View from the hack — Bobcat curlers gearing up for university nationals

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This article was published 23/01/2020 (2295 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A trio of boys from The Pas will have the chance to add their names to Brandon University’s illustrious curling history at U Sports nationals in Portage la Prairie this March.

Mike McEwen and Ron Westcott are a couple of those to have curled with BU in the past, with McEwen winning gold at university nationals in 2002. The former Brandonite, now 39, represented Brandon at the 2003 Winter Universiade, winning gold. He was named BU’s top male athlete of the year that year. McEwen’s banner is hanging amongst the rafters at the Henry Champ Gym.

Mitchell Katcher, current skip for the Bobcats men’s team, said he is hoping to add his name to the history books as well.

“It would be really cool to put a banner up next to his,” he said during practice at Riverview Curling Club on Monday.

Mitchell’s younger brother, Jeremy, said they “have some big shoes to fill” if they want to be mentioned in the same breath as McEwen.

Almost 600 kilometres north in their home town of The Pas, Jeremy said they’ll at least put up a poster of the team in the local curling club if they win the national title. There, they would join local Jesse Iles, who won gold at the 2015 world junior curling championships.

“There’s definitely going to be something hung in our curling rink for sure,” the 18-year-old lead said with a laugh. “So hopefully we’ll get in there too.”

You may be wondering, how did BU get to host when nationals are in Portage and the two other U Sports universities in the province are in Winnipeg, including the University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg. As it turns out, U Sports approached both Winnipeg schools first, but they were unable to act as hosts, leaving hosting duties to the Bobcats.

Brandon was able to clamber together a men’s and women’s team to act as the defacto hosts when nationals roll around in March.

The men’s team is rounded out by second Josh Luce from The Pas and third Taylor Holland from Carberry. The Bobcats will head to Canada West championships in Edmonton on Jan. 31, knowing they have their nationals ticket punched. Mitchell said they will use the event to get a feel for the type of ice and competition they will be facing at nationals.

“We’re not too worried about our outcome,” the 20-year-old physical education student said. “It’s almost like a practice for us.

For Jeremy, being able to curl on a stage as big as nationals is a dream come true.

“It’s pretty crazy — I’ve dreamt of doing something like this ever since I was just little,” he said.

“I almost quit curling when I was younger because I just couldn’t get the hang of it, but once I got the hang of it it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. I’ve played other sports, but curling is my main focus and I just want to keep my head in the game, I want to do the best I can when I get out there.”

Curling is a mental game, and like any sport, sometimes your biggest enemy can be yourself. That was the case for Jeremy when he nearly quit the sport, he was getting frustrated with himself too often.

“I was always in a bad mindset,” he said.

Jeremy shook that mindset by buckling down and getting more reps in.

“My parents pretty much run the rink in The Pas so I’d get lots of extra time to go and throw rocks,” he said.

Jeremy has learned to not let his emotions get the better of him when he’s out on the ice.

“Everyone says it takes a long time for you to overcome your mental state and not get mad, but I think I’ve gotten ahold of it pretty well already,” he said. “I don’t get too mad out there. If I do, I keep it low and don’t let anyone see.”

Chemistry shouldn’t be too hard to find for the men’s team, with Jeremy, Mitchell and Josh all having curled together before. Taylor has been a welcome addition and the team is gelling nice, Mitchell said.

“It’s new to these guys playing at this type of level,” he said. “The three of us have played together a lot so it’s nice, we’re all familiar with each other and we’re all bonding.”

For the women’s team, consisting of skip Janelle Vachon, second Shae Arnold, third Hallie McCannell, lead Hannah McCannell and fifth Victoria Beaudry, they’re still learning how to play with each other.

“We actually came together really nicely,” said Hallie, who will be skipping for BU in Edmonton because Vachon will be curling at the Scotties in Rivers next week.

“I knew of Janelle and Victoria previously, but I’ve never played with them or Shae before, just learning how everyone throws and playing as a team together has been really fun.”

Hallie is also excited to get to curl with her sister on the big stage.

“It’ll be pretty good,” she said. “We know how we play out there and we know how to help each other out so it’ll be really fun.”

Hallie said the feeling of going to nationals still hasn’t sunk in.

“Hopefully by the time we’re done in Edmonton we’ll be feeling good heading to March,” she said. “We’re just really looking forward to playing together finally.”

Vachon is no stranger to playing at nationals, she has represented BU there in the past. Everyone else on the squad can also draw on their experience at junior provincials to take with them to Portage.

“We all have different experiences,” Hallie said.

“All of us have been to junior provincials so we have been at provincial playdowns, we know what play like is there. It’ll be just as tough at nationals so I think that will help us out just in game scenarios.”

U Sports nationals will take place March 13-17 at Stride Place in Portage la Prairie.

EXTRA ENDS: The 2020 Manitoba Scotties are set to begin next Wednesday in Rivers. Tickets are on sale at Rolling Spokes in Brandon … The Brandon Curling Club is hosting the 39th annual Silver Belles Bonspiel Feb. 12-13. Cost is $180 per team, entries can be sent to Edith Easton at eeaston@mymts.net. Deadline is Feb. 3 … The Baldur Curling Club is hosting the Baldur Men’s Feb. 14-16. $130.00 entry includes banquet. Entries can be sent to Bob Conibear 535-2180 … The Souris Curling Club is hosting the 22nd annual Survivor Bonspiel March 31 to April 5. $200 entry for men, $160 for women, $160 for senior ladies, $60 for juniors Grade 12 and under. Entries can be mailed to Survivor Bonspiel at Box 771, Souris MB R0K 2C0. Cheques are payable to Souris Curling Club Survivor. Entries are due by Feb. 15 … Wawanesa Curling Club is hosting a mixed seniors bonspiel on Feb. 5, entries can be sent to Dave Clark at 204-573-7590 … Riverview Curling Club is hosting the ANAF Unit #10 Annual Mixed Curling Bonspiel Feb. 15-16. Entry fee is $180 and can be sent to Mark or Karis Malyon at 204-761-6470 or 204-573-6928.

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