Andrew Klaver, Canadian Curling Association
Skip Jenn Hanna throws a rock for her team, which represented Ontario at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Grand Prairie. Team Hanna finished sixth place in its debut at the national championship.Team Hanna came up short this year at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, but not before beating some of the field’s biggest names before it left.
The Ottawa-based rink’s sixth-place finish put it two spots out of the playoffs during the national competition, which was held in Grand Prairie Alta. from Feb. 18-28.
Lead Karen Sagle says handing eventual victor Team Alberta its first loss of the tournament halfway through was a highlight.
“We knew it was going to be a really tough game, especially with Alberta having the home crowd advantage but we played really well,” Sagle says. “Everyone made some great shots, we communicated well, we were loose and we had fun. I think we learned that that’s how we play our best.”
At the Ontario championship in January in Brampton Team Hanna beat Team Homan—another rink from the Ottawa Curling Club in Centretown.
Team Homan won the Scotties in 2014 and then finished second place at the world championship that same year.
That upset brought skip Jenn Hanna, second Stephanie Hanna, third Brit O’Neill and Sagle to the national stage to compete against some of the country’s finest.
Earle Morris, club professional from the Ottawa Curling Club and former coach of Team Homan, says despite the win against Team Homan, he expected Team Hanna to be in the middle of the pack at the Scotties.
The tournament spanned over 11 days, which is no easy feat according to Morris.
“Scotties is challenging when you have a few newbies on the team. It is a long and tiring week where fitness, experience at that level and mental toughness are difference makers,” he says.
Team Hanna was not alone in its position as the field was filled with many new names, but Al Cameron, director of media and communications for Curling Canada says that has made this tournament one to remember.
“I think it’s safe to say there was a lot of intrigue going into the 2016 Scotties Tournament of Hearts because of the new names,” Cameron says. “And that has translated into some very interesting and entertaining curling on the ice.”
Now back in Ottawa, Team Hanna has been reflecting on an experience Sagle says its members will never forget.
“The Scotties was just a dream come true,” she says. “It’s something I’ve dreamt of since watching Sandra Schmirler as a kid.”
Even after unexpected results, Sagle says the support they received kept them motivated.
“I got a text from my mom after a tough loss and that was probably my favourite [message] of the week,” she says. “She basically reminded me that even with a tough loss, it’s important to look at the big picture.
“We’re at the Scotties, something countless people in Ontario would absolutely love to be at and something we may never get to do again. We can’t let the losses take away from what an incredible experience this is. She reminded me what an accomplishment it is just to get here and that we shouldn’t forget to enjoy every moment.”