DEKALB Super League kicks off season
Competitive curling back in southern Manitoba
Posted By Greg Vandermeulen
Posted 17 days ago
DEKALB/thecurler.com - Allan Gitzel throws as Darren Gitzel (left) and Dave Waldner (right) prepare to sweep.
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We are delighted the DEKALB Super League is returning to the curling clubs in the region. Curling is an important part of the social fabric of rural Manitoba and we are pleased to be able to support the local curling clubs while providing a competitive outlet for curlers in this important agricultural region. - Trish Jordan
After a year off, the DEKALB Super League is back in southern Manitoba.
This year 10 teams, including three new ones, take to the ice throughout the winter months, to compete. League play began on Oct. 29 with David Hamblin of Morris defeating Carman's Bob Bartley 7-6.
Randy Neufeld of La Salle defeated former Portage-Lisgar MP Brian Pallister's foursome 8-6, while Allan Gitzel of Morris knocked off Rob Fleming from Morden 4-3.
Ryan Hyde of Portage blanked Carman's Rob Findlay 8-0 and Don Spriggs knocked off fellow Portage rink Tom Hyde 7-4.
The 10 teams are from the communities of Carman, Morden, Morris, Portage and La Salle.
David Hamblin brings his Morris squad back. His team includes Ross Doerksen, Ryan Thomson, Mark Georges and spare Mike Hutton. Also from Morris is the team skipped by Allan Gitzel, which includes Kris Mazinke, Darren Gitzel and Dave Waldner.
The league was reorganized under the leadership of Carman's Don Owen and once again features DEKALB, Monsanto's branded seed division, as the title sponsor.
"We are delighted the DEKALB Super League is returning to the curling clubs in the region," public affairs director Trish Jordan said. "Curling is an important part of the social fabric of rural Manitoba and we are pleased to be able to support the local curling clubs while providing a competitive outlet for curlers in this important agricultural region."
Monsanto also sponsors other curling events such as the Tim Hortons Brier, the Roar of the Rings Canadian Curling Trials, the Continental Cup and the Manitoba Scotties Tournament of Hearts. They are also the official team sponsor of Jennifer Jones, Canada's current women's champion.
Committee chairman Don Owen said this gives some good local curlers the chance to compete.
"In the past, the DEKALB Super League was an important competitive outlet for some of the top teams in our region," he said. "The return of the league gives several returning teams and a number of new teams the opportunity for high-level competition close to home to help prepare for provincial zone playoffs.
The teams met in Morris Nov. 5, for two draws. That will be the only time this season the league competes in Morris. Results were unavailable as of press time. They play in La Salle and Carman on Nov. 12, in Carman again on Dec. 3, in Morden on Jan. 11 and in Portage for the playoffs on Jan. 23.
