Fanshawe student skips his way to the Nationals
Ryan Myler, a student in the Graphic Design program at Fanshawe College, took part in the M&M Meats Shops Canadian junior men's championship for curling held from February 3 to February 11.
Myler, 20, from St. John's Newfoundland and his three teammates, Micky Lizmore, 19, from London, Brodie Tarvit, 20, from London and Jim Clayton, 19, from Brantford finished fourth with an 8-4 record in the competition narrowly missing a playoff birth.
Myler said that his team was a bit disappointed about missing a chance at a playoff birth, but was very happy overall with their performance.
“It was the experience of a life time,” Myler said. “It was the highest level of curling that I had been a part of, it was very intense and nerve racking. We were a bit disappointed our goal was to go 9-3 and that would have given us a chance at a playoff spot but we were still very happy that we played well.”
Manager of the Brampton Curing Club, where Myler learned to curl, Roy Walker said it was a great accomplishment for Myler and the rest of his team to compete in the junior championships.
“They did tremendously well,” Walker said. “We're very proud of them and it was a tremendous accomplishment for them to reach that level.”
Walker said he has known Myler for many years and only had positive things to say about him.
“He's a quiet and mature guy,” Walker said. “He became a very good curler at a very young age. Curling has two kinds of shots, hitting and drawing, and Ryan (Myler) has perfected both aspects of the game.”
Having grown up in Brampton, Myler has been curling for over 12 years and has gone through the system at the Brampton Curling Club, according to Walker.
“My parents were involved with curling and got me into the sport when I was around seven or eight,” Myler said. “I developed early, took it further and fell in love with the sport.”
A lot of practice and repetition is needed to continuously improve in the sport, according to Myler.
“It is a lot like golf in terms of consistency,” Myler said. “It is basically just throwing a lot of rocks and being consistent. You have to make things habit without having to think about it and perfecting your technique.”
Next up for Myler in his curling career is to join a team in the Ontario men's circuit and compete in qualifying events for such larger events such as the Briar.
Myler said that representing Canada at the Olympic level would definitely be one of his dreams and goals.
“Being a part of the Junior National Tournament gave me a huge confidence boost and hopefully someday I can compete in the Briar and also make an Olympic qualifier and eventually the Olympic games,” Myler said.
Juggling his hectic curling schedule, and equally grueling academic schedule in the Graphic Design program, Myler said it takes a lot of long nights to finish his homework but he has gotten a lot of support from the faculty.
“I've pulled a lot of all-nighters,” Myler said “My teachers are really supportive and I have never had any conflicts with any of them.”
Taking place at the Jack Gatecliff Arena and St. Catharines Golf & Country Club in St. Catharines Ontario, the junior curling championship had men's and women's teams representing every province and territory from across Canada.
Alberta was victorious in the men's junior championship as they defeated the team from Prince Edward Island 7-6 in an extra end. Newfoundland and Labrador defeated Manitoba 7-6 to claim the women's championship.
Myler, 20, from St. John's Newfoundland and his three teammates, Micky Lizmore, 19, from London, Brodie Tarvit, 20, from London and Jim Clayton, 19, from Brantford finished fourth with an 8-4 record in the competition narrowly missing a playoff birth.
Myler said that his team was a bit disappointed about missing a chance at a playoff birth, but was very happy overall with their performance.
“It was the experience of a life time,” Myler said. “It was the highest level of curling that I had been a part of, it was very intense and nerve racking. We were a bit disappointed our goal was to go 9-3 and that would have given us a chance at a playoff spot but we were still very happy that we played well.”
Manager of the Brampton Curing Club, where Myler learned to curl, Roy Walker said it was a great accomplishment for Myler and the rest of his team to compete in the junior championships.
“They did tremendously well,” Walker said. “We're very proud of them and it was a tremendous accomplishment for them to reach that level.”
Walker said he has known Myler for many years and only had positive things to say about him.
“He's a quiet and mature guy,” Walker said. “He became a very good curler at a very young age. Curling has two kinds of shots, hitting and drawing, and Ryan (Myler) has perfected both aspects of the game.”
Having grown up in Brampton, Myler has been curling for over 12 years and has gone through the system at the Brampton Curling Club, according to Walker.
“My parents were involved with curling and got me into the sport when I was around seven or eight,” Myler said. “I developed early, took it further and fell in love with the sport.”
A lot of practice and repetition is needed to continuously improve in the sport, according to Myler.
“It is a lot like golf in terms of consistency,” Myler said. “It is basically just throwing a lot of rocks and being consistent. You have to make things habit without having to think about it and perfecting your technique.”
Next up for Myler in his curling career is to join a team in the Ontario men's circuit and compete in qualifying events for such larger events such as the Briar.
Myler said that representing Canada at the Olympic level would definitely be one of his dreams and goals.
“Being a part of the Junior National Tournament gave me a huge confidence boost and hopefully someday I can compete in the Briar and also make an Olympic qualifier and eventually the Olympic games,” Myler said.
Juggling his hectic curling schedule, and equally grueling academic schedule in the Graphic Design program, Myler said it takes a lot of long nights to finish his homework but he has gotten a lot of support from the faculty.
“I've pulled a lot of all-nighters,” Myler said “My teachers are really supportive and I have never had any conflicts with any of them.”
Taking place at the Jack Gatecliff Arena and St. Catharines Golf & Country Club in St. Catharines Ontario, the junior curling championship had men's and women's teams representing every province and territory from across Canada.
Alberta was victorious in the men's junior championship as they defeated the team from Prince Edward Island 7-6 in an extra end. Newfoundland and Labrador defeated Manitoba 7-6 to claim the women's championship.
