Incredi-bowl trio roll into Reno

Donning his Team Canada bowling jersey for the very first time this weekend, Winnipeg’s Rodell Bautista feels mixed emotions.

Bautista is one of three Manitobans representing Canada at the International Bowling Federation World Seniors Championships in Reno, Nev. — joining Manitoba Bowling Hall of Fame inductee Lynne Gauthier and former national team coach Earl Sobotkiewicz.

Since he could walk, bowling has been a big part of Bautista’s life. His father, Rudy Bautista, played a significant role in growing the sport in the province’s Filipino community. He coached Bautista and his two siblings to multiple youth provincial championships.

“He was a huge part of my bowling life,” said Bautista, now 50. “He’s kind of the reason why I’m here.”

After high school, Bautista took a step back from competitive bowling. Since then, he’s bowled once a week in his father’s Millenium League on Sundays at Chateau Lanes.

A couple years ago, Bautista’s father asked him if he’d consider returning to high-level bowling.

“He knew that the national championships were in Winnipeg,” said Bautista. “He specifically pulled me aside and said, ‘hey, it would be really great if you competed in nationals and tried to make the team.’”

After a strong showing at the nationals in June, for the first time in his life, Bautista is representing his country on the world stage. But he will compete without his lifelong coach in the stands. Rudy Bautista passed away in March, at age 77.

“We were just bowling buddies,” said Bautista. “The last 20 years of bowling for me has just been good quality time with my parents.”

As he transitions back into a more competitive environment, Bautista leans on his father’s advice — something that helped give him the edge at nationals.

“The last day of competition, I needed to step up,” said Bautista. “I could hear my dad in my ear saying, ‘just suck it up and go bowl’… that’s the attitude I took into the last day.’”

It’s been a full-circle moment for Bautista and his family, who have rallied around each other since his father’s death. Bautista said his family’s support has been instrumental in his journey back to competitive bowling.

“My whole family now bowls Sunday afternoon,” said Bautista. “My three daughters, my son, my mom, my sister — who competed with me when she was 14 and hadn’t picked up a bowing ball in 40 years — she’s bowling again in honour of my dad.”

Bautista has been bowling alongside his Manitoba teammates Gauthier and Sobotkiewicz for more than 40 years. He specifically remembers attending the same school as Sobotkiewicz, who played running back for the Sisler Spartans football team.

“(Sobotkiewicz) was kind of that guy,” said Bautista. “He’s always been kind of someone to look up to — same with (Gauthier).”

Bautista and Sobotkiewicz are both attending their first IBF World Championship tournament as bowlers, but Sobotkiewicz is no stranger to this tournament.

Sobotkiewicz began coaching Team Canada in 2015 under the mentor program — taking over fulltime in 2017. He said that experience is helping him to keep a cool head in Reno.

“I’ve been in this environment with the team before, so I know what to expect,” said Sobotkiewicz. “I know the format, I know how it works, nothing is going to surprise me.”

Sobotkiewicz said focusing on his game alone, rather than analyzing each player’s shots like he would as a coach, helps take some pressure off.

“Go with the process, it’s one good shot at a time,” said Sobotkiewicz. “My next shot I’m throwing — whether it’s a strike, or a spare — is my most important shot.”

Gauthier was quick to praise her teammate in Sobotkiewicz, who still coaches Gauthier at home.

“Earl has put so much time and effort into his game over the years,” said Gauthier. “It is really wonderful to see him compete on the world stage — and to wear the Maple Leaf on his back as a competitor.”

Gauthier has yet to win a gold medal at the IBF Worlds, but isn’t letting that distract her from her main focus.

“My goal is to represent my country to the best of my ability,” she said. “If that translates into a medal, then wonderful.”

Gauthier grew up walking to Northgate Lanes with her brothers from their Garden City home. She wound up a 16-time Manitoba Female Bowler of the Year and has won four gold medals, three silvers and two bronze at the international level.

In 2022, Gauthier had to step away from bowling to take on a new challenge — leukemia.

Gauthier withdrew from the 2023 IBF Worlds in Columbia to fight leukemia, which she has since beaten. She said the fight back to health detracted her from developing her bowling game.

“My health has been a bit up and down since then,” she said. “To be perfectly honest, I haven’t bowled as much as I had wanted too.”

Gauthier, who met her husband, Paul, at a bowling alley, she said without him or their son, Evan, she wouldn’t have been able to pursue the sport she’s loved since she was young.

“Having that kind of support made it way easier to do,” she said. “Had we not had that support system, I probably couldn’t have done what I did.”

No matter what she decides, Gauthier is grateful for everything bowling has provided her over the years. Her talents have allowed her to see the world and build lasting relationships — something that resonates with all three Manitoban bowlers.

“I think it gives me the perspective of what’s truly important in life. It’s the experiences, and the memories, and the moments,” said Gauthier.

The tournament begins Friday with singles competition, and concludes on Oct. 22.