Canadian National Championships - May 17-20, 2013

Transcription

1 Canadian National Championships - May 17-20, 2013 There were 171 participants in this year's event, which is a fantastic turnout. Congratulations to all of you for going to Laurentian Lanes in Montreal to compete for the honour of representing Canada on one of our national teams! For those of you who weren't aware, it was decided that there would be three separate lane oiling patterns chosen for the first 3 days of competition. There would be a short, medium, and long pattern, in that order, for those days. From all of the existing WTBA (World Tenpin Bowling Association) oiling patterns, the three patterns would be selected by a random draw. On Wednesday, the 15th, the draws were made, and the patterns chosen were Stockholm, Athens, and Paris. The 4th day of competition would use two of those patterns - the long pattern (Paris) on the left lane of each pair, and the short pattern (Stockholm) on the right lane. The official practice took place on Thursday, May 16th, giving the competitors a chance to experience and learn about these three oiling patterns. Their objective? To determine their best plan of attack for each of the patterns - which area of the lane to play, which balls to use, and what release and hand positions might give them the best chance of success for each. A tall order to be sure. Unfortunately, as much as you learn in practice, you have to be open to the fact that the conditions might play differently on game day, due to so many other variables that can affect things (temperature, humidity, other bowlers, lane differences, and the list goes on). And on Friday, it's "game on". It's time to put it all together, both physically and mentally. Six games on each of the first 3 days of competition, all in an effort to make the cut to the Match Play competition on the 4th day. Only the top 18 men, and the top 12 women make it to these final 12 games, so the pressure is on, from start to finish. During the tournament, we had some terrific coverage and storylines that were posted on our CTF Connections page in Facebook. What follows is a number of those stories. And if you're looking for the details of the standings for each day's competition, please go to: Day 1 After the first squad for the ladies, seven-time Team Canada member Lynne Gauthier led the field of sixtytwo bowlers with a six-game total of 1406, averaging 234. Lynne said she felt like today was icing on the cake. My goal was to execute shots and stay in the moment, and fortunately that produced results. I didn t have to make many adjustments today. I hope to follow the same game plan for tomorrow on the medium pattern, execute and stay focused. Photo: Lynne Gauthier (R) Val Calberry (L)

2 Last year s national champion, Caroline Lagrange, was sitting in second place with a score of She said, I bowled well, but missed a few opportunities, but over all I feel pretty good. Another current Team Canada member, Valerie Calberry, and twice a member of Youth Team Canada, was sitting in third place with a score of Valerie and Lynne crossed together today and Valerie said; I started off slow but made a ball change early on and for the rest of the squad felt very comfortable. Leading in the Senior Division for the ladies was a former Team Canada member, Sharon Tataryn, with a score of There was two Senior teams created from the Championships - one will compete in Las Vegas at the first-ever Seniors World Championships, and the other will compete in Costa Rica for the PABCON Senior Championships. Youth bowler, Kevin Maurice, took the lead after the first day of qualifying for the men at the Canadian National Championships CNC s. Photo: Kevin Maurice (R) Mitch Hupé (L) From Sherbrooke, Quebec, nineteen year old Kevin Maurice led the men s field today with 1476 averaging 246 for six games on the WTBA short pattern, Stockholm. Two-time Youth Team Canada member Kevin said, It is a good feeling to be leading a field of this calibre and gives me trust and confidence for the next two squads. I am not nervous, I just want to bowl my own game and I hope to bowl well. Right behind Kevin was defending Champion David Simard, with a six game total of In fifth place after the first squad of men s qualifying was eighteen year old Mitch Hupé from Winnipeg, Manitoba. This was Mitch s third Canadian National Championships, and he is on the current Youth Team Canada. While not feeling well, bowling with flu-like symptoms, Mitch said, I feel comfortable and a little nervous, but not worried. I just want to bowl my game. I have no control over the other competitors - they have their own job to do. Leading for the senior men s division was 1990/91 Canadian National Champion, Ray Vervynck. When asked what it is like leading the senior division, Ray said; It really feels good, I am excited to be bowling good, and gained confidence recently with my performance in Reno at the US Open Championships. I am not nervous but a little apprehensive going into tomorrow on the tough Medium condition. I wish all the competitions the best, and if I also finish in the top six, I am ok with that as well. Big Smile!

