Special Olympics bowlers get in some lane time

Visiting Special Olympians and their coaches received a bit of red-carpet treatment Wednesday morning at Tavern + Bowl.

They had the whole Costa Mesa bowling alley to themselves.

The group from Aruba and the Bahamas practiced at the downtown lanes in preparation for the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, which begin Saturday.

Costa Mesa is hosting 78 Olympians and coaches from the two island nations, who arrived in town Tuesday and are staying at Vanguard University. The groups will also visit the OC Fair and South Coast Plaza during their stay.

At Tavern + Bowl, the bowlers quietly practiced as their coaches looked on.

Aruba’s coach, Aldrin Noguera, said his team has been practicing for more than a year. One of his players, Jorzy Arias, wore an “I love Aruba” hat for a time while taking turns with his teammates shooting spares and strikes.

Kelly Vucinic, a community services specialist with the Costa Mesa Police Department, cheered the teams on.

“It’s a lot of fun,” she said of her host town duties. “They’re so good.”

The Bahamas’ bowling coach, Whitney Sands, was complimentary of the city’s reception Tuesday.

“Everything’s been good,” he said. “We’re really loving it so far.”

And of his team’s outlook for the games?

“They’re coming together pretty good,” Sands said.

Noguera was equally optimistic.

“Good,” he said of their chances, adding, with a laugh. “I think so.”