It was another busy winter on the ice for Oak Lake’s Marc Vachon.
The Brandon University student represented his school at the Western Canadian University Curling Championships for the second straight year. As well, the son of Louis and Sherri Vachon competed in junior curling and played in the mixed doubles provincials with his older sister, Janelle.
“What keeps me curling is the atmosphere of getting to play with and compete against people of diverse backgrounds,” Vachon said. “I love the chance to improve my skills every season and pushing myself and my teammates to new goals. Curling is a growing sport and I am looking forward to growing with it.
“Watching the Olympics, the Brier and events like them always pushes me forward - watching players who have put in the time and sacrificed for the game having successes on the national and international level. Also there is no feeling comparable to throwing or being any part of the final game-winning shot.”
“Well-rounded player”
Brandon University curling coach Duane Payette said Vachon is a very well-rounded player with a love of the game of curling. Payette said that Vachon is versatile and has played all of the positions at one time or another. Playing mixed doubles has shown his skills in sweeping and making soft shots, the coach said.
As well as curling skills, Vachon has impressed at BU with his personality on and off the ice.
“He’s a guy that’s very dedicated to the sport when out on the ice, but also has the time to let loose and have fun with his teammates off the ice,” BU skip Bryce Cisyksaid.
“It’s very difficult to see the guy without a smile on his face when he’s around the sport and he puts in the time to make himself better by throwing stones at the rink after a game and working out at the gym.”
At the University Westerns in Edmonton, the team did not secure a win but faced stiff competition and changing ice conditions, Payette said.
“They showed heart and effort in each game. We didn’t get in a lot of practices as a team as members were focusing on their junior teams up until the new year. That was unfortunate because they are very good players and didn't get the results they deserved at Westerns.”
In junior competition, Vachon curled with Justin Gerrard, fellow BU teammate Beau Bridgeman, and Quinn Robins on a rink coached by Clayton Robins. They went 3-4 record at provincials, including beating the second seed.
Vachon, a third-year math major at BU, has always had the backing of his family when it comes to his curling career. His support group includes his grandparents Dorothy and Bob Willman.
“My dad has been my official or unofficial coach my whole curling career, and can always be counted on being there week after week, working with me on the ice… and is a large part of any successes that I’ve had. I also can count on my mom and my grandparents to show up to support me, on the good days and the bad days.”