3 Embracing Adversity! Senior bowler Catherine Harvey (L) wakes up to a new adventure. While getting ready to leave the hotel, she went out to get into her car, where she remembered parking the night before, to find it wasn t there. She pushed the panic button thinking maybe I parked somewhere else. No response from the panic button. Then she realized; My car has been stolen! But wait, I need to bowl in an hour! They contacted Gold Medal Pro Shop owner/operator Tyrel Rose. Now remember, the ladies' squad was going to start at 9:00 am. By 8:15, Catherine was in the pro shop, getting two balls drilled, new shoes and a new wrist brace for that day s squad. Upon arriving at the bowling centre, the story of Catherine s demise spread around the bowlers. Catherine said, Everyone has been so helpful, bringing me towels and accessories for today s squad. They have been just wonderful. Catherine did not appear to be in panic mode, but embraced the situation. With her good friend, Canadian Tenpin Federation Hall of Famer and former Team Canada member in 1971, Eileen Scoccia-Brown (R) at her side, keeping things light Upon speaking with Eileen, she said; I just keep joking to make her feel better. Eileen s sense of humor was very evident. When I congratulated her as a Hall of Fame Member, she said; And when they call my name at the Hall of Fame dinners I jump right up, to let everyone know I am still alive. Catherine bowled 1202 for the squad, with all her new equipment. Also some good news came her way from her home town centre, Barrie Bowlerama. They will cover the cost of all her stolen equipment. While talking with Catherine she was overwhelmed by the generosity. She wanted to extend a HUGE THANK YOU to the bowling community for all the support! Day 2 Lynne Gauthier (L) continued to lead the ladies' field after two squads with 2622 for twelve games, followed closely in second place by Caroline Lagrange at When speaking with the ladies, both agreed that Day 2 tested their patience, and spare shooting was a premium. Lynne found the condition touchy and was a little frustrated with the carry, saying

4 I just did not want to give up the head pin and refocused, after leaving a few pocket splits; it was a grind today. Caroline (R) commented the same as Lynne about not wanting to give up the head pin. She said, The medium pattern can be attacked from so many different angles, so I worked on being patient and Damage Control. I made a surface change later in the block that helped with carry. With the change in format last year for the Canadian National Championships, records were starting to fall in this years championships. Isabelle Rioux (L) made a jump today in the standings with a new six-game total of Isabelle started the day in 20th place and is sitting in 4th after today's recordbreaking performance. Lynne Gauthier beat the twelve-game total with 2622 over Caroline Lagrange's 2602 from last year. Parents Play Huge Role With the Strong Youth Presence at the CNC During morning coffee with senior bowlers Lauraine Fast and Kelly Kruschel, each expressed how great it is to see so many youth athletes at this year s CNC. Lauraine commented; I remember going to the Saturday morning youth league, renting shoes, and getting a ball off the rack. Very few of the youth got any coaching or even had equipment. Both ladies are impressed with the talent, parental support and coaching available to the youth these days. Thirty-three youth boys and eighteen youth girls were competing to obtain four spots on each of the 2014 Youth Teams (Ladies and Men). Each team also has one alternate. The youth have an added opportunity to also be in the top six for the adult team, such as Francois Lavoie, who is on the 2013 team. After two squads of qualifying, three youth boys were in the top ten for the men - Mitch Hupé, Francois Lavoie, and Kevin Maurice. In the ladies division, after two squads of qualifying, there are three youth girls in the top eleven - Brittany Crawford, Miranda Panas and Andreanne Blouin. These young bowlers didn t just appear out of nowhere. A huge support team surrounds each athlete. Parents from across the country travel and spend long days in bowling centres to watch their loved ones compete for future national team positions, and educational scholarships. They watch as their children learn to develop social values and life lessons which create character. Character is associated with a host of sport values such as teamwork, loyalty, self-sacrifice, perseverance, work ethic, and mental toughness. There are two sets of values that define character - Social Values and Moral Values. Social values are usually defined by coaches, administrators, and players. Parents work a lifetime on Moral Values, which include honesty, fairness, responsibility, compassion, and respect. They understand that a strong moral character will

