Penny Shantz has added the Canadian Masters Curling Championship to her list of achievements.
The member of the Parksville Curling Club and her team of Cindy Curtain (third) Shirley Wong (second) and Janet Suter (lead) represented British Columbia at the Pembina Curling Club in Winnipeg in November.
Team Shantz survived several tough matches that included the semifinal game against Team Ontario. The match was tied going into the eight but Shantz crew were able to squeeze a rock to push them over to a 5-4 win. They advanced to the gold-medal game where they faced Team Judy Colwell from Manitoba.
In the final, Team Shantz quickly got three points up and sustained their lead throughout to clinch the title 8-4.
Shantz creditted her teammates and the way they worked together to bring home the Masters title to British Columbia.
“I believe curling is a true team sport,” said Shantz. “It takes four people to make a shot. In our final game, we were in a lot of trouble in the seventh end. I had to make a draw … a wide out-turn draw to get one. We could have given up three a couple of shots before that. And that sweeping… like my one sweeper was all over it and her timing and screaming, she’s going to have to go on the rock any minute but we needed it to curl. It ended up to be perfect. So that was all about communication and making a shot as a team. So that’s a whole team effort.”
READ MORE: Parksville Curling Club to host provincial masters curling championship in 2023
Winning for Shantz is nothing new. She’s won numerous accolades, including a gold medal at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. She has represented British Columbia at many bonspiels across the country. What she finds extremely satisfying whenever she win nowadays is to see her teammates savour the glory.
“All this teams I have played on have been with almost different members,” said Shantz. “So it’s so fun to watch your teammates win.”
Team Shantz will again compete this February when they defend their BC Masters title. They will give Parksville Qualicum Beach curling fans something to cheer as the BC Provincial Masters Championships for men and women will be held at the Parksville Curling Club.
“We’re looking forward to defending our title,” said Shantz. “It’s nice to have the championships here at home and not have to travel far.”
The winners from the BC Masters will represent the province the Canadian Masters in April 2023.
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