St. Thomas Aquinas High School

The St. Thomas Aquinas Boys Curling Team delivered a memorable performance at the NWOSSA Championship held in Fort Frances from February 28 to March 2, earning a hard-fought bronze medal after a dramatic final shot.

The Saints began the tournament with a statement victory over the host team from Fort Frances, who had captured gold at the NORWOSSA Championship the previous weekend. Despite dropping games to two strong teams from Thunder Bay, the Saints’ win over Fort Frances created a three-way tie for the bronze medal between St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Frances, and Lake Superior High School.

According to NWOSSA rules, the tie was decided through a three-team shootout. Each team’s four players delivered a draw to the house, with the combined distance from the button determining the winner.

With the scores tied after the other teams’ stones were measured, St. Thomas Aquinas had the final shot of the competition. Skip Lane Hamilton stepped onto the ice knowing the team needed to “touch the paint” to secure the bronze medal.

With outstanding sweeping from his teammates from hog line to house, Hamilton’s stone glided perfectly into position—just enough to touch the paint and clinch the bronze medal for the Saints.

The dramatic finish capped off an impressive showing for the St. Thomas Aquinas squad, highlighting their teamwork, composure, and determination against some of Northwestern Ontario’s top high school curling teams.