The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is proud to announce Karynn Flory of the NAIT Ooks has been named the 2026 ACAC Curling Coach of the Year.

Flory has been the NAIT Ooks head coach since 2021 and has quickly established herself as a leader within the ACAC curling community. Under her guidance, the NAIT Ooks men's curling team has qualified for the CCAA National Championships in every season she has coached, a testament to her commitment to athlete development and competitive excellence.

Beyond results, Flory is known for her dedication to mentorship and growth across the entire curling program. She has played a key role in developing athletes on the men's, women's, and mixed teams, often welcoming new curlers to the sport and guiding them through an accelerated learning process to prepare them for collegiate competition. Her passion for teaching and her willingness to take on developing athletes has helped strengthen the depth and culture of the NAIT curling program.

Curling has been a part of Flory's life for over 20 years, with experience competing at the junior, collegiate, and ladies levels in provincial and national events. As a former NAIT student-athlete, she medaled in all four ACAC Provincial Championships and CCAA National Championships during her collegiate career, including one provincial championship. Her return to NAIT as a coach reflects her strong connection to the program and her desire to give back as a leader and mentor.

"NAIT Athletics would like to congratulate Karynn on receiving this award," said Jordan Richey, Director of NAIT Athletics and Recreation. "It is a true testament to the amount of work she has put in to establish a strong culture within the NAIT curling program. Karynn's strength is that she really emphasizes the complete student-athlete experience. She is a deserving recipient of the ACAC Curling Coach of the Year award."

This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2026 ACAC Curling Championship hosted by Portage College in Lac La Biche, Alberta.