Female Athlete of the Week: Ashley Miharija

This week’s female Athlete of the Week is Ashley Miharija of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Birthdate: Jan. 21 1987 Birthplace: Thunder Bay, Ont. Hometown: Thunder Bay, Ont. Curling Club: Fort William Curling Club Current Team: Team McCarville Position: Third Delivery: Right Getting to know Ashley Miharija Ashley Miharija had a front-row seat to get her first taste of competitive women’s curling, and it’s obviously reaping benefits. The former Ontario junior women’s champion skip served as an alternate for Krista McCarville’s squad at the 2009 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Victoria, and the 2009 Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings Canadian Curling Trials in Edmonton. So when McCarville’s long-time lead Lorraine Lang retired following the Trials, the natural candidate to take her spot in the lineup was Miharija, who took over at second while former second Kari McLean switched to lead. She showed she belonged with a strong on-ice debut at the 2010 Scotties in Sault Ste. Marie, where she finished for fourth place among seconds in shooting percentage, and fired a blistering 93 per cent game at Manitoba’s Jill Thurston in a playoff tiebreaker victory. The Ontario champs, who are rounded out by vice-skip Tara George, went on to finish third after losing the semifinal to P.E.I.’s Kathy O’Rourke. It wasn’t Miharija’s first time competing for a national title in the Soo; she also represented Northern Alberta at the M and M Meat Shops Canadian junior championships in 2008, finishing with an 8-4 record before losing out in a tiebreaker. She also won a Northern Ontario mixed championship with Mike Assad, finishing with a 6-5 record in the mixed nationals in Calgary. Quick hits with Ashley Miharija Do you have any superstitions? “I don’t like changing my gum during a game if we’re winning, and I don’t like having to re-tie my shoelaces if we’re winning, especially if I’m curling well.” Three people, living or not, whom you would invite to a dinner party. “Russell Brand, Patrick Dempsey, William Wallace :)” If you could be a star any other sport, what would it be, and why? “Tennis; I like to play it, they’re in great shape and you get to wear cute outfits.” If you could change any rule in curling, which one would it be, and why? “I don’t think I would change anything.” What music do you like to listen to before a game? “Usually ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ by Journey.” Favourite: — Website? “mls.ca.” — Order from Tim Hortons? “I don’t like coffee, so hot chocolate?” — Vacation destination? “I’ve only been to Mexico; curling doesn’t leave much time for vacations.” — Junk food? “Chips!!!!” Do you have any pet peeves? “Gross eaters.” Three things you always travel with? “Wallet, cell phone, iPod.” First thing on your Bucket List? “Buy a house.” Favourite pastime between draws at cashspiels? “Napping!” One thing most people don’t know about you? “I’m very shy.” What is the biggest misconception about curlers? “That you don’t have to be in shape at all.” Your ideal shot to win an Olympic gold medal: “It doesn’t really matter, I’ll take anything — just a good team shot.”