Experienced squads

Panthers set for AUS championships

The UPEI Panthers are ready to rock.

The Panthers will compete at the Subway Atlantic University Sport (AUS) Curling Championships in Truro, N.S., beginning Thursday and running through Sunday, and they bring plenty of experience to the ice.

The women’s side is skipped by four-time provincial junior champion Sabrina Smith, who also recently represented P.E.I. at the Canadian Mixed Curling Championship in Yarmouth, N.S.

Meghan Ching, runner-up at the 2015 P.E.I. under-18 championships, will serve as Smith’s mate, reigning Atlantic under18 champion and provincial junior champion Breanne Burgoyne is at second and Annika Kelly will throw lead stones. On the men’s side, the team will be skipped by Chris Gallant, a former U Sports national champion, who competed at the 2015 World Universiade in Granada, Spain.

Gallant’s mate is Kyle Holland, a two-time provincial junior champion and former Atlantic under-18 champion, who curled with Smith at the 2016 Canadian mixed doubles in Saskatoon.

Alex MacFadyen, a 2015 Atlantic under-18 champion, will throw second stones while twotime provincial junior champion Brooks Roche is the lead. Paul Smith coaches the women’s team, while Peter Gallant handles coaching duties for the men’s side. Islanders Alex Sutherland and Lauren MacFadyen are playing with UNB and St. FX. The top three teams in both the men’s and women’s draws will compete at the U Sports/ Curling Canada University Championships, hosted by Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ont. from March 18-22.