SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. - The Mohawk Mountaineers were twice golden at the 2022 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association Curling Championships on Monday, ending an 11-year drought for the program.

The men's team upset the previously undefeated Humber Hawks 5-4 in the gold medal game, winning on a point in the eighth and final end. Mohawk finished in second place in the men's round robin standings with a record of 3-2, and narrowly edged Confederation 6-5 in Sunday's semi-finals, also needing a point in the final end to secure the victory. The late game heroics saw Mohawk win its first OCAA men's title since 1998.

Mohawk also won mixed doubles gold for the first time since it was introduced at the OCAA championship in 2020. The team of Ashley Verhees (Elmwood, Ont.) and Eric Just (Hamilton, Ont.) blanked the Humber-2 team of Julie Boulos (Mississauga, Ont.) and Emerson Steffler (Markham, Ont.) by an 8-0 margin. Mohawk won mixed team gold back in 2008. Mohawk's last provincial gold came courtesy of the women in 2010.

Humber did not go home empty handed, however. Along with its two silvers and mixed doubles bronze, Humber surpassed the Niagara Knights 8-6 in the women's gold medal, successfully defending its title. Niagara also won men's bronze to go along with women's silver, defeating Confederation 10-2.

The Fanshawe Falcons also earned women's team bronze on account of its semi-final appearance on Sunday. Fanshawe lost to Niagara 8-1.

Championship award winners were also recognized following the four days of action. Mohawk skip Jacob Jones (Brantford, Ont.) was named Most Valuable Player in the men's competition along with being named a First-Team Championship All-Star. Other First-Team Championship All-Stars included Niagara vice Kyle Henry (Elmira, Ont.), Confederation second Jeremy Bertoldo (Thunder Bay, Ont.) and Mohawk lead Liam Little (Haliburton, Ont.).

Niagara skip Nathan Lohnes (Halifax, N.S.), Mohawk vice Jarrett Matthews (Waterdown, Ont.) and second Joel Matthews (Waterdown, Ont.) along with Confederation lead Katrina Slomke (Fort Frances, Ont.) and Niagara lead Adam Rolson (Kitchener, Ont.) were named Second-Team Championship All-Stars in the men's competition.

Humber skip Meaghan Mallett (Waterloo, Ont.) was named Most Valuable Player in the women's competition along with being named a First-Team Championship All-Star. Other First-Team Championship All-Stars included Niagara vice Alexa Desrochers (Welland, Ont.) along with Humber second Jessica Byers (Haliburton, Ont.) and lead Emma Rebel (Ottawa, Ont.).

Women's Second-Team Championship All-Stars included Niagara skip Melissa Borowski (Welland, Ont.), Humber vice Daniela Aucion (Brampton, Ont.), Fanshawe second Leah Hopkins (Ingersoll, Ont.) and Niagara lead Emma Hill (Dundalk, Ont.).

Mohawk's Verhees and Just were named Most Valuable Players of the mixed doubles competition. Betty Calic of Mohawk, Sean Turriff of Humber and Matthew Kimber of Mohawk were named the men's, women's and mixed doubles OCAA Coaches of the Year, respectively.

The OCAA traditionally hands out Fair Play Awards for demonstration of good sportsmanship. The Niagara Knights were awarded the Ron Fearon men's fair play trophy, the Fanshawe Falcons were awarded the Vern Dow women's fair play trophy and the Humber-1 mixed doubles team of Amelia Cino (Burlington, Ont.) and Matthew Abrams (Barrie, Ont.) were awarded the Hap Holman trophy.

Championship Website (including schedule): www.ocaa.com/curl

- OCAA -

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