Hodder places fourth at national tournament

Kelsie Hodder was just barely shut out of the medals at the YBC Nationals Bowling Competition in Gatineau, Que. earlier this month.

The 10-year-old bowler from Margaree held a spot in the top three right through the three-day tournament. On the final day, there was a three-way tie for third in her bantam category between Kelsie and players from Northern Ontario and Southern Ontario.

In a playoff, Kelsie bowled a 218, putting her ahead of the Southern Ontario player but behind the competitor from Northern Ontario.

Overall, she finished fourth in Canada. YBC Canada has 18,000 bowlers across Canada, with only 300 travelling to the national competition.

Kelsie and her parents, Darren and Trudy Hodder, said they had a wonderful time in the Ottawa region. Their Member of Parliament, Judy Foote, arranged a tour of the Parliament building. The family also took a horse-and-buggy tour of the capital city.

"I was just excited to be there," said Kelsie of the tournament. She added she was proud of her accomplishment.

Kelsie's friends were proud as well, and they showed it at a pep rally held in her honor on Wednesday morning after she returned home. After driving around town with police and fire department escorts, the students of St. James Elementary gathered in the gym to congratulate Kelsie and local figure skater Katie LeRiche, who won a silver medal at the Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games earlier this year.

Both students received St. James Elementary Super Athlete Awards in front of their peers.

reporter@gulfnews.ca