Wilson ready for international curling stage

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

Gleichen’s Jason Wilson and his Calgary-based Team Hodgson are getting prepared for the U18 International Curling Championships in Edmonton from April 1-5.
“We’ve practiced once a week in Calgary since the end of September and we went into the Okotoks men’s league on Tuesday nights so we’re together as a team two nights a week and getting used to everyone,” said Wilson.
Other than playing in the men’s league, the team competes in the provincial junior league where they earned a berth in the international tournament.
“We’re a part of the Alberta Junior tour so it’s a tour that’s all across Alberta. That’s the age group above us, we play up in order to play better teams,” said Wilson. “You’re not going to get better if you play people below you.”
Team Hodgson qualified for the international event by winning the provincials, which were also in Edmonton.
“It was a five game round robin up there and we were the highest record at 4-1 and everybody else had 3-2. To get to provincials we had to play for Southern Alberta which was in Brooks and we came out of the ‘B’ qualifier,” said Wilson.
The teams that they will be up against will be from across Canada and the United States.
“On the men’s side, there is Connecticut, Washington and New York. Then we have from Canada, B.C., Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Newfoundland,” said Wilson. “Our goal is to medal this weekend, it’s our first year there so we’d be happy to medal.”
“We’re expecting to medal because there is quite a few younger first-year teams that are there but not as strong and there is the returning champ from Washington so that’ll be a tougher competition.”
The opportunity that presents itself is thrilling for Wilson.
“I’m really excited, a little nervous,” said Wilson. “Curling is a big part of our family, it’s good to do it well and have the support from your family when you’re in that high of curling.”