Sisters Stefanie Lawton and Marliese Kasner will give Team Saskatchewan a wealth of curling experience for the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
Lawton, who is 28 years old, skips the squad from the CN Curling Club in Saskatoon while the 27-year-old Kasner delivers the third stones.
Kasner played in five Canadian junior championships and skipped the Canadian team to the world title in 2003. Lawton was in four Canadians, winning in 2000 and placing second at the worlds.
Lawton, Kasner, Sherri Singler and Chelsey Bell captured the 2005 Saskatchewan women's crown to earn a trip to the Scotties in St. John's, N.L., Lawton finished third in the round robin with a 7-4 record before dropping the 3-4 playoff game to Jenn Hanna of Ontario.
Lawton, Kasner and Singler are back for another run at the title while they have added Lana Vey at lead. Vey played third for Jan Bekter's team from Regina at the 2007 Scotties in Lethbridge.
"There is a tough field in Victoria with the likes of Jennifer Jones, Marla Mallett, Cheryl Bernard, Marie-France Larouche and Heather Strong,'' said Lawton, who is a chartered accountant. "Every province seems to have a lot of depth in women's curling and hopefully that will keep encouraging the young players to push for the nationals.'' Lawton, who lost the 2008 Saskatchewan final to Michelle Englot of Regina, defeated Rene Miettinen of Humboldt 9-6 in this year's final. Lawton posted a 5-0 record in the 12-team, triple knockout event at Swift Current. Along the way, she defeated former champion Sherry Anderson of Delisle and Amber Holland of Regina.
"I really liked the setup for our provincials this year. They wanted some more teams in it and a round-robin format would have been too long. With the triple-knockout event, every game was important and that was good for the fans. Also with the Page Playoff, it really prepared teams for the Scotties. About the only drawback was that if you lost early, you had to play a lot of games.'' The Lawton rink was successful on the bonspiel circuit, winning the Saskatoon Colonial Square while placing second in two Slam events -- Wayden Transportation Ladies Classic in Abbotsford and the Sobeys Slam in New Glasgow, N.S. Lawton was third in a Calgary event while she failed to qualify in two other events. In total, they have won $41,000 this season. After the Scotties, Lawton will also play in the Canada Cup of Curling in Yorkton and the Players Championship in Grande Prairie. In 2008, Lawton won the Canada Cup of Curling, defeating Kelly Scott of Kelowna in the final.
"Our goal at the start of the season was to get back to the Scotties. Another goal is to get to the Olympic Trials.'' Only defending Scotties' champion Jennifer Jones of Winnipeg has a spot secured for the 2009 Olympic Trials in Edmonton. Right now, the Lawton team has one of the eight pre-Trials spots in Prince George but they could enhance its position with a strong showing at the Scotties.
"At the Scotties, you have to be prepared for a long week of curling. The key at an event like this is to make sure you get the proper rest and stay relaxed. We want to make sure that we can take everything in like the HeartStop Lounge and have some time with our family and friends. There will probably be at least 30 people coming from Saskatchewan to watch us play.'' The team is coached by Lawton's and Kasner's father -- Bob Miller.
"My father is very passionate about the game and I respect his knowledge. He will do whatever he can to help us out. We are very fortunate to have him.'' Miller, who skipped men's teams out of Shellbrook for many years, went to the 1985 Tim Hortons Brier in Moncton as a third for Eugene Hritzuk of Saskatoon.
IN THE HOUSE
n Home: CN Curling Club, Saskatoon.
Skip: Stefanie Lawton, age 28.
Third: Marliese Kasner, 27.
Second: Sherri Singler, 34.
Lead: Lana Vey, 24.
Coach: Bob Miller.
Last Scotties Appearance: 2005 at St. John's, Nfld. Finished round robin with 7-4 record before losing 3-4 playoff game to Ontario's Jenn Hanna.
