Teams from three schools in Rocky View Schools have earned berths into the ASAA provincial curling championships.

Cochrane High once again hosted the south-central zone finals, Feb. 11-12, which attracted 13 teams.

Hot off a win at divisionals, the Liam Heppner rink topped the senior boys' zone final and brought home another banner for Cochrane High. His teammates are Andrew Korver, Evan Ficzere, and Aldon Prudden.

It was Chestermere's rink of Avery Engleson, Sierra Stumborg, Jocelyn Stumborg, and Shaelynn Andres that claimed gold in senior girls.

The Hannah Northwood team of George McDougall High School will represent the south-central zone in the mixed division. Her teammates are third Kadin Rowe, second Anika Keller, and lead Evan Creek.

Bow Valley High School's senior boys' team won a bronze medal at the zones. The team was skipped by Jacob Gaudet and included teammates Henis Patel, Fisher Linton, and Lance Madson.

Having 13 teams compete at the zones this year was in itself a major accomplishment, says zones coordinator Tammy Hodgson, of Cochrane High. Interest has grown over the years and despite the pandemic, they were able to attract the same number of teams as the last time it was held two years ago.

"During the pandemic, for schools to get their curling program together and out here was pretty exciting because we weren't allowed to play in January," says Hodgson, "and so by the end of January, everybody had fielded mixed, men's and ladies' teams and were ready to play in February."

"It has been challenging, but look at the perseverance and the ability of all these kids to make normal as normal as they can."

She says it went smoothly and gives a shout-out to the staff of the curling centre. Some separation was provided as a precautionary measure by having the public view the play from upstairs.

"It's been great. Teams are just excited to be here. The only drama has been a lot of cheering and a lot of supportive coaches and parents."

Cochrane High has hosted the zone finals since 2017 and has co-hosted a few with Bow Valley High School and Springbank Community High School. This year, that wasn't possible, mainly because of the small-time window they had to organize the event. They only received permission to proceed three days in advance of the bonspiel.

The provincials are slated to be held at the Lethbridge Collegiate Institute on Mar. 3-5, but the location is subject to change.