council provincial tournament on Saturday, Feb. 25, with gold medalists moving on to the national finals in Guelph Ontario April 16-18.
Bantams and juniors were up first starting at 9 a.m. with the seniors scheduled to go later in the day.
Markus Lawrence earned the host’s first gold medal with an 805 total pinfall over six games. Cowichan’s Robert Lazenby had a strong showing for silver which included the high game in the age group. Lazenby’s 180 game helped him to a 725 total. Duncan was also represented by: Mathew Sawden (496), Ronin Frehlick (465) and Jensen Wratten (390).
In the junior girls division a strong final three games helped Splitsville (Nanaimo) bowler Rhiannon Riopka slip past Duncan’s Ryleigh Pinnell 701-656.
“It was Ryleigh’s first provincial medal since making the change from 5-pin to 10-pin this season,” said coach Bob Linde.
Cowichan’s Ethan Frehlick earned his second consecutive trip to YBC Nationals in the junior boys division when he expanded his lead in the fourth game with the high game of the age group. His 220 was the only game over 200 on his way to 1,025 pins.
Finnian Stiwich had a strong tournament finishing fifth with 861.
“Finnian just started bowling in November and is a promising player,” Linde said of the Cowichan bowler.
Locals Brodie Wowitka (838) and Kayden Richardson (696) rounded out the age group for the locals finishing seventh and eighth respectively.
The senior girls group had Jordan Singer of Splitsville powering her way to another national final as she had a 1,100 total including games of 203 and a final game of 220. Cowichan athlete Danika Lazenby took fifth place with 865 while teammates Paige Novak was sixth (657) and Kyra Richardson was seventh (625).
In his final year of youth bowling, senior Aden Nettleton didn’t disappoint, recovering from a slow start to charge to the lead.
“After averaging 179 for the first three games Aden bowled 712 for the last three averaging 237 to win the gold going away,” Linde said. “His 1,249 total gave him the championship by 120 pins.”
Duncan’s Parker Harvey picked up the bronze medal as he jumped up to third place on the strength of his 221 final game for a 1,095 total.
Jeremy Garside was sixth with 1,034 and Alex Gammie was ninth with 1,015.
Duncan bowlers are now preparing to travel to the Zone Coquitlam next Saturday, March 4 for the Canadian Tenpin Federation provincial championships with the winners moving on to Sault Ste. Marie May 18-21.
