After completing her Grade 11 exams, Bella McCarville is now focused on supporting her mother and new teammates in their quest to win the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Making her debut at the Canadian women’s curling championship as an alternate for Northern Ontario skip Krista Scharf, the 16-year-old McCarville expressed her excitement at the opportunity.
Decked out in Northern Ontario colors, McCarville observed the action as Scharf and her team secured a 7-4 victory over Alberta’s Kayla Skrlik. With binoculars in hand, McCarville absorbed insights from coach Rick Lang, a three-time Brier champion, during the match.
The game saw intense moments, with Skrlik taking the lead in the eighth end before Scharf responded with a crucial two points in the ninth. Northern Ontario maintained pressure in the 10th end, leading to Skrlik falling short with her final draw.
Following her provincial championship win, Scharf sought to include McCarville in the team lineup, a decision fully supported by her teammates, coach, and school authorities. McCarville, a student at St. Patrick High School, managed to balance her studies with the curling competition, missing only one school day due to accommodating exam schedules.
Aside from her involvement in the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, McCarville is part of two junior teams, highlighting her dedication to the sport. Embracing the tournament experience, McCarville expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in such a prestigious event.
As the competition unfolds, favorites like Kerri Einarson, Kaitlyn Lawes, and Christina Black are among the top contenders in the 18-team field. Notably absent from the event is five-time Scotties champion Rachel Homan, who is focusing on preparations for the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics.
Scharf, a seasoned curler with two Scotties finals under her belt, acknowledged the heightened competition in Homan’s absence. She emphasized the need for her team to bring their best performance to compete against a field of determined opponents vying for the coveted championship title.