Watch above: Saskatoon’s Stefanie Lawton will represent Saskatchewan at the 2015 Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Although Lawton missed time away from the rink after giving birth to her son Eric, she tells Jack Haskins the team is ready to represent the province.
SASKATOON – On Oct. 10, 2014, Stefanie Lawton held her newborn son, Eric, for the first time. One-hundred and seven days later, Lawton hoisted the Saskatchewan Scotties trophy for the fourth time.
“This was our first time as a team together this year,” said Lawton. “To play as well as we did, and come out with a win, that was just phenomenal.”
The provincial Scotties was the very first competitive tournament Lawton has played all season. While Lawton was away spending time with her newborn son, Eric, her team stayed active.
READ MORE: Lawton returns to defend Sask. women’s championship title
Sherry Anderson took over skipping duties and the team carried on playing competitively. While earning money at bonspiels was nice, the rink’s primary goal was to represent Saskatchewan at the Scotties.
“The cash spiels will get us the points and the ability to get into events,” said Sherri Singler, “but still always in our hearts is this pride, and the ability to represent our province is near and dear to us.”
For the past two weeks Lawton’s rink has been busy gearing up for the 2015 Scotties. But Lawton doesn’t stray too far from her four-month-old son Eric, which means the youngster is on hand for most of the team’s practices.
“He’s been such a good little baby for me. He usually sleeps during practices so we get some good practices in with him.”
On Friday Lawton will depart for her fourth trip to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. The event is being held in Moose Jaw this year, which means that team Saskatchewan will have home ice advantage.
“I’m really excited about that, probably more so than the other Scotties I’ve been at,” said Anderson. “The fact that it is in our home province, and I get chills just thinking about playing in front of a home town crowd.”
The 2015 Scotties Tournament of Hearts kicks off on Feb. 14 in Moose Jaw. It is there where Lawton hopes to lift national Scotties trophy for the first time.
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