Canadian champion
Spring Valley’s Lauren Ferguson helps Nova Scotia capture U21 women’s title
HALIFAX, N.S. – Lauren Ferguson admits winning a Canadian curling championship is going to take a while to sink in.
Ferguson plays third stone with Nova Scotia’s Taylor Stevens rink, which won the 2022 New Holland Canadian under-21 women’s curling championship in Stratford, Ont., on April 1.
“Whenever we got back to the airport (on April 2) and there were people with Canada flags and stuff, it felt a bit more real,” Ferguson told the SaltWire Network in a phone interview on April 3. “I don’t think it will hit us for another few weeks yet.”
The 19-year-old Ferguson is from Spring Valley, just outside of Kensington. This is Ferguson’s second year playing with the Mary Mattatall-coached Stevens rink, which includes second stone Alison Umlah and lead Cate Fitzgerald.
Ferguson is a second-year student at Dalhousie in Halifax.
“Whenever I was finishing up high school and looking to go to university, curling was definitely part of that decision,” said Ferguson. “I was looking into what opportunities were out there for curling and teams, so I actually reached out to them because they had a player that was aging out.
“They got back to me and said they would love to have me play with them. Dal became a pretty easy choice after that.”
Team Stevens, which curls out of the Halifax Curling Club, will represent Canada at the 2023 world under-21 women’s curling championship. The site has yet to be announced.
As Canadian champions, Ferguson said the team is looking to capitalize on resources that they otherwise wouldn’t have to prepare for the worlds.
“I’m really excited to take advantage of that, learn from that and hopefully go make Canada proud,” said Ferguson, who admitted she has always had a dream of winning a Canadian championship.
“To find a way to accomplish that, it’s surreal.”
Ferguson began curling at the Silver Fox in Summerside at age nine. She also curled out of the Crapaud, Cornwall and Charlottetown clubs.
The Canadian juniors marked Ferguson’s eighth national-level competition.
The Stevens rink completed the nationals undefeated with a record of 10-0 (won-lost). However, it wasn’t easy and there were challenges along the way.
The Nova Scotia representative trailed Ontario’s Emily Deschenes 4-3, but Stevens made a difficult angle raise takeout to count two and a
5-4 lead in the eighth end on the way to a 7-5 win in the championship game.
"That was huge," said Stevens in a Curling Canada news release. "I'm still baffled by it, honestly. It felt so great."
Ferguson said a strong team chemistry helped the rink through its challenges.
“I’m really proud of our team because we knew going there we had what it took to be Canadian champions,” said Ferguson. “We just had to go out and show it.
“We had a few rough games and even in the final and our semifinal (a 7-6 come-frombehind win over Alberta), we had a bit of a rough start but we really stuck together and swing the momentum and come out on top. We just stuck to what we knew.”
Ferguson, who has extensive skipping experience, said the transition to third stone has gone very well. She likes that she gets to sweep some and hold the broom for Stevens.
“I have a lot of respect for Taylour and the way she calls the game,” said Ferguson. “Being able to play with her has been a great experience. I think third is a great spot for me, but I won’t say I miss skipping.”