SUMMERSIDE – It’s a special week for all Team P.E.I. members at the Special Olympics Canada 2018 bowling championships.
They not only have the opportunity to compete for national championships, but get to experience it on home soil.
“I have enjoyed it,” said Kevin Ramsay, 48. “I’m proud of how we have done.”
Click here for Wednesday's update on Team P.E.I's tenpin team:
Click here for Wednesday's update on Team P.E.I.'s fivepin team:
Ramsay, who is from Tyne Valley, is a member of Team P.E.I.’s tenpin team that is competing at Credit Union Place in Summerside and the Tyne Valley lanes. Ramsay opened the team competition on Wednesday with a three-game total of a very respectable 319 after scores of 95, 88 and 136 in the team competition. P.E.I.’s fivepin team is competing at Murphy’s Community Centre in Charlottetown.
“I had fun, and had lots of strikes,” said Ramsay, who added he was especially proud of his 136 score.
Wayne Dyment of Summerside is a teammate of Ramsay, Paul Phillips of Summerside and Jenna Smith of Ellerslie on P.E.I.'s tenpin team.
“It’s a very good experience,” Dyment told the Journal Pioneer in an interview on Wednesday night. “We did very well. We had three awesome scores.”
Dyment, 43, registered a 262 total after games of 82, 89 and 91.
Click here for story on Special Olympics Canada 2018 bowling championships underway:
Facts
Special Olympics’ bowling facts and figures:
Over 5,000 athletes are registered in tenpin bowling programs across the country.
Over 14,000 athletes are registered in fivepin bowling programs across the country.
Eighty per cent of the registered tenpin bowlers come from Ontario and Quebec.
Fivepin bowling is the second-most popular sport in Special Olympics across the country, just 100 registrants shy of the most popular sport – athletics.
Source: Special Olympics Canada.
Highlights
Although the event is only in its third day, there have been no shortages of highlights for Ramsay and Dyment.
“It’s great to meet other people, and it’s great to see other people,” said Dyment in explaining he loves meeting athletes from all across Canada. “I’m happy that they are here, and they like it here.”
Click here for photos from the opening ceremony:
For Ramsay, one moment that sticks out was Tuesday’s opening ceremony at UPEI.
“I liked the entertainment and music,” said Ramsay. “Lennie Gallant was my favourite.”
Wednesday’s opening day of competition attracted a full house at the Credit Union Place’s lanes. That support did not go unnoticed by Ramsay and Dyment.
“It’s great to have the people here cheering you on,” added Dyment.
Click here for story setting up Special Olympics Canada 2018 bowling championships:
With the team competition concluded, Ramsay and Dyment will team up in doubles on Thursday afternoon. Smith and Phillips will also compete in doubles while all four members of Team P.E.I. will compete in individual play on Friday.
The event will conclude at Credit Union Place on Saturday. The tenpin medal ceremonies are scheduled for 9 a.m., with the closing ceremonies set to go at 7 p.m.
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