The Humber curling teams didn’t all win gold at the Ontario College Athletic Association (OCAA) Championships, but they have big goals – winning the National Championships.
Humber men’s team skip Jake Dobson said even though they won silver, they accomplished what they wanted.
“Our big goal going into the weekend was taking the first steps and repeat as Canadian champions,” Dobson said.
The women’s team won gold and qualified for the National Championship. The mixed doubles team took home silver, but there is no mixed doubles category at nationals.
Humber women’s team skip Megan Mallett was also named an OCAA and CCAA Athlete of the Week after leading the team to a gold.
Humber curling coach Sean Turriff said that Mallett deserves the honour as the team’s leader.
“She’s proud of herself and confident,” he said. “But I mean, she’s quietly humble.”
Mixed double’s team member Hailey Brittain said their goal entering the tournament was to hone their skills, and they’re happy with the finish.
“Going in just trying to have some fun and see how well we could do, and we got silver so it’s pretty great,” she said.
Turriff said he was happy with the mixed doubles finish and happy with the end of their season.
“For them to be in the final and to put up the score they did in the finals, it was a great weekend,” he said.
Even though the season has ended, both mixed doubles athletes will serve as extras for the men’s and women’s teams at nationals.
The men’s team will be going into nationals looking for a repeat of last year.
Last season, they also won silver but ended up winning the National Championship.
“We’re definitely motivated still, to go and do the same again this year,” Dobson said.
He said although they lost in the OCAA finals, they are motivated to win going into nationals.
“But ultimately, the goal at the end of the day is to go and win that national championship,” he said.
Turriff said although there’s some disappointment when they lose, they have their sights set.
“I can say we, you know, we want to win gold all the time, for sure,” he said. “But pretty quickly, we shift our focus.”
The men’s team has lots of experience, both in Canada and internationally.
In August, before their collegiate season, they participated in a tournament in Scotland, gaining experience against international teams.
“I think this team is very much ready to take on the Canadian championships in a couple of weeks,” Dobson said.
The National Championships will take place in Fredericton, N.B., from March 12 to 16.