YBC 4 Steps to Stardom bowling tournament held last weekend

Local YBC Junior Boy Bowlers off to Provincials March 4, 2012 

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice
Updated with new information, Feb. 16, 2012

Coach Elliott oversees his team
T. Lucas photo

The YBC 4 Steps to Stardom  Tournament finished February 5, 2012 in alleys all across Alberta.  Some of our young Pincher Creek  bowlers went to other towns and cities to participate. Chinook Junior Boys went to Holiday Bowl in Lethbridge, and made the grade to move forward in the standings.  Marcel Levecque, Joey Jackson, Tristen Starzyk, and Travis Dyer will be in YBC Provincials being held in Edmonton on March 4, 2012.  These four boys came in fourth out of the 4 Steps to Stardom Tournament, with  total pins of 3233 out of four games.


Janine Jackson has been coaching these boys for the last four years. She got into coaching because two on this team are related to her, and they needed a coach. Jackson said that "the boys all listened, which is amazing, and they put everything they had into this.  It took three days to sink in that we are going to Provincials.  I am so proud of them."

Travis Dyer was excited, and is the only team member that knows what they are in for.  He went to Provincials last year, as a single player and came within 7 points of making it to Nationals.  Dyer reminisced that "Provincials is much more tense than Zones."

Marcel Levecque, Tristen Strazyk, Janine Jackson,
Travis Dyer, and Joey Jackson
T. Lucas photo

Tristen Starzyk is excited, and a little nervous about all the attention.  He remarked "this is the first time in years that we (Chinook Lanes YBC Teams) have gone to Provincials as teams."  All the boys are ecstatic about their standings and are looking forward to their new adventure.

Michel Hanson (rear), Kullen Molano,
Trent Dyer, and Wayne Elliott
T. Lucas photo

Coach Wayne Elliott and his three young bowlers Kullen Molano, Trent Dyer,  and Michel Hanson  stayed in Pincher Creek, bowling at Chinook Lanes.  They were joined by teams from Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and Taber.  The Pincher players ranged in experience from this being their first tournament to having a few years and tourneys under their belts.  "Our boys finished in third," said Elliott. "I was very proud of the composure and class they displayed at the tournament. They hung in right to the end, and even picked it up a notch. They were a pleasure to coach and be associated with."

Murray Adair was the official Judge of Play during the tournament for the alley.  He was there for any score corrections and "to keep the play fair and honest."

This is Kullen Molano's first tournament.  He was in Dino Kids last last year, but now that he is in Bantams, he is eligible for tournaments.

Coach Dave Purcell was down with Sam, Austin, and Drew from Holiday Bowl in Lethbridge.  "This is my first time as coach in a tournament, I just got my coaching ticket.  The boys are all really excited," he said.

Tammi Haldon and Shania
T. Lucas photo

Tammi Haldon was coaching Shania from Lethbridge.  Shania (long straight hair) at thirteen has recently picked bowling up again, having not done it for the last few years.  "I'm really doing well today, compared to how I usually bowl," said Haldon.  "The lanes have been good."

Local teams in other facilities that participated were:
Marcel Levecque 825, Joey Jackson 919, Tristen Starzyk 804, and Travis Dyer 685, with a total pins of 3233.

• Senior Boys: Sean Soanes 900, Andrew Janzen 825, Brock Lagrandeur 763, Zakary Nazarek 671.
• Junior Girls:  Lexie Lagrandeur 655, Parker Starzyk 616, Krystah Franko 623, Piper Starzyk 665.
• Bantam Girls:  Shyanne Samford 489, Mya Citrigno 532, Mackenzie Meaney 384, Beyonce Crowshoe 498.
• Bantam Boys:  Richard Lagrandeur 427, Connor Donovan, 284, Gage Starzyk 307, Justin Schweb 360.