Junior Athlete of the Week: Alanna Routledge

This week’s junior Athlete of the Week is Alanna Routledge of Montreal, Quebec. Birthdate: June 25, 1990 Birthplace: Montreal Hometown: Montreal Curling Club: Glenmore Curling Club Current Team: Team Routledge Position: Skip Delivery: Right Nickname: Al Getting to know Alanna Routledge Alanna Routledge’s first Quebec junior women’s curling championship came with her back to the wall, repeatedly. Heading to the 2007 provincials in Baie Comeau with a relatively new team (she was 16 at the time), Routledge was seeded sixth, but the team came together at precisely the right time. Routledge and Co. rattled off eight straight victories — all of which were loser-out games — to claim her first of three Quebec championships, and earn a berth in the Canadian junior championships in St. Catherines, Ont. Routledge returned to the nationals a year later in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., as Kristen Richard’s vice-skip, and made a dramatic improvement from 2-10 in her rookie debut to 7-5 and just missing out on a playoff tiebreaker scenario. And then last season, throwing third rocks for Camille-Marie Lapierre (the team was rounded out by second Melanie Maclean, lead Kelly-Ann Gazdewich and coach Christian Lapierre), the Quebec champs posted a 4-8 record while playing as the home team in Sorel-Tracy at the M and M Meat Shops Canadian junior championships. Routledge also is giving back to the sport of curling. She volunteers at her home club, and is also on the organizing committee for one of its major bonspiels. She helps recruit teams, collects entry fees and makes sure the event runs on time, which is no small feat!

Click thumbnail to enlarge (Photo: CCA/Brennan Schnell)

Click thumbnail to enlarge (Photo: CCA/Brennan Schnell)

Click thumbnail to enlarge (Photo: CCA/Brennan Schnell)

Quick Hits with Alanna Routledge Do you have any superstitions? “I always make a wish at 11:11.” Three people, living or not, whom you would invite to a dinner party. “Brad Pitt, Paul Walker, Leonardo DiCaprio.” If you could be a star any other sport, what would it be, and why? “I would love to be a star swimmer or water polo player; I played when I was younger but had to give it up for work and curling.” If you could change any rule in curling, which one would it be, and why? “One sweeper behind the tee-line. It would be neat to see if having two sweepers would make much of a difference.” What music do you like to listen to before a game? “Anything upbeat with meaningful lyrics that gets my energy flowing.” Favourite: — Website? “www.fmylife.com” — Order from Tim Hortons? “Ice cap made with chocolate milk and an everything bagel.” — Vacation destination? “Maine.” — Junk food? “Chocolate.” Do you have any pet peeves? “Driving behind people who brake for no reason (at green lights, etc.).” Three things you always travel with? “Cell phone, camera, toothbrush.” First thing on your Bucket List? “Go bungee jumping.” Favourite pastime between draws at cashspiels? “Finding weird things in the curling club to look at/read/play with, and also finding someone who is willing to give me a massage.” One thing most people don’t know about you? “I’m addicted to ginger ale!” What is the biggest misconception about curlers? “So many people think that curling is not a sport, meaning that curlers are not athletes! They don’t realize all the training that goes into every season and off-season.” Your ideal shot to win an Olympic gold medal: “Any kind of big-weight hit (even if it’s a triple take-out!), I LOVE those shots!”