The Churchill Community High School curling team with their silver medals. (Image Credit: Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association)

By Derek Cornet

high school sports

CCHS curling team strikes silver at provincials

Mar 9, 2026 | 4:45 PM

A silver win at the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association Provincials Girls Curling Championships in Martensville capped off a remarkable season for the Churchill Community High School (CCHS) team.

The rink, which consisted of Heidi Hardcastle (skip), Alison O’Brien (lead), Idabelle Llorente Roque (second), and Jovie Herperger (third), was a force to be reckoned with at the event. They won three games in a row against Regina’s Winston Knoll Collegiate (10-4), Lumsden High School (8-6), and Martensville High School (7-5), before meeting Saskatoon Holy Cross in the gold medal match.

The game came down to a single point as they lost to Holy Cross by a score of 5-4.

“We were in the game all the way until the last rock. It’s important to remember that’s where they were. They were up against some stiff competition, and they stood there strong and proud and did what needed to be,” said Coach James Kissick.

“They were playing against national competitors. The Holy Cross team was a national winner, a provincial winner, they won the high school last year as well.”

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The CCHS team proved early in the season they wouldn’t be going down without a fight. In February, they claimed the district title for the third year in a row, then went on to claim the regional title just a few weeks later. They went undefeated at both of those events.

“They put in a lot of work this year in practice. They have gone to competitions playing against high caliber teams,” Kissick noted.

“They truly showed they belonged at the provincial championship and they had every chance to take that gold medal. Only one [team] can win, so the silver medal finish is still a pretty amazing accomplishment.”

This marked the final season for Hardcastle and O’Brien, who will both be graduating in June. Kissick is hopeful the curling team will remain strong next season and continue the legacy which has been set.

The success achieved by the CCHS curling team wouldn’t have been possible after the rink was nearly closed three years ago. In 2023, town administration proposed re-purposing the curling facility to support a more diverse offering of activities for the community. The ice was narrowly installed after Mayor Joe Hordsyki, Coun. Abby Besharah and former Coun. Jordan McPhail all voted against doing so.

“I am truly thinking it would be a loss to the community if we get rid of the curling rink,” Kissick said.

“I would love for more people to be coming out to the curling club. I think it shows the ability for people to sport through their entire life. It allows you to use your intellect and your athletic skill to go ahead and play a game that is longstanding in this country and I think is gaining a lot more traction. I think as we are seeing higher and higher profile curling events on TV and stuff, I am hoping it will bring people back to the sport itself.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com