Great Showing At USports Canadian University Curling Championships for University of Regina Cougars!

What a year it has been for the University of Regina Men’s Curling Program! As the team filtered in a brand new program format with brand new coaches, as well as a brand new team, it sure did not show with the fantastic display of curling and shot making these past few weeks for the boys.

The Cougar Men’swon their way through Canada West Playdowns earning them a spot in this past weeks USports Curling Canada University Curling Championships, which was a first for all five members of this squad. The team was up against a very strong field at this years event, including former Canadian champions in the University of Alberta Golden Bears. Also amongst the field was this years Canadian Junior runner up in Matthew Hall, former Canadian CIS Champion Christopher Gallant, and men’s provincial runner ups to the Brad Gushue rink, and today’s champions in Adam Boland of Memorial.

Back (left to right): Dave Miller (Coach), Jamie Schneider (Coach), Alternate (Matthias McCreary)
Front (left to right): Sam Wills (Skip), Drew Springer (Third), Grady Lamontagne (Second), Brody Blackwell (Lead)

Sam Wills (Skip)

But this did not seem to phase the Cougars as they took in some tight match-ups proving they can play at this level.After a very good semi final game against the #1 Seed Memorial University, it came down to the final end in Memorial needing to pick up their two for the win. Below are the teams results throughout the week:

Draw 1: 5-4 win over Queens University
Draw 2: 3-5 loss to Dalhousie University
Draw 3: 10-4 win over Lakehead University
Draw 4: 5-3 loss to University of Alberta
Draw 5: 8-6 loss to Memorial University
Draw 6: 7-2 loss to University of Prince Edward Island
Draw 7: 10-2 win over Wilfred Laurier University
Semi final: 8-7 loss to Memorial
Bronze Medal: 7-6 loss to University of Prince Edward Island

Congratulations to the University of Regina Cougar Men’s team on a great first year together who represented the school and province very well!

The men’s program is looking very promising in the near future as these boys are just beginning their university careers and hope to be back at the national stage very soon.

This year the University of Regina Women’s team had 3 out of 5 returnees, but also took part in a newly branded program with a new format and coaching. This also proved to work fantastically as the women also qualified through Canada West playdowns earning them a spot in this years USports Curling Canada University Curling Championships.

The women’s field was also filled with depth and experience providing a tough competition for all teams competing. Among the field was this years Canadian Junior Champion in Kristen Streifel (University of Alberta) as well as former World Junior Champion Kristin Clarke (Dalhousie University).

Each member of the Cougar women’s team has had their own unique experiences at various levels in this sport, which turned out to be essential as they ran into some very close games with some of the top teams in the country.

Back (left to right): Tom Hamon (Coach), Jamie Schneider (Coach), Kaitlin Corbin (Alternate)
Front (left to right): Haylee Jameson (Skip), Stasia Wisniewski (Third), Hayley Unrau (Second), Sara England (Lead)

Left to right: Stasi Wisniewski (Third), Hayley Unrau (Second), Kaitlin Corbin (Lead)

Here were the results for the Cougars throughout the week:

Draw 1: 8-2 loss to Laurentian University
Draw 2: 10-5 win over Lakehead University
Draw 3: 5-4 loss to St. Francis Xavier University
Draw 4: 7-4 loss to Dalhousie University
Draw 5: 11-5 loss to University of Alberta
Draw 6: 7-6 win over Ryerson University
Draw 7: 9-3 loss over University of New Brunswick

Big congratulations to the women’s team for a successful year together who represented the province and school very well! Another solid program forming on the women’s side with young and upcoming talentfor years to come!

Also, Congratulations to your 2017 Champions in Memorial University (Men) & Laurentian University (Women)!

Brody Blackwell (Lead)

Haylee Jameson (Skip)

Photo Courtesy: Curling Canada