WINNIPEG — Cathy Overton-Clapham is back and ready to rock.
“For the first time in a long time I’m really excited to play in the provincials,” said the 2008 world champion.
Overton-Clapham is returning to the Manitoba Scotties following a two-year hiatus. A curling comeback for the 46-year-old Winnipegger after almost calling it quits last season.
“I’ve been doing it for so long, practicing every day,” said Overton-Clapham. “My kids are busy in their sports. My son is a competitive curler too and I was missing out on his wins so I wanted to be more a part of that.”
But a phone call from Briane Meilleur in the summer peeled that plan. The third and her teammates, Katherine Doerksen and Krysten Karwacki, were stuck after their skip split. So Overton-Clapham decided to slide in and help.
“I knew there was a lot of potential with the girls,” said Overton-Clapham. “I know they’re very tough competitors as well. The fire wasn’t there anymore. I still love to play the game. Playing with the girls has brought that back.”
The Fort Rouge rink competed in four events this year, qualifying for the quarterfinals in the DEKALB Superspiel in Morris back in November. Last month, the team captured a provincials berth in the Winnipeg playdown.
“(The girls) are really excited to play,” said Overton-Clapham. “It’s Katherine’s first time in a Scotties. Her energy and excitement is rubbing off on me.”
In exchange, Overton-Clapham is providing experience to girls nearly half her age.
“I do feel like a mom a lot of the time,” said Overton-Clapham. “There’s been a couple of moments where they’ve mentioned some things and I’ve gone ‘Really? I guess I am that old.’,”
Overton-Clapham plays her first match at the 2016 Manitoba Scotties at 12:15pm Wednesday against the Burntwood Curling Club’s Jennifer Rolles.
Comments