ST. THOMAS HOSTS OCAA CURLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

ST. THOMAS, Ont. - Twenty-three teams representing 10 schools in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) will compete in St. Thomas, Ont. this week for the 2013 OCAA Curling Championships.

The event will be hosted by Fanshawe College at the St. Thomas Curling Club. As one of the original sports of the OCAA, this marks the 46th time collegiate curlers will compete for a provincial title.

The host Falcons have won a combined six medals in the past three provincial championships. The Fanshawe men's and women's team are the reigning national champions, as they look to claim OCAA gold before defending their crowns in Edmonton next month.

The Fanshawe men's team is led by veteran skip D.J. Ronaldson (Nipigon), while Jordan Ariss (London) skips the women's team. Fanshawe is one of four schools competing in the mixed competition, led by hometown skip Peter Mulders (St. Thomas).

Competitors will also be targeting the Sault Cougars, who won the provincial men's and women's team championships on home ice last February. Nick Dawson (Sault Ste. Marie) and Michelle MacLeod (Iroquois Falls) return as skips as they look to repeat.

Other schools competing in St. Thomas are Algoma, Confederation, Fleming, Humber, Mohawk, Niagara, St. Clair and Seneca. All schools will compete for the women's title, while all but Seneca will compete for the men's crown.

Humber, Niagara and Sault will join Fanshawe in the mixed competition.

This will be the final OCAA curling championships that Algoma competes in as it makes the move to Ontario University Athletics (OUA) in 2013-14. Algoma has won six OCAA curling medals in its history.

Competition begins Wednesday evening, and runs through Sunday.

Championship Website: http://www.fanshawec.ca/services/student-services/athletics/2013-ocaa-provincial-curling-championships

Championship Schedule
Wednesday, February 13
Draw 1 - 9 p.m.

Thursday, February 14
Draw 2 - 8:30 a.m.
Draw 3 - 12 p.m.
Draw 4 - 3:30 p.m.
Opening Ceremonies - 6 p.m.
Draw 5 - 8:20 p.m.

Friday, February 15
Draw 6 - 9 a.m.
Draw 7 - 12:30 p.m.
Draw 8 - 4:20 p.m.
Draw 9 - 8 p.m.

Saturday, February 16
Draw 10 - 8:30 a.m.
Draw 11 - 12 p.m.
Draw 12 - 3:30 p.m.
Championship Banquet - 7:30 p.m.
Tiebreakers (if necessary)* - 10 p.m.

Sunday, February 17
Semifinals - 9 a.m.
Championship Finals - 2 p.m.

*If multiple tiebreakers are required, an additional draw will be added Sunday at 8:30 a.m., with semifinals and finals being played at 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., respectively.

- OCAA -

ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is a recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 30 members sponsoring 16 league and tournament championships.

For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
Fax: 416-426-7308
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com