5 help their children with peer pressure and societal pressures. So yes, there was a strong presence of youth this year. Coaching across Canada has and is developing with continual education. Sport technically is available to the world through social media, and there is much more available to the youth. Parents are their child s biggest and best fans, unconditionally! They point out the important distinction between success and failure, and winning and losing, while trying to make the sport fun. Thank you for the long hours sitting and watching, the many miles traveled, the hours of volunteer help, and the support given towards all the athletes and coaches, and of course, footing the bills in most cases. Thank you for being YOU! ************** The leader board for the men had some changes on Day 2, with last year s national champion, David Simard (R), making a move into first place with a total of 2762 for twelve games. David said; I started off slow - I played the wrong area of the lane, but made an adjustment which created a better angle for me and the scores were better. Following closely in second place was former Team Canada member, Jonathan Simoneau, at Day 3 Seniors Charge to the Finish for the Worlds Team! Ray Vervynck led the charge on Day 3 for the senior men with an eighteen-game total of 4062, and also sat in third place for the adult division, all while topping off the day with a 300 game. In second place, first-time Team Canada member, Russel Serwetnyk, finished with an eighteengame total of Russel was so happy to be on the team, the guys commented: "We think he will have a permanent smile for the next month. With a score of 3681, former senior Team Canada member Randy Kostenuk finished third. The fourth and final member of the team is Jack Brace (aka Fossil) with a score of The photo, from left to right, Brace, Kostenuk, Serwetnyk, and Vervynck. Jack is no stranger to the international scene of bowling as he was a former Team Canada member for many years, and also a member of the Canadian Senior Team who won team gold medal at the last senior PABCON championships.

6 On the Ladies Senior Team for the World Championships is former Team Canada member, France Joubert, who sat in sixth place overall. Catherine Harvey was in second place (what a week Catherine has had!). In third place was another former Team Canada member, Sharon Tataryn. And rounding out the team, the first lady to shoot a 300 game at the QubicaAMF, Jill (Clendenning) Friis. Good Luck to everyone at the First Senior World Championships. Jo-Ann Sanesac - Peak Performance! Let s define the zone or peak performance. We are talking about those magical moments when you feel like everything in your game plan is going to be exceptional. Your thoughts, body, attitude, and energy levels are all working together. Like some sort of psychic, you feel like you can direct where the ball will travel and hit. Distance to the pins seems to shrink and you feel a connection between your hand in the ball, the lane, and the pins. Spares are no problem; you see them and shoot. They re gone! Today was a peak performance day for Jo-Ann Sanesac. Jo-Ann, known as JoJo, bowled a three game total of 806 for the first three games today and then went on to shoot 799 for the last three games of the squad, for a total of She averaged 267 on the day and moved her into first place for the next day's match play round. When we spoke with JoJo, we complimented her on the changes she has made to her physical game. She said; I felt my game was onedimensional and I needed change, so I worked with people like Del Ballard Jr., Doene Moos, Frank Buffa and Pascal Loyer, each helping within their specialty. I wanted to become smoother with my release and more versatile, I practiced a lot and it feels good. When I found the right angle I just made small adjustments today and the scores came. When asked what it would mean to win the national championships JoJo commented; It would be a dream come true! The field of bowlers is great and making the podium would also be good. I just want to stay focused and play my own game, frame by frame

7 Mark Buffa "Special People" Some people hold a special place in our bowling community. Mark Buffa is a seven-time Team Canada member who has just returned from Reno where he and members of Team Canada 2013 are sitting in third place for the US Open Championships. Mark led the team and bowled a 300 game - the team bowled the fifth all-time high score. Mark moved into second place on Day 3 during the final squad of qualifying with a score of 1494, averaging 249. When asked about the previous days, Mark said; I didn t play the short pattern very well. I played safe and didn t take chances. I got mad at my dad, but apologized later. I just didn t take any risks. Today I took risks and tried different angles with confidence, and during the transition I made a couple of bad shots, but overall I made good choices. I like the new Kegel Fire oil, the scores maybe a little higher but I find it requires us, the bowlers, to be repetitive with our shot-making and I probably only moved about six boards today. The main difference I am seeing is the men didn t have to get into fifth arrow because of burn-out. I realize the short and long WTBA patterns drawn are the highest scoring patterns, but everyone has to repeat shots in order to score. Tomorrow I want to keep pace with the field, bowl my game, and be confident to take risks when needed. Day 4 Five Youth Men Qualify for Match Play (Strong Youth Presence Continued) With all five youth men bowlers qualifying for match play, the finals showcased an extra air of excitement. The boys were competing for positions within the youth team, all the while trying to make a position on the adult team. After the day was finished it was Mitch Hupé who accomplished a position on both the youth and adult teams. Gold medal winner for the youth team, and Youth Male Bowler of the Year, Mitch led the day for the youth and finished fourth on the adult team. He is joined on the Youth Team by Silver medalist Kevin Maurice, Bronze medalist Curtis Fach, fourth-place Francois Lavoie, and alternate, Anthony Carrier.

