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Liam Little (left) and Jacob Jones (middle) are heading to the 2024 Ontario Tankard

Curling 1/18/2024 12:57:00 PM

Two Mohawk curlers to compete for opportunity to represent Ontario at 2024 Brier

HAMILTON – Mohawk Mountaineers student-athletes Jacob Jones and Liam Little will be competing against the best men's curling teams in the province at the 2024 Ontario Tankard from January 22 to 28. The winning team at the event will represent Ontario at the 2024 Brier.

Over the last two OCAA curling seasons Jones (Brantford, ON) and Little (Haliburton, ON) have helped take the Mohawk men's curling program to the highest heights provincially, winning back-to-back gold medals and a 2023 CCAA bronze. Jones was also a member of the Mountaineers team that won an OCAA silver in 2020.

As the two aim for a third OCAA gold in 2024, they are also competing professionally and hoping their collegiate success translates to an opportunity of a lifetime – competing at the Brier.

Jones has qualified for the Tankard for the third year in a row, while it is Little's first appearance at the pro event. The two are teamed up with Nathan Lohnes and Christopher Inglis this season.

"I have been curling for 17 years now and as a kid it was my dream to become a varsity athlete and to play with the pros," Little said. "After coming to Mohawk and having the success we've had, I was content with just sticking with collegiate curling. But now that I get the opportunity to play varsity and with the pros, I couldn't be more excited and thankful."

Jones added that this being his third Tankard event is a big opportunity, but in the fashion their team qualified makes this time around even more special.

Their team had played in three events in 2023 prior to the Tankard qualifiers. The first event was the Stroud Sleeman Cash Spiel, where they finished 1-3 and missed the playoffs. Then at their second event, the Stu Sells Living Waters Colingwood Classic, they played to a 3-2 record but would lose out in the quarterfinals.

It didn't get any better the third time around as they competed at the Stu Sells Brantford Nissan Classic. A triple knockout format, the squad would finish 3-3 and miss the playoffs.

As the calendar flipped to a new year, the Tankard qualifiers took place between Jan. 5-7. Jones, Little and their team would begin play with a 7-3 loss. But then everything began to click. They would go on to win their next five and claim their spot to the 2024 Ontario Tankard.

"Being able to compete for and outside of Mohawk, and being successful on both sides, shows how much our hard work is paying off," said Jones. "It's not easy to balance both sides, but it's a very rewarding feeling to be able to do well on both sides."

As Jones and Little prep for the 2024 Ontario Tankard, the OCAA Championships are also about three weeks away. But the focus for the two is clear – get the opportunity to represent Ontario at the Brier.

"I am very thankful for the opportunity to play with the best in the province and having the chance to possibly represent Ontario at the Brier," Little said.

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Players Mentioned

#54 Jacob Jones: Skip; 5' 5"; Junior

#22 Liam Little: Lead; 6' 3"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#54 Jacob Jones
: 5' 5"; Junior
: Skip

#22 Liam Little
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: Lead

Players Mentioned

#54 Jacob Jones

#22 Liam Little

Players Mentioned

#54 Jacob Jones

#22 Liam Little