Budzey to provincials

Times Reporter   

 

Strathmore’s 16-year-old Ben Budzey will be heading to curling provincials with his junior men’s squad, his second time reaching this level. From Feb. 28-Mar. 2, six teams will compete in High River at the Highwood Curling Club.

“This is a whole new team now,” Budzey said of his teammates, two from Lethbridge and one from Nanton. “These guys have never made it to provincials before so they’re all pretty excited.”

Budzey qualified in 2012 at the age of 14, but tied for second. He’s been competitively curling for six years.

“My parents both curled. So they tried to get me into it when I was quite young,” he said.

Budzey’s team will be one of two teams coming from the south; two others will come from the north, and two will come from the Peace region. For the past five years, each provincial champion has come from the south region; Budzey, who is lead for his team, has been training hard in preparation.

“Ever since we qualified for provincials, we’ve tried to make it out five days a week – even if it’s just for an hour,” he said.

First place at provincials earns a spot at the international final in Langley, B.C. come April.

“Not all the international teams are there, but I think Korea and Japan have been there before,” Budzey said. “All teams at this level are pretty committed and dedicated. They’re all really good curlers. They know their stuff.”

Budzey says curling is more of a mental game; having been to provincials before, he hopes he can provide some experience.

“You have to stay focused throughout the whole game of eight ends. If you miss your shot, you have to stay focused and make your next one,” he said. “When you’re losing or one of your teammates makes a bad shot, you have to keep the morale.”