Vikings senior girls take provincial silver, cap strong season for NBCHS curling

Advancing to provincials in Ituna, the team won another three straight, before topping Yorkton’s Sacred Heart in the semis to punch their ticket to the provincial gold medal game for a second straight year.

Although they would fall to Moose Jaw Peacock in a back-and-forth gold medal game that featured a number of lead changes and ultimately came down to the final shot, senior curling coach, Evan Reid said he couldn’t have been more proud of what the team was able to accomplish this season, going the absolute distance on their way to the provincial silver.

“It’s not easy to even get into provincials, so for them to come away with the silver is huge,” Reid said. “I think it was sort of a heartbreaker for the girls as this was kind of similar to last year, and to lose that gold medal game is never easy, but I think a good night’s sleep and some [time to reflect] really reminds everyone provincial silver is really, really good.”

With no graduating players, the Vikings senior girls will be able to return the same squad next year, making the team an early threat for a third straight provincial medal.

Junior boys

The junior boys won three straight games to capture the district gold medal in Unity, including wins over Spiritwood and then Luseland in the final – despite having to play the final game shorthanded due to one of their players having to leave for a prior hockey commitment.

Pictured L-R: Evan Reid (Coach), Andrew Konopelski, Carter Mack and Jakob Konopelski. Missing from the photo are Braxton Winterholt and Coach Dale Dillabough-Young. (Submitted photo/Evan Reid)

The junior boys’ success this season comes with all four members of the team still a year younger than much of their competition, as Grade 8’s, building on their bronze medal finish as a predominantly Grade 7 group last year in Wilkie.

“They’ve been in it for the long haul and they’ve been diligent, coming to practices and improving themselves and that showed on the ice as they played really, really well,” Reid said of the team. He noted as of next year, they will be eligible to compete in both the junior and senior ranks as Grade 9s, providing the athletes a unique opportunity to continue to grow their game.

“That’s the cool thing about a Grade 9 year; you can play both, and I’d love to see them pushed at a higher level of competition again to facilitate their continued development in the sport,” the coach said.

Senior Boys

The Senior boys Vikings also showed a marked improvement from a year ago, building on last season’s bronze medal finish at districts to win silver this season, with three of four players returning.

The Vikings senior boys team, pictured L-R: Maddox Prescesky-Laclare (S), Gavin Browne (3rd), Lynden Mitchell (2nd), Lucas Nachtegaele (Lead), Liam Iverson (Alternate) and Evan Reid (Coach). Not pictured in the photo coach Dale Dillabough-Young. (Submitted photo/Evan Reid)

Winning the district silver in Spiritwood, the team was able to advance to regional competition in St. Walburg.

Reid said with all three of the school’s curling teams excelling this season, it should only bode well for the future of the sport, both at NBCHS and in the community. He said he’s thankful for the support of the many people who make it possible for them to travel around the province and take part in the various district and provincial tournaments and events.

“We’d just really like to say thank you, as we’ve enjoyed tremendous support from the parents in regards to transportation and packing and planning lunches, and permission for the kids during the bonspiels and that makes my life – and certainly the kids’ lives – easier when we’re playing,” he said.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

Vikings senior girls take provincial silver, cap strong season for NBCHS curling

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