With the 2022 Curling Alberta Provincial Championships underway in Grande Prairie, one theme is clear in both the men's and women's draws — the amount of talent produced by the University of Alberta.

In total, 23 athletes competing at provincials are current or former Golden Bears & Pandas, all of whom are competing to earn a spot at the 2022 Tim Hortons Brier and 2022 Scotties Tournament of Hearts. 
 

MEN'S SCORES

 

WOMEN'S SCORES

 

LIVE STREAM

Included in both fields are the current Golden Bears and Pandas teams, with the Bears junior team having qualified, but needing to withdraw due to health & safety protocols. It marks the first time in program history that three current UofA teams have qualified for provincials, with the Bears Juniors being the youngest team ever to qualify for the Boston Pizza Cup. 

The Bears selects, who have had a stellar start to their 2021/22 season, entered the 2022 Boston Pizza Cup as the No. 2 seed, ranked only behind four-time Canadian Champion, Kevin Koe. Skipped by Ryan Jacques, the Bears enter Wednesday 1-1, and on the 'B' side of the triple-knockout format event. The knockout portion of the event wraps up on Friday, with the playoffs then running on Saturday and Sunday.

Desmond Young (third), Andrew Gittis (second), and Gabe Dyck (lead) round out the Bears selects lineup, with Rob Krepps coaching the squad in Grande Prairie. 

Also competing on the men's side is a second team of all former Bears, with Karsten Sturmay joined by Tristan Steinke, Chris Kennedy, Glenn Venance, and Caleb Boorse. Fellow former Bear Parker Konschuh is also skipping his own rink, which includes fellow Bears alumni Landon Bucholz and Bryce Bucholz. Eric Richard is the final Bears alumni competing, playing with Team Appleman. 

On the women's side, the Pandas selects entered provincials ranked fourth in the eight-team round-robin format. The Pandas entered Wednesday with a 1-2 record, with the top three teams advancing to the page playoff. 

Alumnae Selena Sturmay is leading the selects, with Catherine Clifford (third), Kate Goodhelpsen (second), and Paige Papley (lead) also competing. Abby Marks was unable to compete due to health and safety protocols. 

Also featured on the women's side, and owning a 3-0 record, is the rink led by Pandas alum Kelsey Rocque, with each member of her squad having competing for the Pandas (Danielle Schmiemann, Dana Ferguson, & Rachelle Brown). Fellow alumnae Taylor McDonald is competing with Laura Walker's rink, while Kelly Erickson is competing with Team Pierce. 

The provincial championships will run from January 3rd to 9th. The 2022 Brier is scheduled for March 4-13 in Lethbridge, Alberta, with the Scotties running January 28-February 6 in Thunder Bay, Ontario.