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Local mixed doubles team narrowly misses curling playoffs

Team BC misses by mere centimetres, but shows maturity beyond their years at Canadian Mixed Doubles Curling Trials.
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Desaray Hawes and Tyler Tardi compete at the inaugural Canadian Mixed Doubles Curling Trials in Leduc

A local pair of juvenile curlers came so close to making the playoffs at the recent Canadian Mixed Doubles Curling Trials in Alberta.

Team B.C., Tyler Tardi, 14, and Desaray Hawes, 16, were in an eight-way tie for the last four playoff spots, with a record of 4-3, according to Curl BC.

It came down to the cumulative draw to the button.  Dezaray and Tyler missed the playoffs by a mere 19.7 cm and finished 13th out of 32 teams.

The team was one of three B.C. teams taking part in the inaugural event, held in Leduc, Alberta last weekend.

According to Anita Tardi, Tyler's mom, the team had a couple of opportunities to make it into the playoff round, but it just wasn't meant to be.

In their sixth game of the tournament, they had a chance for a hit for 4 in the 5th, but the shot just rubbed the guard, which changed the momentum of the game and their competition stole one, instead of Team BC taking 4, Anita said.

During round robin play, they beat former World Bronze Medalist Sean Grassie and his partner Karen Klein and half of the 2012 Canadian Mixed Champions – Jason and Colleen Ackerman.

Anita said Dezaray, of the Royal City Curling Club, and Tyler, of the Langley Curling Club and Lord Tweedsmuir Panther's boys curling team, represented B.C. so well and proudly wore the provincial flag on their backs.

"They showed maturity beyond their years both on and off the ice and impressed many at the event," she said.

"They are already talking about next year and coming back to defend their B.C. title!"