Women’s curling tournament: interview with Taylor Stremick
Victory for the women’s team
This past weekend, the University of Regina women’s curling team had a tournament, and saying they did a good job is an understatement. This was the Canadian West tournament, and it was a home game taking place in Regina, SK, involving three teams: University of Regina, University of Alberta, and University of Brandon. Each of these teams did well in this tournament, but the University of Regina’s team was lucky enough to take home the championship! The Carillon contacted a team player to get the insights of the sport itself and how the tournament went down. This week we are hearing form Taylor Stremick herself, so let’s get down to business!
How long have you been curling for, and what is your position?
Taylor has been curling for a long time now, she thinks around 10 years, and she is currently third position.
For those readers who do not know curling well, what is third position?
“Third [position] is the person who has the opportunity to throw two stones and is in charge of ‘calling the line.’ When the skip throws the rocks, I am the one down the line that holds the broom and calls the line.”
What does it mean to “call the line?”
“I am down in the ‘house’ and calling to sweep or not to sweep, which is essentially [if] you are wanting the rock to curl or not. So, if I call ‘sweep the rock’ it will remain straight.”
Curling seems like a very mind driven sport that needs lots of thinking. Can you explain the skill you have to line up perfectly for your shot?
Taylor explains both positions: “For thrower perspective it all comes from practice which creates a natural feeling. I try my best to stay up to date with all the different techniques, plus I listen to the best coaches and how they inform on how to throw right on the broom. This is my first time calling the line as a third so this was a big step, and so honestly [my teammate] Krystal Englot and my coach Tom were a great help. Listening to coaches always ends well.”
In your opinion, what is the most important position in curling?
“I personally do not think there is one important position; we all work as a team. I cannot really say which is the best, hardest, or the easiest, because they are all equal!” To Taylor, it seems like curling really is a team effort and that it is meaningful to the curling team to work together.
Can you tell us how the tournament happened in detail, for those who could not make it?
“This was the Canada West tournament, and it was great to have a home rink advantage. We ended up going two wins and two loses and between the three of us teams all of us had a 2-2 record. Which meant on Sunday it came down to who had the best ‘stone draw’ which it turned out to be us and that won us first place!” Alberta has won Canada West the last two times here, so it felt good to beat that rivalry.
How is your overall season going after this weekend and what do you expect to see for the rest of the season coming up?
“Our Canada West nationals got cancelled due to COVID-19, so this is the only ‘true’ event, so our season is done. Although the team is still curling in a league once a week with the men’s team. Now we get the opportunity to play other teams too.”
It was great to hear the U of R team was victorious. The Carillon wants to wish the women’s curling team a last congratulations on your championship and a huge thank you to Stremick for taking part in this interview. We hope both the women’s and men’s teams continue to work hard for next season and that everyone gets more opportunities next season to play!
