Saturday, January 24th saw the first annual Niagara College Invitational Bonspiel hosted at the Welland Curling Club. The event saw 16 teams representing seven CCAA institutions compete in the final OCAA exhibition event prior to the 2015 OCAA Curling Championships in Peterborough.
Competition was held in the men's, women's, and mixed team divisions, and the participating schools included the host Niagara Knights, along with the Mohawk Mountaineers, Humber Hawks, Seneca Sting, St. Clair Saints, Fleming Knights, and John Abbot Islanders.
Both the Niagara College men's and women's curling teams finished 1-2 in the event. The Knights men's team defeated the Seneca Sting in their opening match before falling to the Humber Hawks and Mohawk Mountaineers.
The women's team lost their opening two matches to Seneca and Humber before defeating the Mohawk Mountaineers in their final game.
The Niagara College Curling season consists of competition in a local recreational curling league beginning in November, participation in the Niagara Invitational Bonspiel, and competing in the 2015 OCAA Championships in Peterborough.
"Our teams played well in their first taste of OCAA competition" said Niagara College intercollegiate coordinator Ray Sarkis. "The event gave all ten student-athletes some valuable experience in competing at the post-secondary level."
The Knights now have three weeks to hone their skills before heading to Peterborough for competition in the 2015 OCAA Championships hosted by Fleming College.
The Niagara College men's curling team consists of Andy Hein (Omemee), Michael Corner (Orangeville, ON), Robert Taylor (Barrie, ON), Gavin Moore (Caledon, ON), and Michael Caldwell (Beamsville). The women's team consists of Bronte Chin (Toronto, ON), Megan Droog (Harrison, ON), Samantha Lees (St. Catharines, ON), Allison Mondloch (St. Thomas, ON), Lindsay Smith (Stouffville, ON), Amanda Lieau (Fenwick, ON).
