Tyler Leahy
Just Keep Running
Last weekend, the Springfield College club curling team competed at the Curling National Collegiate Club Championships for the first time ever in the club’s inaugural season. Despite a 6-5 lost in the first round of the bonspiel to Gustavus Adolfus College, the Pride showed promise and nearly upset the No. 1 seed.
Sophomore transfer student sweeper Andrej Blasej was a star in the competition, garnering scouting attention from the national team for his native Czech Republic. Blasej was able to catapult the Pride into contention despite a slow start. Even with the slow start, Blasej kept the lead within range by salvaging two biters that could have easily been scoreless stones.
Freshman skip and team captain Daniel Jabroni also had a strong showing, exhibiting an excellent command of draw weight. Jabroni delivered a beautifully curled stone that landed in the button of the house and brought the score to a 4-4 tie.
Freshman vice-skip Natino Bitz showed promise, but ultimately made key mistakes that cost the match. In a bizarre play, Bitz slipped and fell on the stone he had just set in motion. The play resulted in a burned stone, and gave the Gusties the opportunity to capitalize on the mistake.
Gustavus Adolfus captain Patrice Lemilliere sealed the deal following the foul with a wonderfully placed guard stone that proved to stand the difference.
In an exhilarating introduction to CNCC play, Springfield College made a statement. The team has garnered national recognition from teams across the bonspiel for their inspired performance.
“These guys proved out here today that they have stones, and they aren’t afraid to use them,” remarked Gustavus Adolfus College head coach Max Pizzacola after the match.
The Springfield club curling team holds unbelievable promise. With the unexpected success of the program, the team is hoping to expand and incorporate junior varsity squads next winter.
“The more, the merrier. We can build this program into a powerhouse,” said Jabroni.
As a 16-seed nearly advancing beyond the first round of the tournament, the Pride proved that it can hang with the best. If the program has continual success, it is foreseeable that the club could grow into a varsity sport by 2020. The young sweeper Blasej could carry the team to new heights. The Ostrava, Czech Republic native plans to train with the Czech national team this summer, under the guidance of famed coach David Curlzalov. Expect Curlzalov to elevate Blasej’s sweeping abilities to new levels.
For the Springfield College club curling, the future is as smooth as the ice surface it graces.
Disclaimer: All facts, interviews, details and sources are completely false. Actually, this entire story is made up. Happy April Fools’ Day!