Athletes get proper sendoff

By Ryan McCracken on May 8, 2018.

rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken

Eight local athletes are gearing up for the Special Olympics Canada Bowling Championships in Prince Edward Island later this month, and they got a proper sendoff Saturday afternoon at the Elks Lodge.

Friends, family and supporters stopped by the lodge to wish the seven bowlers and one powerlifter luck while signing a few cards of well wishes and congratulatory remarks for what 5-pin bowler Sinjin Soper says is sure to be a thrilling trip to Charlottetown.

“It’s going to be exciting and fun,” said Soper. “I’m just hoping we all do well and try our best.”

While Soper and six other bowlers will make the trip out to the national bowling championship in just over a week, local powerlifter Christine Sullivan will have to wait until July for her chance on the national stage. Sullivan will represent the Gas City at the official Special Olympics Summer Games alongside coach Pat Enns, and says she’s hoping to continue working her way up the Special Olympics ladder.

“I just hope I can make it to the next level, but I’m not quite sure. I’m just going to go have fun and enjoy it,” said Sullivan, adding she will be eying some personal best lifts in Nova Scotia. “That’s what I want to do.”

While all eight will represent their hometown and province at the Games, local 10-pin bowler Chuck MacDonald has been chosed to carry Alberta’s flag into the opening ceremony.

“I just found out in February … Everybody got drawn for it and my name came up,” said MacDonald, adding he likes the challenge of 10-pin. “The ball is really heavy to bowl but I like it. I’ve done it for three years.”

The Special Olympics Canada Bowling Championships will run from May 14-20 in Charlottetown.

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