CANMORE – For the first time, a women’s curling team from Canmore has advanced to the provincial club championships.
Representing the Canmore Golf and Curling Club, the team of skip Karen Dreaver, Kristy Langs, Janice Egger, Adele Sanford, and team alternate Kim Sanford amazed themselves with a 2-1 record at zones to qualify for the 12-team provincials starting Tuesday (March 28) in Lethbridge.
“I think [we were in] a little bit of disbelief and a little bit of hyper holy cow [moment],” said Dreaver. “It takes a while for it to sink in and realize it is something pretty unique and special.”
Dennis Graham, president of the local curling committee, said it’s a unique achievement for any Bow Valley curling team to play against Alberta’s best.
“The club is really excited because we haven’t had that next step,” said Graham. “We’ve had teams go to the qualifiers, but not move on to the provincials. Everyone’s excited, and excited to see how they’ll do at the next level."
After losing to a tough squad from Springbank in their opening game at zones from March 9-12 in Coaldale, Team Dreaver came roaring back with wins against Acadia and Huntington Hills.
“By then, we got more of a feel for the ice,” said Dreaver. “Curling is a unique sport we're in in that it's only four people and you have to figure out how to work together to be successful on the ice. That’s what we have been focusing on the last few weeks in preparation.”
The Huntington Hills club was the third and final test for the Canmore team would advance to provincials. Having played against them previously, Dreaver had an idea what they were up against.
“I knew we had to have our best game and we played really well,” said Dreaver. “We just had the weight, made the shots and we came out strong, and we were up four points in the last end. We just kept it clean and managed to pull it out in the end and it was kind of exciting.”
A relatively new team, Canmore’s provincial-bound squad features Adele Sanford, who was the only junior player competing at zones. The 15-year-old curler is becoming the star athlete at the Canmore Golf and Curling Club after she made headlines last summer for sinking two holes-in-one in golf.
Locally, the club’s junior curling program has been growing.
“I’ve been a big part of the women’s league the past decade and the growth of the game is about pulling people in, making sure all the teams have somebody who knows how to curl and making it fun,” said Dreaver.
The 12-team provincial club championship takes place March 28 to April 2.
