Airdrie U18 curling team is golden at Junior Women’s Championships

The Airdrie U18 curling team took home gold this past weekend at the Canadian U18 Junior Women’s Championship that took place in Oakville, Ontario over the weekend. 

“It took a lot of hard work, lots of practice, believing in themselves and just getting really good to win the provincial to get there first, said head coach Blair Lenton “We managed to accomplish that and then just kept training hard."

The team previously took home the title of provincial champions, winning gold at the Curling Alberta Optimist U18 Championship in Hinton, Alberta, on January 16. 

Lenton said once the team realized they won gold there were plenty of tears. 

“[There were] lots of high fives, lots of hugs. It was it's just an unbelievable feeling that out of 21 teams we came out on top,” he said. “We had all our family and friends there and they just made it even better.” 

Lenton said that even though the team worked tirelessly, there was still the nagging question of was it enough. 

“We managed to squeak through provincials; we didn't play as well in provincials as we did here [in Oakville]. It's just a matter of adjusting and getting a little bit lucky along the way and believing in themselves and making sure they're having fun at the same time.” 

Lenton was also awarded the Fair Play award in Oakville. He was chosen out of 21 other coaches. When asked what it takes to be a great coach, Lenton said it requires patience. 

Blair Lenton is presented with the Fair Play Coaching Award by Maurice Wilson (Curling Canada U18 Resource Coach) (Photo provided by Robert Wilson)

“[It also takes] a lot of laughs make sure you let the kids be kids and stick to the plan.” 

Congratulations to Skip: Myla Plett (Airdrie), Third: Rachel Jacques (Sherwood Park), Second: Alyssa Nedohin (Sherwood Park), Lead: Chloe Fediuk (Sherwood Park), and Alternate: Lauren Miller (Airdrie).

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