Red Deer Polytechnic's Kings, Queens and Mixed curling teams have high expectations for the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference 2024-25 season.
Last season, the Kings won gold at the ACAC championships to qualify for the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association's Curlin Canada Championships in New Brunswick, where the team picked up two wins but missed the playoffs.
“They have high expectations of winning ACAC gold again," said RDP Curling head coach Brad Hamilton, who is a three-time ACAC Curling Coach of the Year.
“I don’t think the Kings were satisfied with their performance at nationals, so they’d love the opportunity to return."
The Kings will be comprised of lead Aiden Berube, second Reece Brigley, third Nick Woznesensksy, skip Jaden Morlock and first-year spare Rhett Whittmire this season.
This year's RDP Queens will be made up of lead Nicole Homan, second Morgan Deschiffart, third Cuyler Desmorneau and skip Kaylee Raniseth. Homan, Desmorneau and Raniseth were ACAC Women’s Curling All Conference team selections last season. In 2023/2024, the Queens ranked second after the Fall and Winter Regionals (10-2) and then placed fourth at the ACAC Curling Championships.
“With a few of the Queens completing their academic programs soon, they are motivated to win an ACAC Championship and go to nationals this year,” said Hamilton.
RDP's Mixed curling squad went 12-0 at the ACAC Fall and Winter Regionals, but were defeated by Lakeland College in the gold medal game. This season, the RDP student-athletes got together earlier than past years to help them prepare for the upcoming campaign.
“The team gathered during the first week of classes in September,” said Hamilton.
“We also participated in a [non-conference] bonspiel in Lethbridge September 20 and 21, which was the earliest we’ve been on the ice.”
Lead Teryn Herder and skip Cassidy Blair, both 2023-24 ACAC Mixed Curling All-Conference team members, along with second Reegan Cox and third Joel White (third) will look to improve upon last year’s ACAC silver medal as members of this season’s RDP Mixed Curling team.
Eldon Raab (Queens coach), Andrew Jones (Kings coach and RDP alum) and Jaycee Bourke (Queens coach and RDP alum) join Hamilton (Mixed team and head coach) on the RDP Curling coaching staff.
The RDP Curling teams will compete at the ACAC Fall Regional hosted by the University of Alberta – Augustana Vikings at Rose City Curling Club in Camrose from Nov. 22-24.
The combined results from the Fall and Winter Regionals determine the top four teams in each division which qualify for the ACAC Curling Championships. RDP will host the provincial championships at the Pidherney Centre from Feb. 7-9.
“It’s fun to host the ACAC Championships, but we have to earn our way there,” said Hamilton.
“The student-athletes enjoy hosting the playoffs. They can compete on their home ice and have their families watch. We are fortunate to have one of the nicest rinks in Alberta.”
