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News

Curling event a sweeping success

Cam Charron - Sports Editor

Plenty of students sporting dazzling costumes, filling the air with the shrieks of ‘hurry’ and ‘hard’ were on hand for the annual Thompson Rivers University curling bonspiel last Thursday at the Kamloops Curling Club.

And yes, your loyal, intrepid Omega editors took part in the festivities. The rink composed of yours truly, investigative editor Krystal Kehoe, photo editor Greg Sawisky and former entertainment editor Danielle Barron, has zero to minimal curling experience and were handedly beaten in three consecutive games. We also managed to give up a steal of six at one point.

Regardless, a great time was had by all, from first learning how to slide out of the hack to the post-game pitcher of beer.

“It went really well,” said Recreation Coordinator Pina Russo, “we had registrations that were full in January.”

“Curling seems to be a very popular sport. We run different sports and see how they do, but curling has always been successful.”

Kelsey Samborsky, who skipped a rink with Brittnay Hollett, Quenton Martin and Robyn Samborsky, won the event on a draw to the button.

“It’s very exciting,” said the winning skip, “I was hoping I made [the winning shot] because I first thought I threw [the stone] through.”

A number of WolfPack athletes were in attendance at the event, including a number of players on the hockey team. David Gore curled alongside Jassi Sangha as part of the rink that came in as runners-up.

“It’s fun, I really like curling,” said Gore, who curls regularly throughout the year, “it’s fun hanging out with the guys and you get to have a drink after.”

Graduated WolfPack athletes Sean Garvey, Jeff Friesen, Kyle Bowman and Laura Plouffe also formed a team, dressed in ridiculous Hawaiian costumes for the evening. Jeff Friesen came complete with the old-fashioned corn broom. They defeated the Omega rink 3-0.

“We hurry hard, and with my team over here, we could take a run at [challenging Olympic gold-medalist Kevin Martin],” said Bowman, formerly of the men’s soccer team. “I don’t know if we’ve got the shots, but we’ve got the costumes and the effort.”

“I come from a curling background,” said Garvey, formerly of the men’s basketball team, who said both his mother and stepmother curled at the Scott Tournament of Hearts. “I can’t throw a stone any better than a nine-year old girl, however I do know, never give up, give it 110 and leave it all on the rink.”

“[Curling] is the exact same game [as basketball],” said Friesen, another basketball player. “All the same principles apply. You’re trying to put the rock in the hole.”