STEPHEN UHLER

stephen.uhler@sunmedia.ca

The Pembroke Little Rocks made a good showing of themselves as they took part in the Hog Line Curlers Proshop Ottawa Valley Curling Association Little Rock Championship, which was held recently at the RCMP Curling Club in Ottawa.

While they didn't take home any titles, the team did bring away accolades for their grit and determination, in the organization's first appearance at a regional championship in more than 20 years.

Chandra Tyson, whose daughter, Lindsey, went down as a spare on the team along with skip Cole Lacroix-Lyon, third Kayla Donovan, second Marajaah Barnes, and lead Renee Fleurant, said it was a great accomplishment just to be there.

"This is the first year they all played together as a team," she said, and they did well.

Having reached the championships after qualifying for it in March by finishing second in the Zone 3 playdown at the Carleton Heights Curling Club in Ottawa, the team spent their spring break working hard to hone their game.

"The Pembroke Curling Club lent us ice time," Mrs. Tyson said, and the players gave up their free time to work on their game and get ready for the regional championship.

Hitting the ice of the RCMP Curling Club, the players were nervous but performed well, winning by a rock.

"By the second game they were starting to have trouble," she said, as they hadn't had the chance to eat lunch yet. Still, the Pembroke team managed to hold off their opponents, but would lose by two points. The third game, which closely followed, was lost by eight points.

But winning wasn't really the point, Mrs. Tyson said. The team had already been winners in the eyes of the Pembroke Curling Club and their parents just by qualifying to be there. And they have the t-shirts to prove it.

Since this was the end of the season for the Pembroke Little Rocks, Coach Lori Donovon was presented a curling stone in gratitude for her volunteer participation with the team.

The Little Rocks, geared to young people between the ages of 9 and 12, are part of the junior curling program, which is meant to introduce the younger generation to the sport, with the hope they will pick up a lifetime love for the game.

Mrs. Tyson said it is the hope of everyone involved in this program that the team's showing will help form a good foundation for the curling club, and attract more members next year.

"We're hoping to have two Little Rocks competitive teams next season," she said.

Currently, the Little Rocks have about 20 members.

Stephen Uhler is a Daily Observer multimedia journalist