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Lakecity bowlers throw strikes for nationals berths

Two Williams Lake bowlers are on their way to a national championship.
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Williams Lake’s Kevin McAlpine won the singles competition Easter Weekend at the BC Provincial Open Championships in Prince George earning him a berth at nationals, coming up in Sudbury, Ont. May 30 and June 1. He was also a part of the BC North team, which also won a gold to qualify for nationals. Alex Airey of Williams Lake was one of five players on the BC North team to win a gold medal at the BC Provincial Open Championships. He’ll be travelling to Sudbury, Ont. to compete at nationals as part of the team.

Two lakecity bowlers are on their way to the National Open Championships in Sudbury, Ont. May 30 and June 1.

Kevin McAlpine defeated Vancouver Island’s Steve Cummings to bring home a gold medal from the BC Provincial Open Championships in Prince George Easter Weekend, earning him a berth at nationals.

He was also a part of the BC North team, alongside fellow Williams Lake bowler Alex Airey, and helped lift the five-player team to another gold medal at provincials and a nationals berth.

“In the (singles) final I had to bowl three matches,” he said. “The important two last games I bowled a 255 and a 260 and thought I bowled pretty well.”

It was the second time he’d faced off against Cummings at the tournament. He said in the first match he won handily, however, the final proved to be tougher.

“He needed three strikes (in the 10th) and left the corner pin,” McAlpine said.

“The singles event was a lot more nerve-racking and stressful than the team event.”

At nationals, McAlpine said he hopes to give a good showing.

“I’m looking to do pretty well,” McAlpine said. “It’s a long ways to go to not do very well.”

He added the last time he qualified for a national championship was when he was just 11 years old. The 34-year-old said he was five when he started bowling.

As for the team event, McAlpine and Airey joined another player from 100 Mile House and three others from Prince George to form the winning squad.

Airey said day one was hard for the team all being from different cities.

“On the second day we bonded and really worked and supported each other,” Airey said. “We won all five games the second day boosting us from the bottom of the pack up to second. Then on the third day we knew we would have to win both matches to have a clean shot at qualifying for first and we lost the first game.”

He explained the team then rallied back to win its second game versus the No. 1-ranked team putting them in first place.

“In the step ladder (finals) we just kept the momentum going and rallied as a team and got the win,” he said. “I was beyond excited that our team won one of the most elite tournaments there is in B.C., qualifying us for the most elite bowling tournament in all of Canada.”

Airey added he was happy with how he bowled, noting it was his first year competing at the provincial tournament.

“I didn’t start off too well, but on the second and third days I found my groove and started hitting the middle and getting better scores,” he said. “The best part of the tournament for me was being a part of this team and competing against the best bowlers in B.C.”

And just like McAlpine, Airey said he’s looking forward to nationals.

“I’m very excited for Kevin, as well as the team competition.”



Greg Sabatino

About the Author: Greg Sabatino

Greg Sabatino graduated from Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops with a Bachelor of Journalism degree in 2008.
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