Elkhorn’s Ashlie Jewar helped the Assiniboine Community College women’s curling program make a successful return to the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association championships after decades away.
The ACC men’s and women’s curling programs had great success in the 1980s but later went away. Led by Manitoba Curling Hall of Famer Maureen Bonar, the program returned to the ice this winter with a men’s rink and a women’s team. The ACC women’s rink, including Jewar, won its opening game at nationals – 10-9 over Ontario’s Mohawk College.
“We were all thrilled to win our opening game at nationals,” the daughter of Kennie and Kathy Jewar said. “We knew the competition there would be different than what we had seen all year, so nerves were high for sure. But coming out on top in our first game gave us a major boost. It felt great and kicked off the tournament in a great way.”
The Cougars women’s rink went 2-5 at nationals in Fredericton, N.B. It had a loss that came down to the last rock.
“The thing I enjoyed most about nationals was enjoying curling in a new way and connecting with both teams,” said Jewar, who is enrolled in ACC’s social service worker program. “We built memories that we will carry with us for the rest of our lives. Aside from the fun with the teams, playing at that level was something I never thought I’d get to experience so I am beyond grateful for that.”
Jewar was utilized mostly at second for the Cougars. She also skipped a few games during the season.
“Her strengths as a curler are that she keeps a very calm approach to the game,” Bonar said. “She is always trying to improve her delivery and she is a very caring person when it comes to her team.”
In preparation for nationals, the ACC women’s rink played in a Brandon Curling Club evening league. As well, it competed in three bonspiels.
“The team was formed from four people that did not know each other,” said Bonar, who has won a provincial title at the junior, women’s and senior women’s levels. “Some had curled more in their past than others. … I think overall they learned a lot about curling and competing at a higher level, and what it takes to play at that level.”
Jewar remembers watching curling on TV when she was very young. Her father, a curler, “has always loved the game and taught me the respect that comes with curling,” she said. Jewar got her start in the sport in an after-school program in Elkhorn. Her first bonspiel was 11 years ago through 4-H.
“I fell in love with the sport at that bonspiel because of the great people and the fun that was had on the ice,” Jewar said. “When the game started to become competitive for me in high school, I developed a new passion to grow my skills in the game. Attending high school provincials two years in a row was where I grew as an athlete and found the passion and drive to continue curling.”
Throughout her curling career, Jewar has been strongly supported by her parents.
“My Dad made it to my games every chance he could, and Mom would come out even when it was freezing cold in the rink. She would watch the games for hours not knowing what was going on at all,” she joked. “I owe a lot of my success to my Dad, Kennie. He got me into the sport and reminds me every time I step on the ice how special the game is. Still to this day he’ll make the long drives to be there to cheer me on and be there to congratulate me regardless of the outcome of the game. Both my parents are the reason I am where I am today, and I couldn’t thank them enough for being the most supportive people in my curling career. I am truly blessed to have this sport in my life and the friendships I have gained from my time at ACC are beyond special.”
