ST. PAUL - The St. Paul Curling Rink was filled with high school athletes on Thursday morning, as the Alberta Schools' Athletic Association (ASAA) kicked off this year's curling championship with an opening ceremony that saw a national curling champion - who also happens to be local to the area - throw the ceremonial first stone.
After dignitaries greeted and acknowledged all those in attendance, from the curlers themselves to the many volunteers who are involved in hosting the event, Val Sweeting - fresh off her recent win at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts - took to the ice in her Team Canada jacket, and threw the first stone, with St. Paul Regional High School curlers Kaitlyn Foote and Jayden Blain sweeping.
Sweeting is a third on Team Kerri Einarson. The team will once again be representing Canada on the world stage after winning at the Tournament of Hearts, beating Team Jones on Sunday.
Games for the ASAA championship will be taking place throughout the day Thursday and Friday at the St. Paul Curling Rink, with all three St. Paul teams hitting the ice at 8 p.m. Thursday night. Finals are scheduled to take place on Saturday.
Visit the ASAA website for a complete schedule.
More coverage to come...