ACAC Curling Championships
by ACAC Sports Writer Curtis J. Phillips
It was October 10, 2016 that the Concordia University of Edmonton athletic department sent out a media release announcing the hiring of their new head curling coach Dylan Theroux.
His resume included 13 years as "both a player and a coach" and from "2009 to 2012, Theroux competed against the top tier curlers in the province and placed 4th in both the 2010 and 2012 Alberta Juvenile Provincials".
It continued, "On the coaching side, Theroux has been active in university sport for three years and has completed his Level 2 Competitive Curling Coaching Certificate as well as his Making Ethical Decisions Certificate."
The media release ended with, "We wish him all the best in his future endeavours."
Well, that wish, along with plenty of work on his behalf, and more importantly the Thunder student/athletes, came to fruition, as they captured the women's and mixed team curling gold medals at the 2016-2017 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Curling Provincials held at the Vermilion Curling Club February 24-26, 2017 and hosted by the Lakeland College Rustlers.
The Thunder women's team of Veronica Maschmeyer, skip; Adrienne Maschmeyer, third; Jessica Panchyshyn, second and lead Madysan Theroux, defeated the Red Deer Queens 9-4 in the final draw Saturday.
""They were definitely one of the strongest teams at provincial play," said Theroux, of the foursome with the Maschmeyers hailing from Bruderheim, Alberta while Panchyshyn and Madysan Theroux are from Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta respectively.
"We came out rough for the opening (a 6-5 loss Friday to the NAIT Ooks) but we were able to figure out the ice and we talked a lot and we were able to communicate and regroup right through to the medal game."
In their other Friday matchup the Thunder beat the Queens 6-5.
Saturday they had a victory against University of Alberta Augustana Vikings 6-4 before falling to the Queens 8-2.
Theroux continued with his accolades in regards to the women's team: "They get along really well and the team dynamics are probably the best in (ACAC) women's curling. When something is wrong…they fix it."
The heavily contested mixed curling had the Thunder opening Friday with a 8-5 decision against the MacEwan University Griffins followed by 7-6 win against the Queens.
Saturday saw the Thunder doubling up the host Rustlers 6-3 and then 7-1.
Sunday's mixed team final was Thunder beating the Queens 9-4 for gold status.
"I was blessed with some really good athletes that wanted to learn and progress in curling," said Theroux, of the mixed team composed of Evan Van Amsterdam, skip; Brooke Gelasco, third; Tyler Van Amsterdam, second and lead Melissa Palsitt.
"The skip (Evan Van Amsterdam) is very smart and very strong as well. He was able to make shots when they were needed. They were good under pressure and with the physicality and mentality, they were able to push though."
In men's team completion it was the Vikings defeating the Ooks 5-4 in the final.
Gold and silver medal winners now advance to the 2017 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association(CCAA) Curling National Championships to be hosted by the Vikings March 22-25, 2017 in Camrose, Alberta at the Rose City Curling Club.
"I'm ecstatic to be going to my first (CCAA Curling Nationals)," admits Theroux. "I never got to go to a nationals as a curler but now as a coach it will be an experience itself.
"Alberta has some of the top athletes in curling, so until then, we will keep hitting the ice and also the gym twice a week."