Lindsay Doucet's foursome has become the first team in the history of the Chester Curling Club to win the Nova Scotia junior women's championship.

 "We're so proud to have that honour because the Chester Curling Club has been so great to us and we have a great junior program," said the Acadia University student, whose team includes Forest Heights Community School student Meryn Avery, Park View Education Centre student Ellen Graham and Chester Basin's Sarah Spafford, who throws last rocks.

 "Being members of the Chester club, we've had a great curling upbringing."

 The former under-15 provincial champs went 7-1 to win this season's under-21 crown from December 27 to 31 in Truro.

 "We went in confident, with a really good feeling and we just kind of carried that through. Our goal was to stay stable emotionally the whole week, to not have many ups and downs, and that's kind of what we did. We stayed focused and level-headed."

 However, that was put to the test in clinching victory over former champion Danielle Parsons of Mayflower, when Team Doucet blew a 5-2 lead after six before rallying for a 6-5 victory with a point in the 10th.

 "We were so nervous because it was probably the biggest game of our lives," said the 18 year old.

 "Me and Sarah would sing little songs to each other so we wouldn't be so nervous," she laughed.

 The club will now represent Nova Scotia at the nationals from January 29 to February 6 in Calgary.

 "My original goal [for nationals] was just to win one game," joked Ms Doucet.

 "But I think we're actually going to set some more realistic goals over the next couple weeks. If we curl like we did at provincials, anything can happen."

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 Liverpool's Jill Mouzar won that event in 2004.

 Ms Doucet's foursome decided to stay together this season despite the fact she was attending school in the Valley and Ms Spafford was curling primarily out of Halifax after both finished high school last June.

 "We were coming off a loss last year at under 18s, and that was heartbreaking, but we have such a good thing going here because we all just sort of click - it's such a good mix of people - so we really wanted to give it one more shot."

 That required a big commitment from their parents, who've provided more than a few rides.

 "They've been really good at helping us all get together, but it's been a lot harder than last year, that's for sure."

 The team is coached by John Atherton and Marie Christianson.

 "We'd really like to thank them. They've sacrificed a lot of time and put in a lot of effort to always be there for us."

 In fact, Ms Christianson is a two-time provincial junior champion herself.

 "She was really able to help us. She knew exactly how we were feeling all week."

posted on 01/11/11