Two Strathmore curling teams attend U15 provincial championship

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Two teams representing Strathmore took part in the U15 provincial curling tournament in Grande Prairie from March 12-16.

Team Clark, coached by Wesley Clark, placed fifth overall, and Team McCutcheon, coached by Michael McCutcheon, placed 10th.

Clark explained a total of 21 teams were divided into three pools of seven to play round robin circuits throughout the tournament.

At the end of the round robins, the Top 2 teams in each pool were allowed to advance to the championship playoff. Meanwhile, the bottom teams advanced to a consolation bracket.

“We were in second place in our pool and advanced to the championship playoff round. In that championship playoff round, we were ranked fifth, and we played against the fourth-place team,” said Clark. “It was a, when you win you continue, you lose, you go home, and we came up short. We lost 6-5 to Team Sipka … we never lost a game by more than one point when we were up there and the two games that we lost, we lost an extra end. The boys were very competitive with all of the teams.”

For three of Team Clark’s members, it was their first experience attending a provincial tournament. Inversely, McCutcheon’s players were largely familiar with attending a provincial tournament, having done so last year on different teams. 

The two local teams are hosted by Strathmore Curling Club, being an extracurricular activity outside of anything organized by local schools. 

Clark added the boys were satisfied overall with their performances and the results they were able to yield, being competitive with each of the teams that placed above them.

“They played really consistent in Grande Prairie and gave themselves a chance to win every game and turn some heads because we were kind of an unknown team,” he said. “They have in a way overachieved in a way maybe in their minds, but not in mine … unfortunately, part of our team ages up, so they do not get to play U15 provincials next year. Part of the team is younger – they can do it again next year, (but) there is no plan for next year yet.”

Meanwhile, McCutcheon said though his team was excited about their finish, their overall goal was to place higher.

“We could have done a little better if we would have won one extra game, but that is how it goes sometimes,” he said. “They are disappointed that the season has come to an end and they are really looking forward to growing next year again.”

McCutcheon’s team is not likely to reform completely in the next season, as the Alberta Winter Games will be taking place and does not allow co-ed teams to be registered for competition.

Curling Alberta hosts a series of U15 bonspiels throughout the curling season to compete at in order to earn a qualification to attend the provincial tournament.

There is no official league, rather instead, the event series is organized entirely by Curling Alberta. Strathmore’s team competes in the Calgary Youth Curling Association.

Clark said the goal going into next season is to get back to the provincial tournament and qualify for the national tournament.

The new U15 teams will begin seeking new teammates and reorganizing come July in order to begin preparations for the upcoming season.