7 Teams undefeated after first day of curling championship
SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont - The OUA Curling Championships, hosted by Algoma University, got off to a smooth start in Sault Ste. Marie today at the Community First Curling Centre. 30 teams from across Ontario took to the ice in pursuit of a provincial championship title.
Olympic champions and alumni Team Jacobs joined the curlers at the Opening Ceremonies. Team Jacobs threw the ceremonial rock, formally opening the championships.
“What a great first day of curling here at the Community First Curling Centre,” said Tom Mauro, Director of Ancillary Services at Algoma University. “It’s a great honour to host 150 student-athletes and coaches. We’re very pleased with the performance of our Algoma Thunderbirds on day one of competition and look forward to tomorrow’s draws. Thank you to Team Jacobs for joining us and kicking-off the OUA Championships.”
After four draws of curling, seven teams are undefeated, including last year’s defending OUA Champions, the women’s Laurentian Voyageurs, who earned their first win in program history in 2017. Three-time OUA Champs, the Laurier Golden Hawks men, were upset early on by the Western Mustangs, 4-2, leaving them with one win and one loss for the day.
On the men’s side, the Carleton Ravens, Guelph Gryphons, and Western Mustangs sit on top of the leader board with two wins each. Joining them on top are Queen’s, Guelph, and Laurentian on the women’s end, also with two victories.
The Algoma Thunderbirds split their first day of curling with both teams sitting 1-1 in the standings. The men earned a win over the Trent Excalibur, 9-0, and fell to the Brock Badgers, 8-2. The women Tbirds flew past the UOIT Ridgebacks 7-5, and were downed by the Queen’s Gaels 6-2. Queen's is skipped by former Team Canada Junior World Champion Mary Fay.
The women’s and men’s gold and silver medalists will advance to the national championships. Gold and silver matches will be held on Monday afternoon at the Community First Curling Centre.
The U SPORTS national curling championships are being hosted by the University of Alberta in March at the Leduc Recreation Centre. U of A will also be hosting the 2018 Canadian Mixed Doubles Championship and 2018 CCAA Curling Canada Championship.
All OUA matches are free and open to the public.
Draw 5 begins on Friday morning at 9:00am.
