Family, friends, and well-wishers from Virden and area gathered in the upstairs lounge at the Virden Curling Club on January 28 to give Team Freeman a rousing send-off as they head east to represent the province at two national curling events this month.
Speaking on behalf of his team of Rylan Graham (lead), Jack Steski (second) and Elias Huminicki (third), Skip Jace Freeman commented on his team’s goals and chances for success after a stellar season so far in his home province.
“I’d say our team goals are probably to make the playoffs first at both nationals, and we’ll go from there and try to reach the podium,” he said.
Coach Graham Freeman, Jace’s father, is confident in the foursome’s ability to make a good showing against some stiff opponents.
“They’re an amazing crew for their ages…their skill sets and the way they think through the game,” he said. “They are way beyond their years. They’ve come together quickly as a team and developed a nice on ice rapport together. These guys can do it. I think they’ll represent us really proudly.”
Both Jace and Graham took note of the support and backing which has come from the Virden Curling Club and the community at large.
“We’re all really excited to represent Virden Curling Club at both national events,” Jace said. “We are going to try our best to represent the club the best we can. We appreciate everything everyone’s done for us in the community.”
Erin Barkley, President of the Curling Club, extended best wishes and presented the team with a donation to help with expenses.
“You have definitely made Virden proud, and we are very excited to cheer you on in the next two national events,” she said.
The club hosted a raffle and online 50/50 draw to raise funds to assist the curlers with travel and accommodation expenses.
At press time, the team is en route to the Canadian National U18 Curling Championships in Timmins, Ontario, which runs from February 5 to 11. They will then head to Summerside, Prince Edward Island to compete as Team Manitoba in the Canada Winter Games from February 28 to March 5. A second team skipped by Freeman, 18, will represent Virden at the U21 National Junior Men’s Curling Championship in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec from March 25 to April 2.
See more about this team here.
