While the RDC Women’s and Men’s Curling teams had different journeys to the playoffs at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Curling National Championships, their destinations were similar as both squads earned medals at the Rose City Curling Club in Camrose on Saturday.
After the RDC Queens (Brett Day, Katie Primrose, Sara McMann, Marla Sherrer and Taylor Konschuh) opened the round robin 0-2, they gained momentum and won the next 4-of-5 draws to earn a playoff spot as the fourth seed
While some teams would be intimidated to face the first place Fanshawe Falcons (6-1) in the semi-finals, the RDC women’s team looked at it as an opportunity.
The Queens elevated their game and defeated the Falcons 7-5 to advance to the finals against the Concordia Thunder.
The Thunder won gold at the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Curling Championships but the Queens were motivated by the matchup. In the finals, the Red Deer College Women’s Curling team were successful on their final take-out to win 7-6.
The Queens peaked at the right time to claim CCAA Curling gold. In the bronze medal game, Fanshawe won 8-7 over NAIT.
Once the RDC women’s team found their groove it was difficult for other teams to defeat them.
“The women got off to a slow start but got on a roll to qualify for the playoffs,” said RDC Curling Head Coach Brad Hamilton, who was named the CCAA Women’s Curling Coach of the Year. “They saved their best for the playoffs and had two huge wins to take gold. Brett Day was named the CCAA Women’s Curling All-Star Second.”
The RDC Queens have won two CCAA Curling gold medals in the past three years. In Sault Ste. Marie, the women’s team captured top spot in 2014.
,p>
The Kings (Jordan Smith, Austin Kelts-Larsen, Ty Parcels, Ryan Dahmer and David Austin) finished the round robin in top spot with a 6-1 record and faced the fourth place Mohawk Mountaineers in the men’s semi-finals.
Mohawk defeated RDC 8-1. In the bronze medal game, the RDC men’s team rebounded and convincingly won 10-3 over the Humber Hawks to claim a CCAA medal. Fanshawe defeated Mohawk 7-4 in the gold medal draw.
Hamilton liked the ability of the RDC Men’s Curling team to persevere and win a medal after they experienced an earlier setback.
“The men had a great week winning the round robin,” said Hamilton. “Unfortunately, they struggled in the semi-finals but rebounded with a great game to win the bronze medal. Ryan Dahmer was named the CCAA Men’s Curling All-Star Skip.”
The national medal was the second for the RDC men in the past five years. In 2012, the Kings won CCAA silver in Peterborough.
– Fawcett
