The Brock Badgers curling teams are headed to Alberta this weekend with their eyes set on winning the first national championships in the program’s history.

Both Brock’s men’s and women’s curling teams qualified for the 2018 USPORTS/Curling Canada Curling Championships being hosted by the University of Alberta this Saturday, March 24 to Wednesday, March 28 in Leduc, Alberta.

The Badgers men won the Ontario University Athletics championship in Sault Ste. Marie last month while the women finished third, earning them both a berth into the USPORTS finals. The men’s OUA title was Brock’s eighth provincial or national banner won in 2017-18, tying the record for most won in a single year. A men’s or women’s win in Leduc would make this year the winningest in Badgers history.

In addition to helping break that record, a win by either team would also qualify them for the 2019 Winter Universiade in Krasnoyarsk, Russia next March.

“The Badgers prepared for the Championships with a light practice based on playing shots that they often use in their games and just trying to get a good feel in their deliveries,” said head coach Murray Etherington after a team practice at St. Catharines Golf and Country Club this week. “The men and women are ready to go and we just wanted to get some slides in and not overthink anything. Both teams are as prepared as they are going to be and are confident and ready to hit the ice.”

The National Championships are part of the Curl4Canada week-long festival in Leduc organized by both USPORTS and Curling Canada. The event will also include the 2018 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Championships, the 2018 Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championships and the 2018 Mixed Doubles Curling Championships.

The Badgers men are heading to Leduc having won their third OUA title in program history. The team is led by senior skip and two-sport athlete Eric Bradey, who has a talented core including third Jamie Waters, second Nick Lemieux, lead Ben Hughes and alternate Douglas Thomson.

“For the men to be successful they need to stick with their mantra of not looking at who they are playing, just controlling what they can control and executing their shots,” said Etherington. “They will continue to try to read the ice quickly and play the style of game that they play the best. Each player knows their role.”

The Brock women’s team is made up of skip Terri Weeks, third Jessica Humphries, second Marcia Richardson, lead Joanna Francolini and alternate Jeanette Burnside.

“The women will need to capitalize on opponents’ misses,” said Etherington. “They need to have a high makes after misses percentage and reduce unforced errors during the competition. Each player will need to recognize when scoring opportunities present themselves and take advantage of those opportunities. Play to their individual strengths and their team’s strengths. These women are a strong, resilient team.”

In addition to Etherington, who will coach the women’s team in Leduc, Mike Smith will coach the men’s team and Karen Heywood will be assistant coach of the women’s team.

Updates on the men’s and women’s teams results throughout the tournament will be available at gobadgers.ca

2018 USPORTS/Curling Canada Curling Championships Brock Badgers Men’s Draw

Saturday, March 24, 9 a.m. vs. University of New Brunswick

Saturday, March 24, 5 p.m. vs. Waterloo

Sunday, March 25, 1 p.m. vs. Ryerson

Sunday, March 25, 9 p.m. vs. Winnipeg

Monday, March 26, 9 a.m. vs. Dalhousie

Monday, March 26, 5 p.m. vs. Regina

Tuesday, March 27, 1 p.m. vs. Alberta

Tuesday, March 27, 7:30 p.m. Semifinal Round

Wednesday, March 28, Noon Gold/Bronze Medal Round

2018 USPORTS/Curling Canada Curling Championships Brock Badgers Women’s Draw

Saturday, March 24, 9 a.m. vs. Mount Allison

Saturday, March 24, 5 p.m. vs. Regina

Sunday, March 25, 1 p.m. vs. Thompson Rivers

Sunday, March 25, 9 p.m. vs. Laurier

Monday, March 26, 9 a.m. vs. Memorial

Monday, March 26, 5 p.m. vs. Queens

Tuesday, March 27, 1 p.m. vs. Alberta

Tuesday, March 27, 7:30 p.m. Semifinal Round

Wednesday, March 28, Noon Gold/Bronze Medal Round