Manitoba makes tenpin history

In the final frame of her semifinal match, bowler Marissa Naylor-McCall needed to strike and mark to advance and defend her title as Winnipeg’s tenpin champion.

No stranger to pressure, Naylor-McCall executed, winning by two points to earn a spot in the final.

Naylor-McCall made history last year as the first woman to win the Marinelli City Singles Championship in its 65-year history. Fast forward to March 9, she repeated as Winnipeg’s tenpin champion — one day after International Women’s Day.

“It was a really proud feeling in a sense, but also nerve-racking,” she said. “I felt like I was carrying the weight of all the women in the bowling community on my shoulders because it was International Women’s Day.”

Naylor-McCall said she’d been throwing well all day, trusting in her practice and cruising to victory in the final.

“My game has been on a level that I personally haven’t seen in a long time,” she said. “So I think it’s just been riding that high for the past few months.”

Earlier this year, Naylor-McCall was named to Team Canada’s roster for the fifth time. The veteran bowler is one of five Manitobans selected for this year’s national team — another provincial record.

Among those named was 23-year old Kristen Jolly, joining the women’s national team for the first time.

Jolly is a seven-time provincial youth champion, winning her first in 2015. Accolades aside, Jolly said she’s thankful for everything bowling has given her.

“It kind of just brought us all together in a way I can’t really describe,” she said. “These people are my friends, they’re my family — they’re my everything.”

Jolly started bowling at five years old at LaVérendrye Bowling Lanes with her grandfather, Loren Jolly, one of Naylor-McCall’s first coaches. She said Manitoba’s tight-knit bowling community enriched her love for the sport.

“It’s given me the best experiences of my life,” said Jolly. “It’s brought me to my best friends, the love of my life… it’s just surrounded me with some really great people.”

That love of her life is partner Israel Potter. Jolly and Potter grew up together on the lanes, and have been together for nearly four years. This year, both were named to Team Canada for the first time.

“It’s great to be able to experience all of this together,” said Jolly. “We’re looking forward to a great year ahead and hopefully we both get selected to go somewhere.”

A bowling power couple, both Potter and Jolly dominated the province’s bowling scene, showing no signs of slowing. Potter said he loves getting to bowl and compete with his partner.

“We get to go to a ton of tournaments together, so it’s great getting to travel with her,” Potter said. “It’s definitely impacted my life greatly and it’s been awesome.”

Potter grew up in Brandon, bowling at T-Birds before moving to Winnipeg. Then a multi-sport athlete, Potter said he found his passion for bowling during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he grew tremendously through practicing at home.

“That’s when I started to take it a lot more seriously,” said Potter. “That’s when I really started practicing.”

Potter’s happy to be part of the national team, but his chances of competing aren’t guaranteed.

There are only two events on the docket for the men’s national team this year, the International Bowling Federation (IBF) World Cup in April and the PANAM Champion of Champions tournament early next year.

Potter’s one of eight bowlers on the men’s roster. Only four will be sent to the IBF World Cup and two to the PANAM tournament.

“You want to compete… you want to represent your country,” said Potter. “So I’m just still working hard and trying to get as good as I can, hoping to get selected.”

Like Jolly, Potter’s trophy room is full of accolades, including eight provincial awards in 2024. As he sets his sights on the world stage, the 22-year-old said his competitive spirit has been a factor in his success.

“When I come out to a tournament, I just want to win,” said Potter. “I don’t really look at the money, I don’t look at anything else. I just want to win. I love winning.”

Another up-and-coming star in the province is Winnipeg’s Chase McVicar, who qualified for Team Canada’s youth roster. McVicar and Potter were teammates on the provincial youth team. McVicar, 15, said Potter’s approach helped inspire his game.

“He was the person I wanted to be,” said McVicar. “I wanted to be that guy who was winning every tournament.”

McVicar has been bowling since he was a toddler. A nine-time provincial youth champion, he’s also the youngest Manitoban to record a perfect game. Last year he broke another record at the Wyoming Junior Bowlers Tour, winning the U21 championship as a 14-year old.

Entering a new chapter, McVicar said he’s taking nothing for granted.

“Oh man, I don’t think anything could prepare me for this next step,” he said. “Talking to some of my teammates, the biggest thing that prepared them was experience at the tournament.”

A champion at every level he’s competed in, McVicar’s taking a humble approach to this new opportunity.

“Having that experience against some much better bowlers than me, I think it will help,” he said.

McVicar will compete in the IBF World Youth Championships in Sarawak, Malaysia, this summer. He said he and his dad can’t wait to try some local cuisine.

“My father and I are hugely into that southeast Asian food,” McVicar said, laughing. “I’m kind of excited for the food there.”

Winnipeg’s Mitch Hupé was named to Team Canada’s men’s roster for the 12th time. A three-time Canadian Adult Male Bowler of the Year, Hupé has medalled 13 times with the men’s team, bringing a wealth of experience to the table.

The five bowlers named to Team Canada mark a record-high for the province, accounting for 25 per cent of the adult roster. Naylor-McCall said she’s proud to be a part of history.

“I think we’re proving a big point that Manitoba can really compete at the Team Canada level,” she said. “We have a lot of talent here that deserves to be seen — deserves to be recognized.”

Naylor-McCall is an advocate for Manitoba’s bowling community, playing a big role in growing the sport. However, some recent personal news makes this celebration bittersweet.

Last week, Naylor-McCall learned she’s moving out of province, following husband Darren who’s been re-stationed to a military base in Trenton, Ont.

“Military life is real,” said Naylor-McCall. “My husband is absolutely incredible at what he does in the military, so I’m going to support him just like he supports me.”

While sad to leave her hometown, Naylor-McCall — who has ambitions to join the Professional Women’s Bowling Association Tour — is hopeful the move will provide more opportunity to grow her career.

A vital part of Manitoba’s bowling history, she said she’ll never leave her home behind.

“I think we’re just really proud to be from Manitoba… home is always in the prairies,” she said. “It’s not going to be a gone forever — it’s going to be a, ‘See you soon.’”

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