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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-08-19, Page 33Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - Page A33 Ryan newest national champ in junior lawn bowls Gerard signal -star staff A national success story with local roots, 16 -year-old Kaitlin Ryan of Kitchener is a Canadian champion in the sport of lawn bowls. Ryan recently returned from the junior na- tional competition in Saskatoon where she played another Ontario bowler, Stephanie Miller, to a 21-18 come -from -behind finish in the final round to make it an undefeated tour- nament appearance. "It feels pretty great," she said. "I still can't get over it;' This is the first gold medal for the junior bowler, who placed second in the provincial playdowns for the past two years as well as at the Ontario Summer Games in Ottawa last year. "I've gotten silver three years in a row and I've finally gotten gold," she said. • Prior to her national victory, Ryan finished first at the Ontario Junior championships in Peterborough in June. This national gold medal is a major achievement for her on her first competition out of the province. Kaitlin credits her uncle, Lee Ryan of God- erich, with getting her started in the sport. "I used to go watch him when I was little," she said. 1 thought it looked really interest- ing. I had no idea how to do it and it looked so different from any other sport. I wanted to try it." When she first started, there was a big learning curve for Kaitlin to get over, espe- cially, she said, learning the weight of the bowls themselves. "I ) didn't realize there was two different weights to the bowl," she said of her first game ever played. "It went way, off. I had to learn to hold it right, throw it properly. There is a lot more to it than what it looks Sports camps a hit with kids From page 29 Most of the kids, she said are between the ages of six and 12 years old, however the golf and horseback riding camp took in kids between eight and 14. She said an early start helped fill up spots, especially in programs like Learn to Skate. "Overall, I would say we started registration pretty early this year," she said. "The popular camps filled up before registration was even done." She said the sports camps and science camps were the first to fill up, and next week, Mad Science of London will be in town for Explorers' Camp. She said the kids have been a mix of locals and out-of-towners. "From what I've seen, we have a lot of cot- tagers, their grandchildren will be here," she said. "London, Toronto, Whitby... all over the per.' Wei said there are many special -needs kids involvedin the programs ks well, as well as a partnership with Huron Respite. Next year's lineup of programs is not yet though with numbers on the rise, she said there will definitely be much to do at the next summer as welt. ,„ Bowls are heavier on one side than the oth- er, allowing for curved shots to get as close to the jack - the white target ball - as possible. A bowler can throw runners to get the other bowls out or wicks to hit off another bowl and go straight to the jack. Meeting people from across Canada has been a great experience for Kaitlin, who said she hopes to compete in the world under -25 championships next year in Australia. At only 16, Ryan would need an exception to play in the normally 19-25 age bracket, as well as some practice. She said taking on older players presented a bigger challenge for her. "I kind of got my butt kicked," she laughed. "They have more experience." Kaitlin and Lee Ryan will be competing together next week at an anniversary tourna- ment at the Seaforth bowling green. Photo contributed Kaitlin Ryan (right) carne from behind to take the national bowls competition in Saskatoon. Accord EXd modelCP25891N ACCORD CIVIC $25,290 $SRP FOR ACCORD LX $16,990 MSRP' FOR CIVIC DX SEDAN M $298"x2.9%$ 1E 1 M PER MONTH FOR 48 MONTHS WITH 83.438 DOWN PER MONTH FOR 48 MONTHS WITH 82,787 DOWN ON APPROYED'CREDIT . ©e CivicQ ON APPROVED CREDIT AUGUST BONUS $� 000y DOLLARS wro � MST SLUING CAN NI CANADA 11 YtA $ IN A Now Civic EX• . Sedan model FA1 S09INX CR -I/ EX -I_ model RE48791N CR -V $27,790 $SRP FOR CR -V LX "FASAPR""$298%2.9°'°` PER MONTH FOR 48 MONTHS WITH 8,345 DOWN ON APPROVED CREDIT AUGUST BONUS $1 500 DOLLARS v Every Honda delivers long-term satisfaction: • affordable, reliable transportation • advanced safety • low cost of ownership • the highest residual value° • a fun -to -drive experience gliliiii WW1 "lglEA A147-11 EiRS Xaf gE�d gRifig 11114141 6im Rlpi i44111 gigirgdul 0491/1-11 1%4410 0.11:1214 IRmili Fill digit giligli PIN% 151101 111=. -1121P WW1 149111u; 4411'2 ji sni hiptil:11 ity,gt -j1IiiiI! IhtHiiiI