Junior Athlete of the Week: Jessie Scheidegger

This week’s junior Athlete of the Week is Jessie Scheidegger of Diamond City, Alberta. Birthdate: Nov. 10, 1990 Birthplace: Lethbridge, Alta. Hometown: Diamond City, Alta. Curling Club: Calgary Curling Club and Lethbridge Curling Club Current Team: Team Chyz Position: Second Delivery: Right Getting to know Jessie Scheidegger Jessie Scheidegger has one more crack at a Canadian junior curling championship, and she wants to make the best of it. She came oh-so-close two seasons ago, throwing second stones for big sister Casey and finishing third at the 2009 M and M Meat Shops Canadian junior championships in Salmon Arm; that Alberta team posted a 9-3 round-robin record before dropping an agonizing extra-end decision to Manitoba’s Kaitlyn Lawes, who went on to claim the Canadian title. Last season, Scheidegger skipped her own team after Casey aged out, and took her squad to the provincial final before losing to Nadine Chyz. And this year, Chyz and Scheidegger have teamed up, with Chyz on the teehead and the hard-throwing Scheidegger back at her natural second position where she can utilize both her sweeping strength and her ability to keep things clean in the house. Scheidegger picked up her first Alberta jacket way back in 2005, and it was a family affair as Casey skipped the team and dad Don coached it to the Alberta junior championship, and the team went on to win the prestigious Optimist International juvenile crown. Since then, Scheidegger has been a constant presence at junior provincials and other high-calibre junior events; she’s won twice at the star-studded Ray Kingsmith Memorial Bonspiel in Calgary as well as the Whitney Field Memorial Bonspiel, and last season fell one victory short of winning the Alberta mixed championship. Off the ice, Scheidegger keeps very active; she supports curling by volunteering (she worked at the 2007 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Lethbridge) and coaching in junior clinics. Also, she’s highly competitive in fast-pitch softball, having played on two provincial championship teams and competing at the Canada Cup in Vancouver.

Click thumbnail to enlarge (Photo: CCA/Michael Burns Photography)

Click thumbnail to enlarge (Photo: CCA/Michael Burns Photography)

Quick Hits with Jessie Scheidegger Do you have any superstitions? “I used to have to put on my shoes the same way and stretch the same way before a game or I thought we would lose. I have gotten over most of my superstitions because they do get in the way. I have learned how to relax more when I am playing.” Three people, living or not, whom you would invite to a dinner party. “Leonardo DiCaprio (my favourite actor), Elvis Presley (I used to be obsessed when I was younger), and Pauly D from Jersey Shore (he would spice up the party).” If you could be a star any other sport, what would it be, and why? “Tennis; I always believe they are in such good shape and it is something I am not very good at so I wish I could do it better.” If you could change any rule in curling, which one would it be, and why? “One more time-out. It always seems like I could use just one more.” What music do you like to listen to before a game? “I like Billy Talent, Nickelback, or any hit songs at that time.” Favourite: — Website? “Kijiji.com.” — Order from Tim Hortons? “Sausage breakfast sandwich on a biscuit with a large double double.” — Vacation destination? “I have not left the country; sad. But I have always wanted to go to Mexico or Italy.” — Junk food? “Chocolate-chip cookies.” Do you have any pet peeves? “Too many! I dislike most when people eat loud or chew their gum so everyone can hear.” Three things you always travel with? “Toothbrush, a pillow, and too many clothes.” First thing on your Bucket List? “Go on a vacation outside of North America.” One thing most people don’t know about you? “I have a cyst on my wrist; sick I know. I try not to tell people about it.” What is the biggest misconception about curlers? “That it is not a real sport; they do not understand that there is actually physical activity involved and it does take hard work.” Your ideal shot to win an Olympic gold medal: “My ideal shot would not be me throwing it; I would love to sweep a draw to the button, though!”