- With files from the OCAA
PETERBOROUGH, Ont. - The Niagara College Knights curling team will be a part of history this weekend at the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Curling Provincials hosted by Fleming College this week.
Niagara's curling squad is made up of two mixed doubles teams heading to up to Peterborough Thursday. Made up entirely of first- year student-athletes, Niagara's curlers are ready to represent the college on the ice after competitng at Fanshawe College's curling tournament at the end of January, finishing with two wins and two losses.
The OCAA has held a curling championship of one form or another annually since 1967-68, but this week will mark a first in the history of the event.
Mixed doubles curling, which has gained in popularity over the last several years debuting as an Olympic competition in 2018, will make its first appearance at the 2020 OCAA Curling Championships early Thursday morning. A total of eight sets of teammates from four schools will compete in the inaugural event, and will replace the traditional mixed team competition which has been part of the OCAA since the 1970s.
The conventional men's and women's team competitions will also take place, making for a busy four days at the Peterborough Curling Club.
A total of seven schools will vie for provincial medals in the three events. Confederation, Fanshawe, host Fleming, Humber, Mohawk and Sault will enter men's teams. With the exception of Mohawk, these colleges will also compete in the women's bonspiel.
Fanshawe, Humber, Niagara and Sault will enter two teams each in the mixed doubles competition.
Beginning Thursday, teams will compete in a round robin, with the top four men's, women's and mixed doubles teams advancing to the medal rounds. Semi-final winners advance to the gold medal draw, while losing teams compete for bronze.
The top men's and women's teams advance to the 2019 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA)/Curling Canada Championships in Portage la Prairie, Man., from Mar. 11-15.
Niagara will be represented by:
Team 1 – Benjamin Jones and McKenna McGovern
Team 2 – Chloe Johnstone and Adam Rolson
Championship Website: www.ocaa.com/curl
Championship Schedule
Thursday, February 13
Draw 1 - 8 a.m.
Draw 2 - 10:15 a.m.
Draw 3 - 1:45 p.m.
Draw 4 - 4 p.m.
Opening Ceremonies - 6:30 p.m.
Draw 5 - 8:30 p.m
Friday, February 14
Draw 6 - 8:30 a.m.
Draw 7 - 10:45 a.m.
Draw 8 - 2:15 p.m.
Saturday, February 15
Draw 9 - 9 a.m.
Draw 10 - 12 p.m.
Draw 11 - 2:45 p.m.
Draw 12 - 5:45 p.m.
Draw 13 (Men's & Women's Semi-Finals) - 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 16
Draw 14 (Mixed Doubles Semi-Finals/Men's & Women's Bronze) - 9 a.m.
Draw 15 (All Gold/Mixed Doubles Bronze) - 12:30 p.m.
- OCAA -
ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is the recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student-athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 27 members sponsoring 12 varsity sports.
For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com
