They may not have been packing any medals with them as they stepped off the plane, but the Yukon bowling team did return home with the knowledge they had accomplished something no local squad before them had.

The six athletes posted a combined total of 42.5 points at the Youth Bowling Council's (YBC) National 5-Pin Championships in Winnipeg last week the most points ever registered by a Yukon team at a national championship, and 20 points higher than their total in 2005, the last time they sent a full team of six bowlers.

'From a team standpoint, we're certainly showing a positive move,' said coach Wayne Beauchemin. 'It's tight competition.'

Junior female Sarah Koltun garnered the most success in Winnipeg, collecting 12 points (you get a point for each win) and finishing ninth overall. She won four games last year, so it's a marked improvement.

Beauchemin said he and fellow coach Kevin Murphy knew Koltun would do well, since it was her third year at nationals.

'She actually won eight out of 10 games in one stretch. She really started to make a push. Four of the games she lost by less than 15 points. If she had won those, she would have finished third.'

Also impressive was Koltun's brother Jonathan, who competed in the junior male category. It was his first time at that level, but Jonathan didn't let the pressure get to him, picking up 8.5 points (half points are awarded for ties) and bowling 30 points over his average back home.

'He took off like a shot. We were really pleased,' stated Beauchemin. 'He didn't feel the pressure at all.'

Eight wins were also recorded by bantam female Olivia Tucker, nearly doubling her total of five points from last year. Tucker beat the second, third and fourth place finishers once each, showing her competitors she was tougher than many gave her credit for.

'I think she maybe was considered a pushover by people in some cases, because she still bowls two-handed, but once she started rolling a few points, they found themselves playing catchup.

'She surprised a few people.'

Male bantam Christopher Thompson, who was bowling at nationals for the first time, claimed four wins over the 24-game tournament. Beauchemin said considering he had to bowl 12 games in a single stretch on Saturday something he was not used to at all Thompson held it together very well.

He bowled 15 points over his regular average.

Natasha Mewett, a five-year nationals veteran who returned to the Yukon after competing for Alberta previously, had a somewhat slow start in Winnipeg in the senior female division. She ended up with seven wins, recording a score of 340 in one game. There were five games she lost where her competitors bowled over 300, which made a win that much tougher.

'She did very well,' said Beauchemin. 'There were a couple of close ones she just lost out on.'

The senior male category is considered the toughest of them all at the national championships, and Yukoner Loudyn Forsgren was the youngest bowler in his group.

In his first game of the tournament, Forsgren faced an athlete from Manitoba who bowled a 344, giving him a clear indication of what he was up against.

'He held his spirits up,' said Beauchemin. 'He ended up with three points. For him, it's just a matter of keeping his style in check. It's a tough division to be in.'

Overall, Beauchemin and Murphy were pleased. They also know what the team needs to work on over the next 12 months, in order to post an even better showing at the 2008 nationals.

'We need to put the emphasis on finishing the game,' said Beauchemin. 'It's about the killer instinct. You really need to put the pressure on the other bowler to keep pace.

'We had a dozen or so games lost by 15 points or less. So as much as they might find practice a little boring, that's what the practice is for. You have to focus on getting every ball.'

Outside of the competition, Beauchemin said the group didn't get a chance to really experience Winnipeg. The games are packed in over the three days of nationals, so when they weren't playing, the athletes and coaches were resting.

Still, they were able to have fun in what Beauchemin said becomes more of a social event once everything starts winding down. Athletes exchange pins, hats and momentos of their home province or territory.

The Yukon team handed out City of Whitehorse interactive CDs, as well as Yukon tourism discs. Paradise Alley had donated some Yukon flags to the squad to carry during opening ceremonies, as well as for those parents in the stands.

'It's always nice to have a cheering section,' said Beauchemin about the group of parents who made the trip to Manitoba. 'They were really waving the flag and showing their support.'

Next year's nationals will be in Edmonton. Mewett has reached the age limit, at 19, and won't be able to compete. Tucker still has another year of bantam action left before she moves up to junior, and is going to start one-handed bowling next year.