Coming off a second consecutive OUA gold medal, the Western Mustangs men’s curling team is looking to keep its strong play going at the CIS/CCA Curling Nationals starting today in Edmonton.
The Mustangs women’s curling team is also representing Western at the Nationals after finishing third in OUA play this season. The Nationals run March 10-14.
The men are skipped by Evan Lilly (Sudbury, Ont.), who was selected to the OUA second-team all-star this season and at the 2009 CIS Nationals he was named All-Canadian as a second for outstanding play.
Lilly stepped into the leadership role this year and has flourished throwing 83 per cent in the OUA playoffs. Also playing an integral role for the Mustangs are vice Michael Lizmore (London, Ont.), Christopher Liscumb (Ilderton, Ont.), and Joey-Dean Lanthier (Lively, Ont.).
The first draw for the Mustangs men is today with the McGill Redmen at 9 p.m. Western is back on the ice March 11 at 10 a.m. against Saint Mary’s and at 3 p.m. to battle UPEI. They face Queen’s at 2 p.m. and Alberta at 7 p.m. on March 12, and Victoria at 8 a.m. on March 13 in their final round-robin game.
The top two teams from each pool advance to the semifinals.
The women’s team is led by skip Hollie Nicol (Markham, Ont.), lead Fiona Muirhead (London, Ont.), second Jackie Masongsong (Markham, Ont.), third Megan Balsdon (Toronto) and alternate Sarah Mason (Dundalk, Ont.).
The women also begin play March 10 at 9 p.m. against Saint Mary’s. They play against Regina at 3 p.m. and Brock at 8 p.m. on March 11. The Mustangs then face Calgary March 11 at 2 p.m. and wrap up round robin play March 13 at 8 a.m. against Manitoba.
More tournament information can be found at the CCA website (www.curling.ca/content/Championships/2010university.asp).
Check www.westernmustangs.ca for updated results which will be posted each day.