(by Tim Gall)
Smiths meet in the final of mixed doubles tournament following play at national junior championships
One had to win. One had to lose.
That was the situation on Sunday when the Smith sisters from the Cornwall Club Club competed for the bronze medal in the inaugural mixed doubles tournament at the M&M Meat Shops Canadian Junior Curling Championships in Fort McMurray, Alta.
Sabrina Smith was teamed with Quebec’s Marc-Alexandre Charest-Dion against Veronica Smith and Ontario’s David Easter. Sabrina’s team won the medal with a 7-4 decision.
Following the bronze- medal game in the mixed doubles, Veronica Smith, looked back on the mini weekend tournament.
“It was a fun event that enabled us to meet new people in a fun environment.”
Regarding the entire week — and originally in the hunt for the national championship — Veronica was thrilled.
“I don’t really think there are words to describe the week I just had,” said the skip, whose team also included Katie Fullerton and Chloe McCloskey as well as sister Sabrina. “I have met so many great people, played against the best junior curlers in the country, had the opportunity to play on arena ice for the first time, and represent the province of Prince Edward Island.”
On the junior men’s side, the foursome of Tyler Smith, Alex Sutherland, Alex Jenkins, and Jonathan Schut — also from the Cornwall Curling Club — finished with the same 3-6 record as the junior women during the main part of the competition. The boys did not advance to the medal games in the mixed doubles event.
“Mixed doubles was really fun actually, a little confusing but still fun,” said Sutherland.
“I loved representing P.E.I.,” he added. “It’s such an honour to wear the crest. It was an awesome learning experience, both socially and curling wise. I hope next year’s representatives have as much fun as we did.”