By KEVIN BERGER, Local Journalism Initiative
The Warman High School mixed curling team managed to overcome their own expectations by earning silver at the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association (SHSAA) Provincials in Moose Jaw on March 6-7.
The team consisting of Nolan Steckler, Cordelia Scott, Cole Schielbelbein and Jake Diedrichs earned their spot at provincials at the North Central Regionals in Prince Albert on February 27-28.
There, the team had gone undefeated save for an 8-2 loss against Wadena, who would go on to claim the provincial crown.
Coach Michael Steckler said the curling program at Warman High School was started three years ago, and this was the first time a team from the school had qualified for provincials since then.
As such, he said they were somewhat unsure what the competition would be like, except that Wadena would be there and they would be tough competition.
“We weren’t sure if we would even make the playoffs,” he said.
Turns out those fears were mostly unfounded: Warman won their first three games against Glentworth (7-6), Saskatoon Marion Graham (8-7) and even Wadena (10-6), clinching a spot in the final.
Even so, Wadena managed to make it to the final and scored a 7-2 victory against Warman, who conceded after six ends.
“They got the better of us the second time around,” Steckler said. “(Our team) played really well and I think they exceeded their own expectations for the weekend. But it’s still difficult to lose that last one.”
This photo of the Warman High School mixed curling team was taken at the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association (SHSAA) Mixed Curling Provincials in Moose Jaw on March 6-7. The team consists of Nolan Steckler, Cordelia Scott, Cole Schielbelbein and Jake Diedrichs. In back is coach Michael Steckler.