A high school student from Stettler will represent her home province at a national youth bowling championship in Ontario in May.
Nicole Philpot, 17, a Grade 12 student at William E. Hay Composite High School, was part of the team that won the provincial five-pin bowling championships, held at Calgary’s Paradise Lines on Sunday, Feb. 22.
She, her teammates — Kayla Lamoureux, Courtney Miller and Shae Lanovaz — and coach Len Madarash will travel to Oshawa, Ont., to compete in the Four Steps to Stardom national tournament from May 1 to 5.
“It was really crazy,” said Philpot, who has been bowling since the age of two-and-a-half and joined the Four Steps program at age eight.
“I’ve always wanted to play in nationals.”
The daughter of Dave and Darlene Philpot of Stettler, Nicole has competed in provincials for seven of the last nine years.
She competes through Youth Bowling Canada (YBC) at a centre in Sherwood Park, as well as locally through the Wednesday night adult cash league at Heartland Bowl, where she is the youngest team captain in the league’s history.
“Through the years I’ve made a whole lot of friends from all over the place,” said Philpot, adding that she’s looking forward to doing that on a national level this spring.
Philpot and her team came in first place in zones, where she bowled a 245 average. She continued this high level of play at provincials, bowling a 241 average.
“You have to be fierce, because you’re bowling against the best of the best,” said her mother, Darlene. “They’ve had to be at the peak of their game . . . They couldn’t have an off day, they couldn’t blink.”
While YBC formerly provided financial support to youth competing at a national level, Darlene noted that this is no longer the case, and that they will have to raise about $1,500 to cover Nicole’s travel, accommodation and meals.
“We, as parents now, are responsible for fundraising,” said Darlene, adding that they plan to canvas local businesses and organizations to raise support for the trip. “We’re going to get her there.”
Darlene also said this marks the first time in decades that a Stettler youth has gone on to compete in nationals.
Philpot’s skill in the lane has also paid off financially, as on Feb. 22 she was presented with a $1,000 scholarship from YBC.
The application process included submitting an essay, filling out forms and providing letters of reference.
Philpot’s references included Heartland Bowl owner Bob Gallaugher and Gail Benjamin, volunteer co-ordinator at Stettler Hospital and Care Centre.
Philpot said she is still unsure as to her future plans, as she hopes to pursue either teaching or nursing, but added that the scholarship funds will come in handy either way.