Perth County farm girls repeat as WOSSAA curling champions, bound for OFSAA

The Stratford District Secondary School girls curling team is heading back to OFSAA for the third straight year. From left are skip Addison Hyatt, vice-skip Brooklyn Hyatt, lead Hailey Peters and second Deanna Halls. Gary West photo

By Gary West

Four Perth County farm girls from Stratford District Secondary School (SDSS) are heading back to the provincial stage after another dominant high school curling season.

The SDSS Golden Bears girls curling team captured gold at the Western Ontario Secondary School Athletic Association (WOSSAA) championship earlier this month, earning a return trip to the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) provincial championship in Thunder Bay.

It marks the team’s third consecutive appearance at OFSAA.

The Bears put together a perfect performance at the WOSSAA tournament, beginning with a commanding 13-0 semifinal win over London Catholic Central at the Listowel Curling Club. In the gold-medal game, the Stratford squad edged Saunders Secondary School of London 7-6 in a tightly contested match.

With the win, SDSS finished the high school season with a perfect 13-0 record and secured its third straight WOSSAA title.

The team is made up of players with strong ties to Perth County’s farming community. Skip Addison Hyatt, a Grade 12 student, leads the rink alongside her sister, vice-skip Brooklyn Hyatt, a Grade 10 student. Second Deanna Halls and lead Hailey Peters, both Grade 11 students, round out the team.

The four curlers come from dairy farm families in South Easthope and Mornington townships.

Coaching the team are Brian Anderson, a dairy farmer from near Tavistock, and Paul Hyatt, a dairy farmer from near Brunner – both of whom have close family connections to the players.

The team primarily curls out of the Stratford Country Club, while also receiving strong support from the Tavistock and Milverton curling clubs.

SDSS teacher Shane Restall has also played a key role in organizing and supporting the team over the years.

Now, with another WOSSAA title in hand, the Golden Bears will look to carry their success to Thunder Bay as they compete for an OFSAA provincial championship.