Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Ashton Simard's MacEwan Griffins rink that captured an Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference women's curling championship on Sunday is a reflection of her – patient, resilient, even-keeled and clutch in the biggest moments.
The ACAC rewarded Simard for these qualities with the conference's prestigious female curler of the year honour on Sunday.
"Probably the No. 1 thing she has and it's perfect for a skip – mental toughness," said Griffins head coach Tom Kitagawa. "She's very cool under fire.
"She's very mentally calm, even-keeled. If you watch the Scotties, it's the same thing. She reads the ice really well, throws a rock very well – technical skills, strategy skills, she's all very strong."
Simard, who is in her fourth year with the Griffins, led her rink back from a 5-0 deficit in Sunday's final to stun UAlberta-Augustana 8-5 and capture the sixth ACAC women's curling banner in program history.
"We kind of just stuck with our plan and we tried to make it a little more complicated and just made our shots when we had to," she said of overcoming the seemingly insurmountable deficit with back-to-back four-point ends.
That combined with leading the Griffins to an 11-1 record in two regional events earlier this season, made the Chauvin, Alta. product a no-brainer for the ACAC female curler of the year award.
"It's definitely special to see all the hard work putting in (getting noticed)," said Simard. "Just to get recognized by teammates, coaches and competitors is definitely a special feeling."
Simard was also named the ACAC's all-star skip during a banquet in Olds on Friday night for her work during the regional events. Joining her in receiving All-Conference honours were teammates Erin Wells (all-star third) and Andie Kurjata (all-star second).
"Very well deserved," said Simard. "They've been throwing well all year. When I need them to make a big shot, I can always count on them to be there."
Erin Wells, left, and Andie Kurjata were named ACAC All-Conference at the third and second positions, respectively (Robert Antoniuk photo).
Kitagawa noted both Wells and Kurjata have the same mental fortitude as Simard – another big reason why the team was able to win the banner.
"Erin has some skip experience and she'll discuss things with Ashton," he said. "That's really what you need is a sounding board because sometimes a skip can get tunnel vision – I'm going to do this and this, but what about this option?
"Andie is probably the premier second in the ACAC. If you need a draw shot, she's pretty much there. She can also throw the big high hard one. That's huge. Most of the men can throw high hard ones, but Andie can do that in the ladies' game."
Along with teammates Taitan Hagglund and Rebecca Bartz, who rotate as leads, the Griffins are next off to the Canadian Colleges Athletic Conference championship in Fredericton, N.B. March 15-19.
"I think we're able to go compete for a medal and hopefully bring home that gold," said Simard. "Definitely, we're capable to making playoffs and we'll see what happens."
