PHOTO BY CURLING CANADA The Canadian Curling Championship team of Nanette Dupont (left), Samantha Davies, Kendra Nakagama and Avice DeKelver pose after winning the title in Leduc Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. Also shown are alternate Shirley Kohuch and coach Bill Kohuch.
The third time was a charm for a Lethbridge curling team featuring two women originally from Redcliff.
The women’s team skipped by Nanette Dupont won the Canadian Curling Club Championship Saturday in Leduc, beating Nova Scotia’s team 9-4.
Lead Avice DeKelver and third Samantha Davies both grew up in Redcliff and have been with the team ever since its first run to nationals four years ago. So has second Kendra Nakagama.
“It is a very satisfying feeling to work so hard for something (lots of time at the rink through practices and games) and have it actually pay off,” said DeKelver via text message Wednesday. “A bit surreal still!”
DeKelver explained that teams aren’t allowed to attend the national club championships in consecutive years, as it’s not intended to be on the same competitive level as, say, the Scotties.
So for a team that doesn’t travel to big bonspiels, this was their mountaintop.
“It feels awesome,” said Dupont in a Curling Canada story. “This event is our Scotties and our chance to wear the jackets and win a Canadian banner and have our name up on the wall forever. There’s not a lot of people who have done that.”
A four-point fourth end turned the final in the Alberta team’s favour Saturday. They went 9-1 at the championships.
Two years ago the team finished second in Kingston, Ont. They were third in Ottawa in 2015. Those experiences certainly helped according to the team’s lead.
“You’re used to the cameras and the games being timed and all the hoopla,” wrote DeKelver. “It’s still obviously super cool, but doesn’t make you as nervous.”
While they aren’t allowed to defend their title next year, DeKelver is glad for the upcoming competitive break. The 31-year-old accountant typically gets little time between tax and curling season starting in January. Provincials happen in April.
“I’m not sure if we will give it another shot in 2021,” wrote DeKelver. “See how the rest of the season goes and then go from there!”
