Vikes women’s curling sweep their way to Canada West championship crown

February 26, 2023

VICTORIA – The University of Victoria women’s curling team swept the competition, literally, taking home the Canada West championship banner, Feb. 26, at the Victoria Curling Club. Earning a bid to the U SPORTS/ Curling Canada National Championships at Laurentian University in Sudbury, ON., Vikes veteran skip Kayla Wilson was named Canada West All-Star.

In the round robin-style tournament, the Vikes, who operate as a UVic competitive club team, beat the defending Canada West champion Regina Cougars and top-ranked varsity programs from Alberta, Calgary and Brandon, posting a perfect 4-0 record.

“It feels amazing to win, but getting to do it at home in Victoria in front of our family and friends is the best part,” said fourth-year student and team captain Kayla Wilson.

Despite coming into the tournament as a newly assembled team and relative underdogs, the Vikes had their sights set on snagging a trip to Sudbury.

“We came into the tournament wanting to get a spot to nationals, but we knew we would be up against some stiff competition, and we would have to earn it,” said first-year student Meredith Cole. “Our goal is now to bring a banner home to Victoria.”

While most other university programs practice and compete year-round, the Vikes women’s team came together just a few short months ago. Aside from Wilson, the other four athletes are first- and second-year students.

However, despite their inexperience as a team, there is no lack of curling experience among the athletes who have all been competing in the sport of curling since they were kids, upwards of 12 years a piece.

“We’ve all either played together or competed against one another over the years, so we’ve known each other for a long time. I’ve played with our skip Kayla and Meredith, and we’re all close friends, which I think is important,” said first-year student Mahra Harris.

Recently winning the BC Junior Curling Championships, Harris and Cole will compete at the New Holland Canadian U21 Curling Championships in Rouyn-Noranda, QUE., the week following the U SPORTS Championships.

“We came into the tournament wanting to get a spot to nationals, but we knew we would be up against some stiff competition, and we would have to earn it,”

While the athletes say their communication and resilience as a team was the key to their success, head coach Alex Horvath said that the veteran presence of skip Kayla Harris helped calm and lead the team throughout the weekend.

“These girls have all played together, but we haven’t had that much time to practice as a group as some of these other teams. This is Kayla’s second time at Canada West, and her veteran presence was impressive and really nice to have,” said Horvath.

While the team prepares for nationals, it will be without head coach Horvath who is representing BC at the Tim Horton’s Brier Cup alongside island-based teammates Sterling Middleton and Jason Ginter. Horvath will meet the team in Sudbury following the Bier Cup.

On the men’s side of the draw, the very young and newly assembled UVic team battled hard but fell short, going 0-4. Men’s head coach Cody Hall was named Canada West Coach of the Year.

As a UVic competitive club program, the Vikes operate in a pay-to-play model. They are fundraising for their trip to nationals from March 15-19.

Please donate here if you are interested in supporting the club and their trip across the country to compete at the highest level.