The NAIT Ooks curling club begins their pursuit for an ACAC Championship this weekend at the Vermillion curling club, hosted by the Lakeland Rustlers. The men's and mixed teams will represent the Ooks, with each division scheduled to play three round-robin games. Both clubs were successful in last season's Championships. The men beat Lakeland to win bronze. The mixed club finished first in round-robin seeding but eventually fell in the gold medal game, bringing home an ACAC silver medal. Both teams are looking to bring some hardware home again this year.

The men open things up today at noon against the SAIT Trojans. The Ooks have struggled against the Trojans this season, dropping their previous two meetings. The club then gears up for a dance with Alberta Augustana Vikings at 3:30 today. NAIT will be hopeful for a different outcome this go around versus the Vikings, as the club came out on the wrong side in two meetings this season. In the round-robin finale on Saturday, the Ooks will look to grind out their first win against the Concordia Thunder at 8:00 a.m. Although the wins have yet to pile up as hoped, head coach Karynn Flory-Simmons is optimistic heading into this weekend.

"We are feeling good going into Championship weekend. We have had lots of practice and team bonding," said Flory-Simmons.

The mixed club won five of their nine games played this season. They start their championship quest today at noon versus the host, Lakeland Rustlers. The teams split their two meetings this season. On Friday night, the Ooks will look to continue their dominance over the Portage Voyageurs and remain perfect verse them after three great showings this season. Ooks conclude on Saturday morning against the first-place Red Deer Polytechnic. The two clubs met three times earlier this season. The Ooks dropped the first two but were winners in their last matchup and will be looking to carry that momentum into this weekend.

The club has been away from league play since their last event in January, but Flory-Simmons believes it could benefit her club.

"Most of my players also continued to play in leagues which is a big advantage. Repetition of their delivery and shot-making is key to improving," said Flory-Simmons.

Visit acac.ab.ca for all this weekend's winners and schedule adjustments.