Trojans, Vikings and Griffins earn gold at ACAC Curling Championships
Red Deer, AB - As the final rocks settled on Sunday at the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Curling Championships presented by Holiday Inn, the SAIT Trojans, University of Alberta Augustana Vikings and MacEwan University Griffins found themselves at the top of the podium.
In the morning draw, the NAIT Ooks Men's team shaded the Concordia University Thunder 8-7. The victory pushed the Ooks into the gold medal final against the SAIT Trojans. In a battle to the end, the SAIT Trojans earned a close 5-4 victory for the title. The Thunder defeated the Lakeland College Rustlers 8-3 in the bronze game.
The U of A Augustana Vikings Women's team enjoyed the entire weekend and experience.
"It is an honour to be at provincials like this, at the ACAC Championships, because it doesn't happen all the time," said Vikings Women's Curling Coach Roger Galenza.
In the women's division, the RDC Queens earned an 8-1 decision over the Concordia University Thunder in the 10:00 am matchup. The win set up a Red Deer College Queens and University of Alberta Augustana Vikings final. In another close contest coming down to the final shot, the Vikings edged the Queens 5-4, earning ACAC gold.
The final was another tight one between the two squads, but Galenza wasn't surprised.
"When you're here you're supposed to enjoy the moment, but still try your hardest and leave everything on the ice, and I believe our girls did exactly that," said Galenza. "Red Deer Queens are a fantastic team. We've played them five different times this year and every game was right down to the last rock. Our girls played their hearts and it just turned out our way this year."
The Vikings will mix some rest with preparation leading up to the 2020 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA)/Curling Canada College Curling Championships in Portage La Prairie, MB from March 11-15.
"It's Reading Week so some will be going home to see their families, others will be throwing some rocks," explained Galenza. "The following Monday before we leave on March 9, we will have one big practice at the curling rink and get prep for that."
In the women's bronze medal game, the NAIT Ooks downed the Concordia University Thunder 7-2.
The NAIT Ooks Mixed Curling team began the final day of competition on the right foot with a 13-4 victory over the Lakeland College Rustlers. The win sent NAIT to the final against the MacEwan University Griffins, where the Griffins picked up a 6-2 decision, and a gold medal. The University of Alberta Augustana Vikings shaded the Lakeland College Rustlers 6-5 in the bronze medal game.
Men's Division
Gold – SAIT Trojans
Silver – NAIT Ooks
Bronze – Concordia University Thunder
Fourth – Lakeland College Rustlers
Women's Division
Gold – U of A Augustana Vikings
Silver – RDC Queens
Bronze – NAIT Ooks
Fourth – Concordia University Thunder
Mixed Curling Division
Gold – MacEwan University Griffins
Silver – NAIT Ooks
Bronze – U of A Augustana Vikings
Fourth – Lakeland College Rustlers
Charles Morter Memorial Award
Nadia Van Bruinessen, from the U of A Augustana Vikings, received the Charles Morter Memorial Award for best exemplifying Chuck's spirit, dedication, sportsmanship and leadership towards fellow curlers. She is a second-year student-athlete from Leduc.
ACAC Male Curler of the Year
Evan Van Amsterdam, Concordia University Thunder
ACAC Female Curler of the Year
Hannah Terry, U of A Augustana Vikings
The championship schedule and results can be reviewed online.
Photos can be found on Flickr.