Hat’s MacDonald captures pair of silver medals

Medicine Hat’s Mitch MacDonald is going to have to make room in his trophy case for

another medal.

With games of 162, 123, and 165 pins, MacDonald added another silver medal to his collection, finishing runner-up Friday in the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games singles’ 10-pin bowling competition at Panorama Lanes.

Earlier this week, MacDonald was part of the Alberta entry that won a silver in the team

competition.

As a result, MacDonald is the only Hatter to win more than one medal, but the collection of silverware is not paramount in the athlete’s mind. His approach to competition is spearheaded by his desire to “challenge myself, meet new friends and have a reunion with my Team Canada athletes.” The medals are nice, he said, and the feeling of accomplishment is real, but the non-

metallic ancillary benefits mean more to him. “For me it really doesn’t matter about medals,” said MacDonald. “It’s all about the competition.”

MacDonald has been bowling seriously since 2012. He has an impressive average of 156 and a personal best single-game score of 230, fashioned in a mini tournament in Lethbridge. “I went from 132 average a couple of years ago to 156,” he said with pride.

While he definitely enjoys seeing the pins falling at the end of the lane, MacDonald said he gets more enjoyment out of challenging himself, meeting new friends and “getting out and interacting.” In other words, he pinpoints the social aspect of the game as more important than winning competitions. Silver medals are still nice to receive, though, he said.

Friends, family and his coaches have been tremendous supports to him, said MacDonald.

“The coaches have been amazing,” he said.

MacDonald is not a one-trick pony when it comes to athletics. He also takes part in golf,

bocce and floor ball, but he had to pick one sport to concentrate on for the Games and, judging by the two medals hanging around his neck, his choice of bowling was astute.

To prepare for the Games, MacDonald said he’s been practising two hours a week. He plays in one league, on Thursday nights.

While occasionally glancing at the two silver medals will bring back memories of this special week for MacDonald, he said what he will remember the most is “everything . . . all the support, all the friends I made. It’s been a wonderful week.”

— story by Bruce Penton, Special Olympics Canada Summer Games