Mikaylie Wallace bursts with pride over throwing strikes at nationals.
“It’s an honour because you made it this far and you really tried your best and now you’re representing your province,” said Wallace, who is returning to the Youth Bowl Canada fivepin championship in girls' doubles.
Wallace, 11, will be joined by junior teammate Danielle Hahn, the senior girls’ team duo of Kayle Mak and Teagan Makar and bantam Rebecca Hahn in singles as provincial champions from the St. Albert Bowling & Rec Centre competing at the 54th annual YBC tournament next weekend in Regina.
“It’s going to be fun,” said Rebecca, 10, who attended last year’s nationals in Gatineau, Quebec with Wallace in bantam doubles and in 2015 was a peewee-age bowler on a bantam team.
“I really enjoyed interacting with people from other places,” said the Grade 5 Keenoshayo School student.
The goal “is to medal,” said Rebecca, who sports a 160 average. “I really enjoy bowling.”
Rebecca’s sister, Danielle, is returning to nationals after a tension-filled junior provincials.
“We had to do a roll off at the end and that was like so much pressure,” said the Grade 8 Lorne Akins School student.
The game plan for Danielle, 14, and Wallace is to ”bowl our best and get high averages,” said Danielle, who is averaging 160 per game.
Wallace believes they can compete for a medal.
“I would like for us to try and go for first but if second and third come our way I'm fine with that too,” said the Grade 6 Father Jan School student.
The duo lean on each other for support.
“Danielle is like, ‘What’s my form like?’ And I will be like, ‘Well, you could work on this and this and this and were your legs correct,” said Wallace, a 152 average bowler. “She will cheer me on and I will cheer her on and we’ll high-five each other.”
“Mikaylie is like a second coach. She's really funny too. She’s a good partner,” Danielle added.
Wallace and Rebecca just missed out on a medal last year in what was Wallace’s national debut.
“This time you’re not like stressed because you know what this is like. There is lots of yelling, lots of cheering and you kind of get used to that after awhile,” Wallace said.
Mak, 15, is attending her third nationals in a row and the fourth since 2014.
“I really enjoy talking to the other teams and making new friends,” Mak said. “Last year I made friends with all the singles and we actually all still keep in touch and we’re all going to have dinner at nationals this year.”
Mak finished sixth in junior singles after previous national appearances bowling with teammates.
“I was really happy with day one but I’m not so pleased with day two or three. I feel like I wasn't focused and not there mentally,” said Mak, who bowls a 200 average. “Now I’ve become more consistent which I’m very happy about.”
As for singles, “I really like it but it's very stressful because everything is pinned on you but if you’re in doubles it feels kind of like some of the weight is lifted off because you and your partner both have to carry the weight. It’s more team dynamic and you feel like not as alone.”
Mak has high hopes for a podium finish at nationals.
“We want to medal at Regina because Teagan and I have never actually medalled at nationals,” said the Grade 10 Paul Kane High School student.
Makar is another multiple provincial champion at the junior level who enjoys the camaraderie of nationals.
“It’s definitely all about making new friends. It’s really cool to meet new people who bowl at your level and see how they perform,” said the Grade 11 Jasper Place High School student. "It’s serious but the having fun aspect really helps you perform better.
"Also, putting your all into practice makes you perform better at tournaments like nationals so you take practice more serious.”
Makar, 17, has an “unspoken communication” bond with Mak.
“Definitely being close friends helps. We’re there for each other when we both get down. We can pick each other back up and be like we need to get back on track and we can still do this. It’s definitely a key component because if you don't mix well you don’t perform together,” said Makar, who rolls with a 245 average.
