It was the first time going solo on the national stage for Michael Pelechaty, and the experience didn’t disappoint.
The Prince Albert bowler took home bronze at the Master Bowlers of Canada 2026 National Championship, which wrapped up on July 3 in Hamilton, Ont. Pelechaty said he was grateful for the support of mentors, coaches, and family who helped him get to the podium.
“Competing at that level at nationals, against the top bowlers in the country, is indescribable,” he said. “It’s remarkable being with that calibre of players. Of course, you watch those guys when you’re growing up. You kind of keep an eye on them and think ‘oh, I would love to play with them some day.’ To be able to do that at 23-years-old was really cool.”
This was Pelechaty’s third time representing Saskatchewan at the National Championship, but his first time in the singles competition. On the previous two occasions he was part of the five-bowler team competition. Playing the singles game was a challenge, but one he welcomed.
“It was definitely different,” Pelechaty said. “You don’t have anyone else to lean on. It’s just you on the lane. You’re either going to … struggle by yourself or you’re going to do really well by yourself. When you do well it’s obviously really rewarding.”
Pelechaty qualified for the national tournament after finishing with the top combined score from the four-tournament Saskatchewan qualifier. After arriving in Hamilton, Pelechaty and bowlers from seven other provinces competed in a 21-game round robin competition.
Pelechaty finished the round robin portion in second after winning 13 of his 21 games with an average score of 259. His best game came against Quebec’s Julien Nadeau, which Pelechaty won 315-256.
He entered the final day of competition in a three-way tie with Manitoba’s Colton Youzwa and Newfoundland and Labrador’s Connor Berbin. With seven games remaining, Pelechaty rattled off six straight wins to secure his spot in the final three stepladder.
A loss in the semi-final meant Pelechaty had no chance to play for gold. Berbin would go on to win the tournament, with Southern Ontario’s Di Villeneuve coming in second.
While he was disappointed, Pelechaty was also proud of his play.
“In the semi-final match, of course, it was hard to stay present and stay composed and keep the eye on the prize,” he said. “I ran into a hot player shooting a 400 against me in the first game. It was hard to bounce back from that, but once it was all said and done I was extremely happy and proud to get the bronze medal.
The National Championship marks the end of the 2025-26 bowling season. Pelechaty plans to take some time off before getting back in the bowling alley in September.
“(I’m) just going to take a month off for myself and enjoy the bronze medal and prepare myself for the next season.”
@kerr_jas • jason.kerr@paherald.sk.ca
