Confederation College skip Megan St. Amand and her team are off to a successful start in their quest to bring home a record 13th Ontario College Athletic Association women’s curling championship.
St. Amand, lead Katherine Roberts, second Amanda Danolovitch and third Carly Angers knocked off Humber College 7-3 on Thursday afternoon, as the Thunderhawks opened the four-day event on a winning note at Port Arthur Curling Championship.
It’s given her team a boost of confidence, looking to win the school’s first title since 2006 – and St. Amand a chance for redemption after falling in the 2013 OCAA final.
Home ice advantage helps.
“We’ve been practicing a lot, getting tons of ice time, so that’s key. We know the rocks, we know the ice,” she said.
It’s a team that’s flown under the radar in Thunder Bay.
While Lakehead University tends to get most of the post-secondary sports coverage, this week’s championship is a chance for Confederation College athletes to show they too can compete at the provincial level.
“Even in my class, in my program, a lot of people are like, ‘You curl? What is that? I didn’t know that Confederation College had a curling team.’ It is an opportunity for them to come out and see it, even if they don’t know the game. Come and support us. The support is great and we love it,” St. Amand said.
Her rink, taking on Seneca College in its second match, is one of three local teams competing at the championship. Philip Decorte leads the men’s team that also consists of lead Adam McKinnon, second Stephan Forbes and third Kyle Prystie, while Aidan Harvey is skipping the mixed team that includes lead Michelle Wright, second Daniel Pedulla and third Danyelle Kemp.
Decorte, who calls Atikokan, Ont. home, has been curling since high school and is excited to host the event in Thunder Bay.
“It’s quite incredible,” he said. “And I think it gives us a bit of an advantage, being used to the ice. It’s neat because we’ve been able to practice here and play games throughout the year.”
The men’s team is seeking its eighth OCAA title, it’s first since 2008 and lost 6-4 to Fanshawe it Thursday’s opener. They’ll next take on the Fleming Knights.
The mixed team, which lost both of its Thursday games, has five titles in school history, also last winning eight years ago. The Thunderhawks lost 11-3 to Sault College and 9-1 to Humber College.
Follow Leith Dunick on Twitter: @LeithDunick
