Herd is the word!

Pair of Manitoba representatives leading the pack at 2024 New Holland Canadian Under-21 Curling Championships 

Though they may be in separate pools, both Team Manitoba #1’s Jordon McDonald and Team Manitoba #2’s Jace Freeman are leading the herd as pool front-runners at the 2024 New Holland Canadian Under-21 Curling Championships.  

And as draw 13 concluded Thursday afternoon from the Suncor Leisure Community Centre at MacDonald Island Park in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo, Alta., both Manitoba reps added wins to their records, seeing McDonald’s Winnipeg rink down Newfoundland and Labrador’s Parker Tipple (3-3; St. John’s) 6-4 and Freeman’s Virden squadron topple Prince Edward Island’s Jack MacFadyen (0-6; Cornwall) by a 9-6 score. 

For Team Manitoba #1, composed of vice-skip Dallas Burgess, second Elias Huminicki, lead Cameron Olafson and coach William Lyburn, the win firmly vaults it to the interim top spot in Pool A with an unblemished 7-0 record. 

“We were really confident going into this event,” said McDonald. “We knew if we played well, we’d be right in there at the end of the week. Thrilled with this result so far and we’re going to try to continue grinding out wins.” 

McDonald already has a playoff berth secured, but with only three teams from each of the nine-team pools qualifying for the playoffs and the pool winner securing a direct bye to a semifinal, there’s still plenty to play hard for. 

“It’s really important,” McDonald said. “To get a game further and get into the medal games is super important for us.” 

Top spot isn’t locked up for Team Manitoba #1 just yet. Team Saskatchewan #2’s Dylan Derksen (6-0; Martensville) is also undefeated at the New Holland U-21s and can make up ground with a game in hand on the Assiniboine Memorial Curling Club team. 

Team Saskatchewan #2 will play two games tomorrow; first versus fellow Saskatchewanians Matthew Drewitz (3-2; Saskatoon) of Team Saskatchewan #2 at 9 a.m., (all times Mountain), followed by a 7 p.m., matchup with Team Manitoba #1. 

The evening feature on Friday could set the table for a single-game showdown for top spot in Pool A as a semifinal berth hangs in the balance, but McDonald is keeping his cool. 

“I think it’s just another game for us,” said McDonald. “We’ve made the playoffs, and the next goal is semi. Whether we have to do it through the quarter or not, whatever happens, happens. We’re feeling really good with how we’re playing right now and we’re hoping to keep it up.” 

Meanwhile, Team Manitoba #2’s Jace Freeman is enjoying sustained success atop Pool B with a 6-1 record with one round-robin game remaining.  

“It feels great,” said Freeman. “It hasn’t always felt like we should be here at times. These last couple games have been rough, but we started off the week so well with our first five game being our best all year, so we can’t be in a better spot.” 

With a playoff spot already secured, Team Manitoba #2, rounded out by vice-skip Ryan Ostrowsky, second Nick Sneff, lead Luke Robbins and coach Graham Freeman, can put an exclamation point on its performance and lock up Pool B’s top spot with a win over Team Nova Scotia #1’s Calan MacIsaac (4-2; Truro) tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. 

“Oh, that would be huge,” Freeman said of the prospect of a direct bye to a semifinal. “That’s definitely our goal. We know we’re into the quarterfinal so that’s a huge weight off our shoulders but getting a bye to the semi is just massive.” 

Freeman has his sights set on a breakthrough performance after being stymied in previous national championships playoff campaigns. 

“I’ve actually lost four national quarterfinals in the past,” laughed Freeman. “I’d love to maybe just avoid that if we could.” 

Action from the 2024 New Holland Canadian Under-21 Curling Championships continue Thursday evening at 7 p.m. 

Select games from two sheets will be broadcast live on Curling Canada’s streaming platform, Curling Canada +. Sheet C will feature a complete broadcast with commentary and sheet D will be a static overhead camera broadcast.  

For the list of teams, draw, standings and live scores, visit the event website.