The Brock Badgers' men's curling team started off 2024 with an impressive and undefeated showing at the McMaster Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 6 and Sunday, Jan. 7. The bonspiel hosted by the McMaster Marauders also included the women's team, who placed fifth.

In their opening match against the Western Mustangs, the Badgers picked up a decisive win by a score of 10-3. Brock's following match saw them win 8-1 over the McMaster Marauders junior varsity team. The Badgers' third match was a closely contested one against the defending Ontario University Athletics (OUA) champion Laurier Golden Hawks. Brock earned a 6-5 win after skip Victor Pietrangelo made an angled run back on the last shot of the game. The Brock Badgers closed out their weekend with wins over the McMaster Marauders varsity team (3-1) and the TMU Bold (6-3). The group consisting of skip Sean Kirkland, vice Victor Pietrangelo, second Daniel Krowchuk and lead Patrick Sipura finished the bonspiel 5-0, earning a first-place finish and a trophy. 

"It was a good start to the calendar year with provincials a month out," said coach Jordan Thin. "We have many positives to carry forward and a better sense of what we need to improve in order to win gold."

The women's side was led by coach John Sawchuk and were represented by skip Chloe Morby, vice Jenna Decelercq-Towers, second Ryenne O'Keefe and lead Alyssa Mayville. Brock lost a close game in their opener against the Western Mustangs 4-3. After earning a bye, Brock faced the Algoma Thunderbirds next and came up victorious with a 7-4 win. A narrow 5-3 loss to the host McMaster Marauders followed, but the Badgers were able to close out the weekend with a 7-6 win over the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks. Overall, the Badgers' women's curling team finished with a 3-2 record.

The Brock Badgers' men's and women's curling teams will be the hosts for their next bonspiel, as the Brock Invitational takes place on Saturday, Jan. 20 and Sunday, Jan. 21 at the St. Catharines Golf and Country Club.