BY IAN THORPE
The end of April officially brought with it the conclusion to another season of curling. Among hockey, baseball and other sports on television last weekend was the final Grand Slam of Curling event, held in Calgary. The men’s final on Sunday saw Brad Jacobs defeat Kevin Koe 6-2, while on the women’s side the Ottawa team skipped by Rachel Homan scored two in the final end to edge Sweden’s Anna Hasselborg 5-4. It was a fitting conclusion to a very special season for the Homan team, having gone undefeated to capture both the Canadian and world women’s titles.
That brings us to acknowledgement of the top local women’s curling teams from the season past. The ladies held their year-end awards banquet recently and my thanks to Nanaimo Curling Centre ladies’ division secretary-treasurer Jessie Whittam for sending along results…
From the Monday night ladies’ league, first place in the round-robin portion of the season was claimed by skip Zorka Smith and her teammates Wanda Cullen, Kelsey Blake and Monica McKinnon. Runners-up were the team of Kesa Van Osch, Kalia Van Osch, Marika Van Osch, Cindy Van Osch and Megan Blake.
The league then split and held two A and B divisions for the remainder of the season. Top A square teams were Nicole Backe, Janelle Erwin, Helene Delisle and Maria Guidran and the Van Osch foursome. Taking the B square titles were Natalia Strilesky and her team of Carol Tromans, Cate Barrett and Michelle Plamondon, as well as Gloria Palinkas, Linda Torgerson, Sharon Stonehouse and Andrea Parry.
The Able Recognition Trophy for the highest aggregate point total on the season was awarded to the Van Osch team. The Backe and Strilesky teams tied for second place in the aggregate standings and so were co-recipients of the P&P Plumbing Trophy.
From the Tuesday Ladies’ Business League, skip Darcy Dreger and her team of Eleanor Voysey, Patty Pedersen, Sandy Wilkinson, Diana Baker and Dianne Smith received the Mid-Isle Holdings Trophy as aggregate champions on the year. Runners-up in points, earning the Baker Supply Trophy, were Marla Guildbransen, Kelsey Brown, Shannon Frith and Jessica Pyett.
Both A square titles went to the Dreger foursome. B square winners were the teams of Marg Carter, Sandra Ostle, Anthea Simick and Dorothy Sartore, along with skip Whittam and her team of Terrie Fraser, Susan Barber and Kellie Rice. Taking top honours in C square was skip Ruth Thorpe and her teammates Carole Ramey, Pat Johnson and Naomi Adams.
Turning to the Thursday Afternoon Ladies’ League, the top team this past season was that of Heather Lindsay-Lecuyer, Angela Wood, Debbie Pulak and Carolle MacIntosh. The Lindsay-Lecuyer foursome were winners of the A square competition, placed second in round-robin play and earned the Thrifty Foods Trophy as aggregate point champs on the season. Tops in the round-robin format was the team of Leslie Shearer, Lorraine Jeffries, E.T. Mitton and Marlene Griff. The Shearer squad was also runner-up in aggregate points and received the Island Timberlands Trophy. Winners of the B square title were Mary Ellen Konyer, Moira Ryan, Maureen Pearse and Brenda Chaplin.
This season’s Ladies’ Club Championship playdowns at NCC involved seven top teams from the above three leagues. Recognized at the awards banquet was the winning team of Lindsay-Lecuyer, Wood, Pulak and Tracey Newlands.
Also at the awards night, Newlands and Marg Obee were added to the Frankie Shaw Honour Roll for their many contributions to the club.
Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair, and show good sportsmanship.