This past Saturday saw the YRHS and SHHS curling teams take to the curling sheets at the Yorkton Curling Club in preparation for the 2014/15 High School curling season.
Three YRHS teams and two SHHS clubs took part in a six team friendly bonspiel this weekend with the hopes of shaking off some rust and getting back into the swing of things.
Also taking part in the bonspiel was Esterhazy's mixed team.
SHHS
The Saints were represented by their boys' and girls' squads, both of which co-coach Cathy Inglis feels have legitimate chances at Provincial championships this year. "I think both of our teams here today have a chance at Provincials," offered Inglis. "They both have the knowledge and the girls, if they continue to grow as fast as they have been over this last month, they'll definitely be contenders. Their knowledge base is high, their execution is getting better every week and they're all great kids who are very coachable and committed to curling."
Inglis then mentioned that the Sacred Heart Saints boys' team, consisting of lead Carmen Kormos, second Cordell Struble, third Reese Kinaschuk and skip Tanner Kinaschuk, will also be a threat this season; especially if Tanner Kinaschuk can continue performing the way he has been so far this season. "Tanner has got a great sense of the game. He throws a nice rock and he's really matured in his strategy from last year," suggested Inglis of the boys' skip. "His knowledge is great, he's seeing the ice well and he's throwing a nice rock. Anything can happen because he's a strong player and his strategies have moved to another level and I think that will help him and his team this year.
"Yeah there were missed shots and their execution sometimes didn't happen but his actual call making was very good and they should challenge for Provincials this year."
Sacred Heart's girls' team is made up of leads Sarah Sutter and Arianna Struble, second Allison Berge, third Alex Cottenie and skip Madison Butchko. Sacred Heart will also be hoping to ice either a junior team or a mixed team this season as well, however nothing has been decided on that front.
YRHS
Provincials are also a possibility on the Raiders' side of things. Last year the YRHS girls' team lost out in Regional play while the mixed team made it to the Provincial Final Four but finished just out of the medals in fourth place. "I think for sure two of the three teams have a chance at Provincials. One of our mixed teams is a starter team so they're kind of in a growth year," suggested YRHS co-coach Lana Stanek-Sebastian. "I think the mixed 1 team and the girls are candidates for Provincials. Whether or not they advance there is completely up to them.
"They certainly have the skills to get there of course but it's whether or not they put it down the day of competition is what matters."
Stanek-Sebastian also mentioned that this year the two contending YRHS teams will be led by two skips with strong curling bloodlines. "Kellie Onda-Inglis is the skip of the girls and our boys' skip is Jon Nagy," offered the YRHS coach. "Kellie comes from a long line of curling that has been in her family for years. She brings a lot of experience and comes from a real curling family. Jon, too, brings a lot of experience. He's been playing for years and really knows how to call a game.
"Both teams should have a good chance at bringing medals back this year."
The YRHS girls' team consists of lead Meagan Dietrich, second Mikaila Ortynsky, third Tessa Datema and skip Kellie Onda-Inglis while the Mixed 1 team is made up of lead Brooke Switzer, second Nathan Bewcyk, third Sean Thompson and skip Jon Nagy.
