The Ontario Scotties Tournament of Hearts begins today and runs through the week at the renovated Kenora Curling Club.
Among the 10 rinks competing is the Laura Pickering rink from North Bay which includes Allison McLeod from Tara.
McLeod, who is a student at Nipissing University in North Bay, has hooked up with the Pickering rink and went 3 & 3 at the Northern Ontario qualifier staged at Copper Cliff.
In the women’s qualifying format for the Provincial Scotties, 4 rinks from Northern Ontario, 4 rinks from Ontario and 2 more from the Challenge Round gain a berth at Kenora.
Speaking to McLeod last week after an early morning class at Nipissing, it was pretty obvious she was overjoyed to have an opportunity to compete at the Provincial Ladies final.
Her biggest concerns were missing a week of school, the financial expense for a week in Kenora and the fact that the Pickering foursome will not be considered among the favorites.
What’s the realistic expectation for Allison McLeod and the North Bay group ?
According to McLeod, she believes they’re capable of winning a couple of matches and anything above that would be considered gravy.
The competition will be tough to beat, and according to Allison McLeod, so too will be the experience at the Provincial Scotties starting today in Kenora.
I’m Fred Wallace