Alberta bowlers are making final preparations for the Special Olympics

Twice a week, the bowling team trains for the Canadian Winter Olympics at the Bowling Depot in Northeast Calgary.

Lori Cornwell has been bowling for 10 years and this is her first national championship

“I'm very happy to be with the best team,” Cornwell said. “Winning medals, being with my teammates and making new friends is why I go.”

“And partying and rocking like a rock star with all my mates.”

Some, like Cornwell, are veteran bowlers, others are new. This is Karl Malone's first appearance in the national finals.

“Nationals is going to be amazing, happy, encouraging and amazing,” Malone said. “If I get a medal, I'll be happy about it.”

For some, like Von Jager, the draw is just the game itself

“This is my first time in the country,” Jager said. “I received many awards from him. I learned a lot.”

Special Olympics is about making friends despite being competitors, and for Team Alberta's bowlers, it's one of the main reasons they're excited to participate in the Games.

“I think it's important for me to meet new friends,” Lynn Lowen said. “I think the medal is an extra prize for me, but it's more important for me to meet new people around the world.”

Michael Nauss really wants the gold, but he just wants to show it off.

“Yes, I want to medal this year,” Nauss said. “So I can take it to work and show it to my guys at work.”

Team coaches look forward to games just like athletes.

“It's going to be a lot of fun, not only for the athletes, but for us as well,” said Team Alberta coach Corinna Kayer.

“If you watch them, you can see a little bit of their competitiveness. But the whole concept between all that is fun, right? We are here to have fun. If we get the medals flawlessly, or not, we've met new people and enjoyed each other's company.”

The Special Olympics Winter Games in Canada begin on February 27 in Calgary with the opening ceremony at Stampede Park.