Stamarski rolls home with bronze

Rick Stamarski didn’t play his best, but he’s not about to hand back his medal.
He just wishes he had been on the bench rather than on the mark.
“There’s great satisfaction in being able to coach,” said Stamarski, who joined his teammates on the Northern Ontario men’s teaching team to win the bronze medal at the Masters bowling nationals in Gatineau, Que. June 28-July 3.
“I’d rather (win a medal) as a coach. I love coaching. But it’s great getting a medal. It’s not easy to do.”
Stamarski joined fellow Plaza Lanes bowler Bob Petawanaqueb at the nationals, where Petawanaqueb and his men’s scratch singles team from Northern Ontario came in seventh.
Sporting a healthy 210 average entering his fourth nationals (three as a player, one as a coach), Stamarski only managed a 202 average during the week.
“It was a little under what I can do, but it was enough,” he said. “You never know what you’ll get in terms of competition until you get there. Everyone who makes it that far is pretty equal. It’s just a matter of whomever gets hot at the right time.”
Now Stamarski’s sights are set firmly on next year’s nationals, which will be held in the friendly atmosphere of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
“Gatineau was the furthest east I’ve ever been,” he said. “I’m really hoping to make it next year so I can go see the east coast.”
Shoe scuffle
Petawanaqueb was also looking for a podium finish in Quebec, but was sidetracked by a footwear fiasco.
“A piece fell off of my slider early in the week, and when you put rubber onto wood, it doesn’t slide,” explained Petawanaqueb, who plummeted to a 212 average for his 21 games for the week from his usual mark of 248.
“I had to change my whole style because my shoes were sticking to the lanes. I tried to use a rental pair, but I couldn’t get a pair to fit me comfortably. Next year, I’ll make sure I have two pairs of shoes.”
Petawanaqueb did manage a high game of 282 in his third nationals appearance, and his first on the scratch team.
“We knew going in that Northern Ontario wasn’t that competitive in this category, but we tried our best,” he said, adding it was special that he had the opportunity to compete in the nationals in the event’s debut in Quebec.
“We got to tour the (nearby) Ottawa area, and see the Parliament buildings and walk along the Ottawa River,” said Petawanaqueb, who only had one complaint about his eastern road trip.
“We got to see the Canada Day fireworks in Ottawa. But, honestly, it was pretty disappointing. For the nation’s capital, I thought it would have been better.”