Standard ousts SHS from zone berth

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The reign of two consecutive zone appearances for the Strathmore Spartans boys curling team is over after they were defeated 6-5 in the final end by Standard School during County playdowns at the Strathmore Curling Club on Feb. 11.
It came down to Standard’s last rock, where Grade 11 student Will Kathol played an angle raise to draw the stone back in behind Strathmore’s guards, needing a measurement to win.
“To watch him call a shot and make it that tight and be within a minor difference was fun to watch,” said Standard School Coach Cam Holloway.
“We haven’t had a lot of chances to play games so their experience is lower. The way they adjusted to a missed shot and went with Plan B as much they could. The skip played some nice shots going into the end.”
Holloway mentioned that with this win they can still grind it out and come out with a win.
Standard School has only run competitive curling for the last three years and for them to go to zones will hopefully encourage players to participate next year.
The Spartans felt they were prepared for this match, having practiced since November, and it was tough to lose on the last rock in the end.
“They played a good game and called a good game,” said Spartans Coach Michelle Ladene.
“It’s disappointing but they tried their best. I think they read the ice pretty well and being able to call the right shot. I think our skip Jared (Aschenbrenner) did a very good job at that. It’s just unfortunate they didn’t get the shots and he called the shots I would’ve done and they made a beautiful shot to win.”
It may be the end of the short season for the boys team, but the girls and mixed categories are off to zones, and Ladene is confident in what both teams can do to build off of last year’s zones.
“I think our mixed team is strong,” said Ladene.
“Cole Burton, the skip, has done a lot of juniors and competitive curling. Layne Wilson, she’s a really good curler, the whole mixed team should be good curlers. The girls team is almost exactly as we had last year. We learned a lot and really came together last year at zones.”
Zones take place on Feb. 26-27 in Drumheller, while Provincials are March 4-5 in Ponoka.