New team, new perspective

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This article was published 28/11/2023 (868 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It looked like Team Abby Ackland was the future of Manitoba curling.

Their breakthrough came at the 2022 DeKalb Superspiel in Morris, Man., when Ackland, third Meghan Walter, second Sara Oliver and lead Mackenzie Elias made a massive statement by winning the 20-team event with a 7-3 victory over Saskatchewan’s Nancy Martin in the championship game.

Results weren’t going their way earlier in the year, so they decided to make a switch and have Walter, who was just 20 at the time, throw the final stones.

It paid off big time.

“I think our confidence was probably the highest it was after we had won,” said Ackland, 28. “To actually win such a big bonspiel, all of us felt really good after that.”

They continued to roll after the weekend in Morris. They made it to the provincial final — a 10-5 loss to Jennifer Jones — but still qualified for the Scotties Tournament of Hearts as a wild card.

Their inexperience got the best of them as the foursome out of East St. Paul Curling Club finished nationals at 3-5, but their future looked incredibly bright.

The off-season changed things.

Walter and Elias joined forces with New Bothwell’s Kate Cameron — who is back skipping for the first time in a decade after playing third for the likes of Michelle Englot, Laura Walker, and Casey Scheidegger — and import Taylor McDonald (Edmonton).

Ackland and Oliver were left hanging before agreeing to pair up with a duo from Saskatchewan: Jolene Campbell and Rachel Erickson.

Erickson was born in Brandon, making the team elgibile to play out of Manitoba.

“It was an adjustment, obviously. We had long-term goals set out as a new team and as a young team. But we respected their decision,” said Ackland.

“I think time heals all wounds. Over time, I think everybody realizes that’s kind of the name of the game in curling and we have to respect whatever decisions people think is best for them.”

Campbell, a 42-year-old from Regina, and Erickson, a 24-year-old from Maryfield, spent the past two years playing with Chelsea Carey.

They reached out when they saw Ackland and Oliver were available and the rest is history.

Campbell is skipping, Ackland’s at third, Erickson’s the second, and Oliver is playing lead.

“I think for a young team that had so much success, I was surprised to see them as free agents. Pleasantly surprised, obviously, as it worked out for me,” said Campbell with a laugh.

“I didn’t really know either of the girls that well, we’ve just played against them, obviously, and always thought they were pretty great players. So, we just figured we’d give it a go.”

The Manitoba-Saskatchewan connection has been a success so far. They made the final at their first event and have a semi-final appearance as well as several quarter-finals to their names as well. They’re currently No. 11 in the Canadian Team Ranking System and will look to improve on that this week at the 2023 DeKalb Superspiel (Dec. 1-4) at the Morris Curling Club. There are 24 women’s teams from around the world that will be competing. The men’s side features 16.

“Although we did win last year, it was obviously a different team and we’re a new team this year. All season we haven’t been putting too much pressure on ourselves,” said Ackland.

“Our goals together are a little bit more long term so we’re just trying to grow every game and every shot.”

Campbell is back at skip for the first time since 2016-17 but feels right at home. She’s made it to the Scotties on six occasions, most recently in 2022 as a wild card.

“I think we just have phenomenal communcation. Jolene is obviously a little older, so it’s been nice to hear some things that she has to offer the team like her wisdom,” said Ackland.

“She’s really good at strategy so it’s really good to learn her perspective on that.”

Campbell and Co. will be a contender at Manitoba Scotties in Morden (Jan. 23-28). With Jones and Kerri Einarson already having their spots for nationals secured, Campbell, Cameron and Kaitlyn Lawes will be the top three teams vying for the Buffalo.

Manitoba men’s provincials takes place Feb. 6-11 in Stonewall. The junior men’s and women’s provincials are slated for Feb. 21-25 in Carman.

“You wouldn’t choose Manitoba as a place to try to make a Scotties run, it’s pretty deep there. But the nice thing is playing out of a province that talented is that if you come out on top at a provincial that you know you can compete at a national,” said Campbell. “I think that’s where we’re looking and we think we can contend there.”

Fort Rouge hosting mixed doubles event

The next stop on the Mixed Doubles Super Series tour is in Winnipeg at the Fort Rouge Curling Club (Nov. 30-Dec. 3).

Laura Walker and Kirk Muyres (Edmonton), Aileen Gerving and John Shuster (USA), and Kerri and Kyle Einarson (Camp Morton) are some of the notable names that will be in action.

Senior Nationals start this weekend

The Everest Canadian Seniors Curling Championship kicks off Sunday in Vernon, B.C., and wraps up Dec. 9.

Representing Manitoba in the women’s bracket is Charleswood’s Joelle Brown, Maureen Bonar, Allyson Bell, Natalie Harding, and alternate Deb McCreanor.

Petersfield’s Dave Boehmer, Dale Lott, Sean Bracken, George Hacking, and alternate Scott Szydlik are Team Manitoba in the men’s tournament.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

X: @taylorallen31