Featured Curling Athlete: Corryn Brown

For Youth Olympian Corryn Brown, of Kamloops, B.C., the 2010 and 2011 curling seasons provided a highlight reel of accomplishments. On the ice, she won the B.C. High School Curling Championship both years. In 2010 alone, Corryn won the right to represent B.C. at the Canada Winter Games in Halifax, where she skipped her team to the gold medal. In the same year, she won the Optimist International Championship, returning to the event in 2011 to finish fourth. Also in 2011, she was the B.C. Junior Provincial runner-up and B.C. Juvenile Provincial gold medalist. Her accomplishments won her some impressive off-ice kudos as well. Curl B.C. named her 2011 Female Athlete of the year, and her team earned Team of the Year recognition. In the same year, she won the South Kamloops Secondary School Junior Female Athlete of the Year award, and her home club, the Kamloops Curling Club presented her with its Ambassador’s Award. With all these achievements, it’s no wonder Corryn was one of four young curlers selected to represent Canada at the 2012 Youth Olympic Games. Currently, she’s focused on training with her teammates (Thomas Scoffin, Derek Oryniak, and Emily Gray) for the competition which will take place in Innsbruck, Austria, this coming January. It’s hard to believe, but Corryn does have time for activities outside of curling.  She’s a soccer player too, with house league and tournament soccer trophies on the shelf. But even when it comes to volunteering, it’s curling that gets the nod. “I volunteer with the junior program,” she says, “and help them develop their curling abilities. I also volunteer at the Crown of Curling in Kamloops and help with posting scores.” Birthplace: Kamloops, B.C. Hometown: Kamloops, B.C. Curling Club: Kamloops Curling Club Current Team: Team Brown, Youth Olympic Team (Team Canada) Position: Skip, third Delivery: Right Nickname: Brownie, Rin, Cory   Quick Hits with Corryn Brown Do you have any superstitions? “Have to wear black socks every game. Listen to the same songs before each game. Wear my hair the same if we get on a winning streak; change my hair if we lose.” Three people, living or not, whom you would invite to a dinner party. “Daniel Sedin, Neil Young and Oprah Winfrey” If you could be a star in any other sport, what would it be, and why? “Hockey because I love watching the sport, love being aggressive and love being competitive.” If you could change any rule in curling, which one would it be, and why? “I would change the rule that you must be at least 19 to enter a mixed playdown because there are many capable curlers under that age and it would provide a good learning experience playing with the opposite gender.” What music do you like to listen to before a game? “Mostly just Eminem before games.” Favourite: … Website? “Facebook” … Order from Tim Hortons?  “Medium steeped tea, three sugars” … Vacation destination? “Newfoundland” … Junk food?  “Sour gummy worms” Do you have any pet peeves? “Knuckle cracking; when someone’s tag is sticking out.” Three things you always travel with? “iPod, cell phone and sunglasses.” First thing on your Bucket List? “Skydiving.” Favourite pastime between draws at cashspiels? Cards (which game?), TV, napping? “Listening to music, napping and general conversation.” One thing most people don’t know about you? “I have severe allergies to dairy, egg and peanuts.” What is the biggest misconception about curlers? “That only the skip throws and no one else, or that there is no physical activity involved.” Your ideal shot to win an Olympic gold medal: “Draw to the pin.”