Young Prokopowich team learns from savvy opponent

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This article was published 22/01/2025 (240 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

PILOT MOUND — From the frying pan to the fire, sometimes there’s no better learning experience than just jumping right in.

Lane Prokopowich’s rink entered 2025 RME Women of the Rings as one of the youngest teams in the field, and started against one of the most experienced in Darcy Robertson’s rink out of the Assiniboine Memorial Curling Club.

First-time skip Prokopowich, third Mikaylah Lyburn, second Caitlin Kostna and lead Stephanie Feelus out of the Granite Curling Club dropped a close 7-5 opening draw to Robertson in the team’s first game of the women’s provincial championship.

The young team qualified by winning the Carman berth bonspiel, nabbing one of the tournament’s first spots, but had a quick learning opportunity to begin the three-day preliminary round.

Opening against Robertson, a three-time provincial champ who has been playing at provincial championships longer than most Prokopowich team members have been alive, provided a chance to see where they stack up against more experienced sides.

“There were some nerves for sure, and we’re just starting to get our feet wet for the week,” said Prokopowich.

“We knew we just had to figure out the ice and where to put the broom and how to make the shots, so now that we have that under our belt we know where to improve from here on for our next games.”

Prokopowich grew up in Dauphin before relocating to Winnipeg where she formed the team that went 5-0 in the Carman berth bonspiel.

They’ve been to provincials before but this is the first time competing as a unit in the high-stakes environment that is the Manitoba women’s championship.

The opening game is one they will use as motivation as the event rolls along.

“Put it behind us but remember what shots went wrong so that we make those shots going forward,” Prokopowich added.

“We know what we need to do as a team. So going forward we just need to play our game and keep getting comfortable and boost our confidence a little bit more.”

Robertson scored two in the second end for an early 2-1 lead and the two sides traded points until the sixth end, when Robertson made a peel to count two and take a 5-3 lead.

The seventh saw a hit-and-stick attempt with Prokopowich’s last rock, but after a measurement, Robertson stole two more to lead 7-3 after seven.

The young side was able to hang around and take singles in the eighth and ninth, continuing the learning experience in the team’s first game of the week.

“Seeing how confident and comfortable Darcy is and knowing how many times she’s been here and how calm and collected she is, I look up to her for that,” said Lyburn.

“I definitely want to try to be more like that and more comfortable with the crowd and environment. The more we get used to that, the more we’ll be ready.”

At just 21 and playing in her second women’s provincial championship, there’s still plenty to learn. She’s also reluctant to give too much credit to the team’s coach, but one can’t blame her for that.

Coach William Lyburn, Mikaylah’s dad, is also no stranger to the scene having played in multiple men’s provincial championships, finishing second in the Viterra Championship in 2019 in Virden.

Well known in the Manitoba curling scene but is now switching to more coaching and less competing, William moved to Brandon in 1992 at the age of 16 before he rose through the Manitoba men’s ranks.

He continues to stay involved with the game, although more off the ice than on.

“He’s been my coach since as long as I could walk so there’s nothing really I haven’t experienced with him. It’s cool to be able to experience it with your dad,” said the younger Lyburn.

William was quick to point out that even though the team lost its opener, it provided a great learning opportunity.

“You can look back at the game and see how Darcy calls it. She calls a very smart game and you’re not going to get her on T-line. If you miss your draw, she’s going to show you how to draw a rock to the four-foot.”

“I hope they realize that in the second half of that game they accomplished to be within striking distance at the halfway point and there’s just a couple ends they didn’t execute and that’s the difference against a good team,” William added.

The balance between coach and dad is a line they’re all still learning to walk, but doing so with smiles on their faces.

“I’ve always said to Mikaylah you probably won’t get too much praise from me a whole bunch because I will be focused on the team, but when we’re away from it and I reflect I’ll talk to her as dad. But as her coach, I support her, she knows that too,” William said.

“Just make sure she’s happy and enjoy what she’s doing. She’s on the right track. Is it fun? Is it worth your time being out there? That’s really what it’s about.”

The Prokopowich rink played in the 8 p.m. draw against Cassidy Dundas, which was still in progress at press time.

They play two more games today and it won’t get any easier, as Team Prokopowich plays the No. 3 seed Kristy Watling at 12:15 p.m. and the second seed Beth Peterson at 7:45 p.m.

» mpackwood@brandonsun.com