Jackson rink has sights set on provincial title

Their plan is simple–stay focused, curl well, and make the playoffs.
“Our main goal is to make the playoffs, which is the top three teams [after round-robin play],” remarked Kathie Jackson, who is taking her Fort Frances rink of third Kim Beaudry, second Kelly Wagar, and lead Stacy Beacham to Kingston next week for their fourth-straight appearance at the Ontario Scott Tournament of Hearts.
“We will work on winning [the rest] after the playoffs,” Jackson reasoned.
In their previous three trips to the provincial women’s showdown, the best Jackson’s rink has finished is fourth place.
“[We are] hoping to pull it together and curl well,” enthused Beaudry. “It’s not as bad when you go out and have a good game and lose. I mean, it is depressing but not like when you go and get blown off the board.”
“[We will] curl well and stay more focused,” noted Beacham. “When you get to that level, it is 90 percent mentality–it is a mind game then.
“You can curl well but you have to stay focused for the 10 ends.”
She added they will try to stay out of trouble and not give up any big-enders. “We are famous for that . . . we lose big points in the ninth end,” Beacham admitted.
“[In the past], every game has been close. We just don’t have them in the win column and that is what we need,” Wagar stressed.
Wagar agreed the team’s biggest goal is to make the playoffs but acknowledged it will be difficult because there will lots of competition in Kingston.
Beacham said no game can be taken lightly.
“Once you get there, it is balanced–every game is tough,” she remarked. “We won’t take any game lightly . . . we will try not.”
Jackson, Beaudry, and Wagar all agreed Anne Merklinger is going to be a tough competitor, with Jackson also pegging Allison Goring as someone to watch out for.
“[Anne Merklinger] will be one of the toughest games there. Her desire to get on top is strong,” noted Beaudry.
Beacham said there won’t be any unfamiliar rinks at the provincials in Kingston, which will make it a little easier to curl down there. And for the most part, they’re excited to get on the ice.
“I am getting anxious to get there and start curling,” enthused Beacham. “The two weeks prior to an event, [we] are always anticipating getting started.”
Beaudry agreed, saying she gets more excited as the event draws closer.
Jackson’s foursome advanced to the provincials earlier this month after finishing second to Tara George (Fort William) at the district playdowns in Balmertown.
The winner in Kingston will advance to the Scott Tournament of Hearts in late February, with the national crown–and a chance to represent Canada at the world championship–on the line.