(by Jason Simmonds)

HALIFAX, N.S. — Lauren Ferguson admits winning a Canadian curling championship is going to take a while to sink in.

Ferguson plays third stone with Nova Scotia’s Taylour Stevens rink, which won the 2022 New Holland Canadian under-21 women’s curling championship in Stratford, Ont., on April 1.

“Whenever we got back to the airport (on April 2) and there were people with Canada flags and stuff, it felt a bit more real,” Ferguson told the SaltWire Network in a phone interview on April 3. “I don’t think it will hit us for another few weeks yet.”

Skip Taylour Stevens, left, and third stone Lauren Ferguson discuss strategy at the 2022 New Holland Canadian under-21 women’s curling championship last week in Stratford, Ont. The Nova Scotia representatives won the national title, and will represent Canada at the 2023 world under-21 women’s curling championship. Curling Canada/Michael Burns – Contributed

The 19-year-old Ferguson is from Spring Valley, just outside of Kensington. This is Ferguson’s second year playing with the Mary Mattatall-coached Stevens rink, which includes second stone Alison Umlah and lead Cate Fitzgerald.

Ferguson is a second-year student at Dalhousie in Halifax.

“Whenever I was finishing up high school and looking to go to university, curling was definitely part of that decision,” said Ferguson. “I was looking into what opportunities were out there for curling and teams, so I actually reached out to them because they had a player that was aging out.

“They got back to me and said they would love to have me play with them. Dal became a pretty easy choice after that.”

Team Stevens, which curls out of the Halifax Curling Club, will represent Canada at the 2023 world under-21 women’s curling championship. The site has yet to be announced.

As Canadian champions, Ferguson said the team is looking to capitalize on resources that they otherwise wouldn’t have to prepare for the worlds.

“I’m really excited to take advantage of that, learn from that and hopefully go make Canada proud,” said Ferguson, who admitted she has always had a dream of winning a Canadian championship. “To find a way to accomplish that, it’s surreal.”

Ferguson began curling at the Silver Fox in Summerside at age nine. She also curled out of the Crapaud, Cornwall and Charlottetown clubs.

Click for the full story at SaltWire Media: https://www.saltwire.com/prince-edward-island/sports/peis-lauren-ferguson-helps-nova-scotia-win-canadian-21-under-womens-title-100714404/