The NAIT Ooks Curling Team is set to kick off their 2018-2019 season this weekend in Red Deer.
EDMONTON, ATLA. – The NAIT Ooks Curling team is set to kick off their 2018-2019 season this weekend, as they travel to Red Deer to compete in the ACAC Curling Fall Regional tournament.
Once again the NAIT Ooks Curling program enjoyed a successful season with all three teams qualifying for the ACAC championships, in 2017-2018. The mixed team qualified first ( 8-2), the women's team qualified second (9-3) while the men finished with a 5-5 record. At the ACAC Championships, the women's and mixed teams won bronze while the men's team finished 4th. Nicole Sawiak and Jordanna Nott were named to the ACAC All-Conference mixed team. Both the men's and women's teams qualified for the CCAA championships held in Leduc. the two teams adapted well to the arena ice and won CCAA bronze medals. Ooks' head coach, Jules Owchar was named both ACAC Coach of the year and CCAA Female Coach of the year.
"Medaling at the CCAA Championships which were played for the first time on arena ice was the highlight of the season. Both the men's and women's teams were among the best at the competition," said coach, Jules Owchar
In 2018-2019 eight curlers return to the team including men's skip, Trygg Jensen and three-quarters of his team. Women's skip Emily Clark returns for her third year, however, will be rebuilding much of her team. The Ooks will be looking to get back to the successes they found last season.
"Look for the men's team to continue to develop into one of the top teams in the conference. On the mixed and women's sides, recruits will need to step up to keep the teams in the mix to qualify for the ACAC Championships," said Owchar.
Follow along all weekend: