February 13, 2020... WELLAND - Growing up the youngest sibling in her family, McKenna McGovern had no choice but to tag along to her older sister's curling practices and games – a right of passage for many younger siblings.
Too young to be left alone at home from the time her sister began curling, McGovern spent many days at the curling rink.
While most kids count down the minutes until they could go home, McGovern decided to join her sister on the ice to see what all the fuss was about.
Fast-forward 11 years later, McGovern is an accomplished national curler with many accolades to her name, and is competing at the post-secondary level at Niagara College in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA).
A native of Lambton Shores, McGovern says the choice to attend Niagara College was an easy one.
McGovern was drawn to Niagara College because of the Recreational Therapy program, and the fact that NC had a women's curling team competing in the OCAA. Unfortunately, the curling team had a tough time recruiting enough female curlers to fill an all women's team for 2019-20, leaving McGovern to be paired up on mixed doubles team.
"Besides the beautiful scenery, I chose Niagara College because they have the program I wanted (Recreation Therapy), and a curling team," said McGovern.
"Although I did not get to compete on a women's team, I am very grateful to be representing the college by playing mixed doubles with Benjamin Jones."
Curling has taken McGovern far and wide, recently returning from Langley, BC in January where she represented Ontario at the Canadian Junior Championships. .McGovern and her women's team finished with a 5-5 record, coming in sixth overall.
A versatile curler, McGovern is experienced in suiting up for an all-women's team, mixed doubles, mixed fours, and league play. But perhaps her most memorable experience has been teaming up with boyfriend, Sam Steep.
Steep is a former Niagara College curler and graduate of the Police Foundations program. During his two seasons with the Knights, Steep was named an OCAA All-Star, and captured an OCAA Bronze medal in 2018.
McGovern and Steep only started curling together at the beginning of 2019 but quickly dominated the Ontario curling scene, qualifying for provincials in just their few short months together. Despite coming up short in the provincial final, McGovern and Steep went on to don Canada's colours, representing their home country at the Nordic Junior Curling Tour in Stockholm, Sweden last April.
"My experience in Sweden was one that I will honestly never forget," said McGovern. "It was truly amazing to have gone with Sam, and to meet all of the amazing competition, and friends that will last a lifetime, and of course the sight seeing I will never forget... and can't complain about coming home with the gold medal."
McGovern will once again represent Canada this spring, after her and her new mixed-doubles partner (Steep is age ineligible), Ryan Hahn, qualified for the Nordic Junior Curling Tour in April.
Steep and McGovern still compete together in adult mixed-doubles, and will represent their home club, Forest Curling, at provincials in Brockville at the end of February.
For now, McGovern's focus has shifted to competing in mixed doubles for Niagara College at the OCAA Provincial Championships this week.
Niagara will be a part of OCAA history this week, with mixed doubles debuting for the first time in OCAA Provincials history.
Mixed doubles curling, which has made strides 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 February 13-17th. 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 1970's.
McGovern and Jones will kick off the tournament Feb 13, 2019, Peterborough, when they go up against team two from NC, Chloe Johnstone and Adam Rolson.
All four Knights curlers are first-year athletes representing the college at provincials this week, with McGovern eager to hit the ice.
"I'm very excited to be representing Niagara College at the OCAA level, and to have the chance to be a part of OCAA history competing in mixed doubles. I love playing mixed doubles because of its fast pace and the fact that it's just you and your partner out on the ice," she said.
With McGovern's enthusiasm and experience, she is hoping to draw out more curlers to NC to compete.
"Anyone who is even interested in the sport of curling: don't be afraid to come out and make yourself known. Niagara College has been so supportive academically, and recognizes every varsity athlete. I am very grateful for the support I have received in my first year from everyone here," she said.
To catch McGovern and the rest of Niagara College in action, all draws will be live-streamed on the OCAA Live streaming platform. Results can be found at ocaa.com/curl.
