Vernon Curlers Sweep Regional Playdowns

By Jeremy


Two talented curling teams from Vernon showed off their curling prowess earlier this month at regional playdowns, earning them each a coveted berth in the 2011 BC Provincial Men’s Championships.

The playdowns (a curling term for a qualifier), hosted by the McArthur Island Curling Club in Kamloops, were held from December 10th to December 12th, featuring men’s teams from across the Interior of British Columbia. Vernon skip Aron Herrick, third Tobin Senum, second Marc Fillion and lead Jason Wizniak started the tournament on Friday with a close 9-8 decision to Tom Buchy of Kimberely in an extra end of play. The Herrick rink’s next two draws against the Dahms and Pierce teams were won by wide margins, allowing them to advance to the final. In the final, Herrick played Kamloops’ Brent Yamada rink. Though the Vernon team got off to an early lead, they were down two points in the tenth and final end of play. However, the Herrick rink sealed the deal by scoring five in the final end, making for a 10-7 score and an undefeated record at the playdowns.

At the same event, another Vernon team saw much success. The rink, consisting of skip Darin Heath, third Gary Vandenberghe, second Ryan Le Drew and lead Darrell Houston, handily won their first two games against the Decap and Griffith rinks. The Heath team ran into some trouble in their third game against Brent Yamada, losing 6-7 in an extra-end thriller. However, the foursome bounced back, cruising to victories against Firman and Buchy. To qualify for the provincials, Heath needed to defeat the Folk rink, skipped by former world champion Rick Folk. The Vernon quartet slid their way into a provincial berth by a score of 8-4, taking the provincial qualifying spot.

As a result of these successes, both of the Vernon-based Herrick and Heath rinks will be playing in the 2011 CDI BC Men’s Provincial Championships hosted by the Vernon Curling Club from February 7th-13th, 2011. Additionally, local curlers Jim Cotter and Rick Sawatsky have already qualified for the tournament as a part of the successful Bob Ursel team, and Vernonite Tyler Orme will be playing as part of the defending champion team of Jeff Richard. The winner of the championships will represent British Columbia at the Tim Hortons Brier in London, Ontario.

Merk's rant

Well, it’s almost Christmas. Things are winding down at the club. Tonight we are having Cod Gone Wild playing at ‘Merk’s Christmas Drop-in’. Music will start at 8:30 or 9. Turkey shoot starts around 8. Come and cheer on your league rep, and enjoy some festive music & cocktails. VIP Charters are driving the teams for the National. I have hooked them for tonight’s party, if you don’t want to drink & drive. The cost is $10 per person, in town and more for the outskirts. There will be a sign-up at the bar for rides home at 11pm, midnight and 1am. They can take up to 28 passengers. Tonight is the early bird draw for the raffle. Your chance to win two passes for the 2011 Men’s Provincials being hosted here.


The National is on at the Wesbild Center. I have been there to see a few draws, and the curling is great. I encourage you to go and watch. Our very own Jim Cotter, Rick Sawatsky and Tyrel Griffith are on the ice.

Next week there are only evening leagues scheduled. The proshop will be open noon til 8pm Mon, Tue & Wed only.

Have you signed up for the 2 on 2 bonspiel yet? Dec 28-30th. Details on the website. Need more teams.

The Men’s spiel is Jan 6-9th, sign up at the bar. The GOODS are the feature band Saturday evening.

Good luck to Jon Gardner & Jenn Gerow teams at the BC Junior Provincials Dec 27-31st. Follow the action at www.playdowns.com

Everyone have a Merry Christmas. See you in the New Year. Leagues resume Sun Jan 2nd.

Vernon Teams On the Button at Junior Playdowns

By Jeremy

Vernon Curling Club was well represented at regional junior curling playdowns as two local teams swept their way to spots in the provincial championships.

The playdowns, hosted by Salmon Arm Curling Club on the 27th and 28th of November, featured both junior men’s and women’s divisions. The Gardner rink, comprised of lead Jonathan Hatten, second Michael Hiram, third Michael Longworth, skip Jonathan Gardner and coach Mark Longworth, had a rough start to the qualifier and lost their first game in a close match on Saturday. However, they rebounded quickly and curled their way to three consecutive victories by large margins, ultimately winning in a 9-2 final against the Kristjanson foursome of Kamloops, forcing handshakes after just five ends of play.

In junior women’s play, Jenn Gerow’s Vernon rink proved to be on the broom by going undefeated in the playdowns. Lead Vanessa Samborsky, second Melissa Moen, third Kayte Giles, skip Jenn Gerow and coach Brent Giles cruised to a clear victory in their first draw against Alyssa Kyllo that earned the team a place in the final. After falling behind after six ends of play, the Vernon team stole points in ends seven, nine and ten to edge out the Corryn Brown rink of Kamloops 8-6, winning their spot in the provincial championships.

Meanwhile, the playdowns proved to be a challenge for BC Winter Games gold medalist Chad Kyllo and his Vernon rink. Lead Lucas Hofer, second Danial Campbell, third Colby Nowlin, skip Chad Kyllo and coach Steve Campbell had a difficult time hitting their stride on the weekend, losing their first game to Armstrong’s Cliff rink and narrowly giving up their second match against Lumby’s Forester rink. Additionally, a fellow Vernon rink skipped by Kayla Gunner fell to the Alyssa Kyllo team in their third game, missing a qualifying berth this year. Also, well-known former Vernon resident Alyssa Kyllo and her Kamloops rink (coached by CurlBC Club Volunteer of the Year award winner Scott Kyllo) missed the provincial championships this year as well, losing first to Jenn Gerow and then Corryn Brown. Despite the losses at playdowns, the Kyllo siblings, Kayla Gunner and their respective teams are sure to make a splash on the curling scene in the near future.

To keep sharp for playdowns and other tournaments, the Gardner, Gerow and Gunner rinks all play in the Baron Insurance Super League on Wednesday nights, where their skills are put to the test by other expert curlers, including some that have played in the Brier. The experience assists them in their quest towards the provincial title.

As a result of their victories at playdowns this season, the Jonathan Gardner and Jenn Gerow rinks have earned berths in the junior provincial championships being held at the North Shore Winter Club in North Vancouver at the end of December. There, they will aim to represent British Columbia in the Canadian Junior Championships in Calgary, and then play to become the Canadian team at the World Championships in Perth, Scotland, United Kingdom.