Brock University’s men’s and women’s curling teams are headed are headed to Alberta this weekend in hopes of winning the first national championships for the program.
Both teams qualified for the 2018 USPORTS/Curling Canada Curling Championships being hosted by the University of Alberta from from Saturday, March 24 to Wednesday, March 28.
The teams earned spots in the finals last month after the men’s team won in the Ontario University Athletics championship in Sault Ste. Marie and the women’s team placed third.
The men’s OUA title was Brock’s eighth provincial or national banner won in 2017-18, tying a record for most wins in a single year.
A men’s or women’s victory in Alberta would make this the most successful year win-wise in Badgers history, said a Brock media release.
Additionally, a win by either team would also qualify them for the 2019 Winter Universiade in Krasnoyarsk, Russia in March 2019.
“The Badgers prepared for the Championships with a light practice based on playing shots that they often use in their games and just trying to get a good feel in their deliveries,” said head coach Murray Etherington after a team practice at St. Catharines Golf and Country Club this week.
“The men and women are ready to go and we just wanted to get some slides in and not overthink anything. Both teams are as prepared as they are going to be and are confident and ready to hit the ice.”
The National Championships are part of the Curl4Canada week-long festival in Leduc, Alberta. The games are organized by both USPORTS and Curling Canada and will include the 2018 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Championships, the 2018 Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championships and the 2018 Mixed Doubles Curling Championships.
The Brock Badgers men’s team is led by senior skip and two-sport athlete Eric Bradey, who has a talented core including third Jamie Waters, second Nick Lemieux, lead Ben Hughes and alternate Douglas Thomson.
The women’s team is made up of skip Terri Weeks, third Jessica Humphries, second Marcia Richardson, lead Joanna Francolini and alternate Jeanette Burnside.“
Etherington will coach the women’s team in Leduc, assisted by Karen Heywood, while Mike Smith will coach the men’s team.
2018 USPORTS/Curling Canada Curling Championships Brock Badgers Men’s Draw
Saturday, March 24, 9 a.m. vs. University of New Brunswick
Saturday, March 24, 5 p.m. vs. Waterloo
Sunday, March 25, 1 p.m. vs. Ryerson
Sunday, March 25, 9 p.m. vs. Winnipeg
Monday, March 26, 9 a.m. vs. Dalhousie
Monday, March 26, 5 p.m. vs. Regina
Tuesday, March 27, 1 p.m. vs. Alberta
Tuesday, March 27, 7:30 p.m. Semifinal Round
Wednesday, March 28, Noon Gold/Bronze Medal Round
2018 USPORTS/Curling Canada Curling Championships Brock Badgers Women’s Draw
Saturday, March 24, 9 a.m. vs. Mount Allison
Saturday, March 24, 5 p.m. vs. Regina
Sunday, March 25, 1 p.m. vs. Thompson Rivers
Sunday, March 25, 9 p.m. vs. Laurier
Monday, March 26, 9 a.m. vs. Memorial
Monday, March 26, 5 p.m. vs. Queens
Tuesday, March 27, 1 p.m. vs. Alberta
Tuesday, March 27, 7:30 p.m. Semifinal Round
Wednesday, March 28, Noon Gold/Bronze Medal Round
