Josie Durant has a lot to be excited about this summer.
The 18-year-old Norwell District Secondary School student attended the 2014 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Vancouver July 8 to 12 and came home with a gold and silver medal.
Durant was part of the Ontario five-pin bowling team, along with Elora’s Jessica Swanston. The team bowled 10 games, finishing only one point behind Manitoba, which took the gold.
Durant was also recognized for her individual achievements, holding the top bowling average in her division at 106. She also broke her personal record during the Olympics, once bowling a 171.
Durant has been bowling for six years in the high school life skills program at Molesworth Bowling Lanes and recently attended the provincial championships in Kingston, where she qualified to go to Vancouver.
She said she was, “a little nervous, but when I got there it was pretty good.”
Durant says the best part of bowling is all the friends she has made, noting she got close with her teammates during the trip.
“I hope the team can stay together and go again in four years,” she says.
While she was in Vancouver, Durant and her family got a chance to visit the Vancouver Aquarium in between her busy game schedule. She says they also became friends with one of the Alberta teams and went out to celebrate at the Spaghetti Factory after it was all over.
Durant plans to keep bowling this fall in Molesworth, along with some of the other activities that keep her busy, including in-line skating in Harriston and figure skating in Palmerston.
Durant’s trip to Vancouver was sponsored by many local businesses and friends including: the Elora Masons, Norwell District Secondary School, Palmerston Lions Club, Palmerston Legion, Edge Automotive, Molesworth Bowling Lanes, Wayne and Jeanette Zurbrigg, John and Helen Broadfoot, and Wes and Linda Alexander.