8 Three Youth Ladies Make it to Day 4 Match Play Three of the Youth Team Canada ladies competed in the match play finals of the Canadian National Championships. Once match play came to an end, it was Brittany Crawford winning Gold for Youth Team Canada 2014; Andreanne Blouin, Silver; and Miranda Panas, Bronze. Brittney Turcotte finished fourth and the alternate is Caitlin Tam. Miranda Panas also won the honour of Youth Female Bowler of the Year. Second Seniors Team Because the Seniors have two venues in 2013, two separate teams have been formed. Congratulation to the team that will be competing in Costa Rica for the Senior PABCON Championships: Women: Susan Grande, Debbie Ip, Lauraine Fast, Marion Marko Men: Claude LeBlanc, Michel Lesage, Donald Lee, Claude L Ecuyer Lagrange and Simard Win Gold! Caroline Lagrange won her fifth straight Canadian National Championships. To accomplish great things, athletes must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe. Lagrange believes, she is dedicated, and takes pride in achieving her personal goals. And her goal coming into the CNCs was to win five straight titles. "Goal Accomplished!" Joining Lagrange on Team Canada 2014 will be Silver medalist Jo-Ann Sanesac, Bronze medalist Valerie Calberry, Lynne Gauthier, Isabelle Rioux, and Samantha Wong-How. Two selections will also be added to the team and will be announced at a later date. For the second straight year, David Simard won the CNCs for the Men. Simard finished the first day in second place, but after day two, David took the lead and never relinquished it, to become a back-to-back National Champion. Joining David on the 2014 team will be Silver medalist Jonathan Simoneau, Bronze medalist Mark Buffa, Youth Gold medalist Mitch Hupé, Senior Gold medalist Ray Vervynck, and in sixth place, Brock Finch. Two selections will be added to the 2014 Adult Men's Team. The team will compete next year in Abu Dhabi,UAE, for the World Men's Championships.

9 Adult Ladies Team Canada 2014 L-R: Caroline Lagrange, Jo- Ann Sanesac, Valerie Calberry, Lynne Gauthier, Isabelle Rioux, Samantha Wong-How Adult Men Team Canada 2014 L-R: David Simard, Jonathan Simoneau, Mark Buffa, Mitch Hupé, Ray Vervynck, Brock Finch

10 Senior Ladies Team Canada 2014 L-R: France Joubert, Catherine Harvey, Sharon Tataryn, Jill Clendenning Friis, Debbie Ip, Lauraine Fast, Marion Marko Senior Men Team Canada 2014 L-R: Claude L'Ecuyer, Michel Lesage, Claude LeBlanc, Russel Serwetnyk, Jack Brace, Randy Kostenuk, Ray Vervynck (Missing from photo, Donald Lee).

11 Youth Girls Team Canada 2014 L-R Brittney Turcotte, Miranda Panas, Brittany Crawford, Andreanne Blouin (Missing from Photo Caitlin Tam) Youth Boys Team Canada 2014 L-R Mitch Hupé, Curtis Fach, Francois Lavoie, Anthony Carrier, (Missing from Photo Kevin Maurice)

12 Thank You to the GMTA The Greater Montreal Tenpin Bowling Association played host to this year s Canadian National Championships, at Laurentian Lanes. A successful event always has exceptional people working behind the scenes. The staff at Laurentian Lanes, the volunteers from the association, and the staff from the CTF all have to work together to pull off a smooth running championships, and for this year s event, everyone succeeded in doing so. Newly elected President, Patrick Baylis (R), took it upon himself to jump in and be at the centre daily to help out, giving up family time. When Randy Rose stepped down as President, he recommended Patrick as his replacement; no one was more surprised than Patrick when he heard his name. Learning on the go, and having Randy around as a mentor, he is coming into a comfort zone. He commented; We have a good board, we have a good mix of experienced board members and young guns passionately working together. Laurentian is our biggest centre and the staff has been excellent, we ve had a few small bumps but the overall feedback from the bowlers and supporters has been positive. I am honoured that the CTF continues to come to Montreal for the Canadian National Championships. From Howard Grundman, Owner of Laurentian Lanes I would like to extend congratulations to the CTF committee for a well-organized event, and to the bowlers for their high-level performance and sportsmanship. The Laurentian Lanes staff took great pride hosting this tournament and put in a huge effort to help make it successful. Thanks to everyone