SACA Bantam Curling Playdown held in Pincher Creek

Team Taylor Olmstead  (Delia Curling Club) won all three of their A Level games

Taylor Olmstead, Alia Nielsen, Presley Battle, Kali Richardson 

T. Lucas photos

Toni Lucas

The Southern Alberta Curling Association (SACA) Bantam District B Curling Playdown occurred at the Pincher Creek rink during the weekend of Friday, February 27, Saturday the 28, and Sunday March 1. Curling enthusiasts 14 years old and younger from areas as far away as Delia, Alberta came and tested their skills against each other. Of the 12 teams that participated seven teams qualified to go to the next level at the Bantam Southern Playdown that will occur in Sundre March 20-22. Qulifying were two teams from level A, 2 from level B, and 3 from level C.


Twenty three games were played to determine the standings of the qualifying teams, who were:
A Teams - Olmstead, Mason
B Teams - Kroker, Whittmire
C Teams - Kobylnyk, McIntyre, and Baxter

The teams played between 3 to 6 games to see if they would continue on to the Southern Playdown. There is a social aspect of the game that some of the kids expressed that they enjoyed - being out with teammates, meeting new people, and travelling to new areas. On the ice, it was all business. These young players were taking every throw as seriously as seasoned players. SACA Official Ida VanDerMolen was on hand as oversight for the playdown. VanDerMolen said that even at this level the rules that have to be followed are an excellent training ground for those that hope to continue on even to the level of the Brier, as the strict adherence to the rules are the same there. She commented that the hosting was excellent, and said "I think the kids are really comfortable here, in a smaller rink." Pincher Creek Curling Club Executive Brenda Heisler said that Pincher Creek Curling Club has hosted playdowns before, but not in recent years, and was very happy to host this year's event.

Spectator Tyler McNeil

A level

teams moving on to Southern Playdowns

Team Taylor Olmstead won 3 of 3 games

Delia Curling Club

Taylor Olmstead - Skip

Presley Battle - Third

Alia Nielsen - Second

Kali Richardson - Lead

Team Jared Mason - Coach Barry Mason, Jared, Justin, Carter, Devin

Team Jared Mason won 3 of 3 games

Delia Curling Club

Jared Mason - Skip

Carter Reed - Third

Justin Anderson - Second

Devin Buchwitz - Lead

B level

teams moving on to Southern Playdowns

Team Ayden Whittmire - Ayden, Kyler, Kaden, Noah, Coach Jeff Davidson

Team Ayden Whittmire - 2 wins from 3 games

Lethbridge

Ayden Whittmire - Skip

Kyler Kurina - Third

Kaden Zmeko - Second

Noah Tymko - Lead

Team Joshua Kroker - Lowell, Kaden, Zac, Josh

Team Joshua Kroker - 3 wins from 4 games

Lethbridge

Joshua Kroker - Skip

Kaden Niemans - Third

Lowell Whittmire - Second

Zac Robinson - Lead

C level

teams moving on to Southern Playdowns

Team Max Kobylnyk - Max, Jessica, Cayman, Cas

Team Max Kobylnyk - 4 wins from 6 games

Garrison  Curling Club

Max Kobylnyk - Skip

Cas Kobylnyk - Third

Jessica Wytrychowski - Second

Cayman Turn - Lead

Team Jaden McIntyre - Jaden, Logan, Max, Josh

Team Jaden McIntyre - 2 wins from 4 games

Coaldale Granite Club

Jaden McIntyre - Skip

Logan Huss - Third

Max Stevenson - Second

Joshua McNeil - Lead

Team Jocelyn Baxter - Emily, Paige, Emma, Jocelyn

Team Jocelyn Baxter - 1 win from 3 games

Bow Valley Curling Club

Jocelyn Baxter - Skip

Paige Baker - Third

Emma Gingras - Second

Emily Baker - Lead

Participating Teams

Team Evan Crough - Elysa, Madison, Evan, Rhet

Team Evan Crough

Huntington Hills  Curling Club

Evan Crough - Skip

Rhet Vanden Elsen - Third

Madison Senft - Second

Elysa Crough - Lead

Team Rhiley Quinn - Rhiley, Sarah, Daityn, Kassidy

Team Rhiley Quinn

Curling Club A.R.C.

Rhiley Quinn - Skip

Kassidy Varga - Third

Sarah McKinnon - Second

Daityn Lohr - Lead

Brieanne Kinghorn - Fifth

Team Ryan Nikota - Tyson, Brynn, Darah, Ryan

Team Ryan Nikota

Hanna  Curling Club

Ryan Nikota - Skip

Darah Buchwitz - Third

Brynn Kelbert - Second

Tyson Cox (Sabine) - Lead

Team Sonya Nielsen - McKenzie, Jensen, Chase, Sonya

Team Sonya Nielsen

Delia Curling Club

Sonya Nielsen - Skip

Chase Chambers - Third

Jensen Battle - Second

McKenzie Olmstead - Lead

Team Nolan Wever - Katryna, Raymond, Taylor, Nolan

Team Nolan Wever

Claresholm  Curling Club

Nolan Wever - Skip

Taylor Rae - Third

Raymond Cox - Second

Katryna Lytwyn - Lead

Related link/sources: saca.ca