The U-25 NextGen Mixed Doubles Classic at Edmonton’s Saville Centre is shaping up to be an intense competition as teams fight for playoff spots. The event is more than halfway through pool play, and while several pairs have won their first three games, the final playoff picture remains unclear.
Jessica Zheng and Victor Pietrangelo, the 2022 U-25 champions and 2023 runners-up, have started strong, sitting at the top of the “Red” pool with three consecutive wins. Similarly, Sterling Middleton, last year’s winner with Kayla MacMillan, is looking to repeat his success, this time with a new partner, Juliana MacKenzie. They have also started 3-0 in the Red Pool.
In the White Pool, the team of Kaylee Raniseth and Evan Crough remains undefeated after beating Mackezie Arbuckle and Aaron MacDonell 7-4, which should secure their spot in the playoffs.
The top eight teams from the round robin will advance to the quarterfinals, with prize money on the line. Quarterfinalists will receive $750, semifinalists $1,250, and the event winners will take home $3,000, along with additional training opportunities from Curling Canada. The runner-up will receive $2,000.
This event highlights the depth of talent in Canadian curling and the rising stars in the U-25 category. As the competition progresses, it will be exciting to see which teams make it to the final stages and claim the top prize.