The Burns Rink (clockwise, from top left): Laura Masters, Sara Guy, Krysta Burns and Leah Hodgson. PHOTOS BY JIM GRAY
Since coming together two years ago, the Idylwylde Golf and Country Club’s Krysta Burns and Sara Guy of Sudbury, and Leah Hodgson and Laura Masters of Sault Ste. Marie, have thrived on the national and international junior women’s curling circuit.
Among their accomplishments are two Northern Ontario Bantam Championships, an Ontario Winter Games gold, two NOSSA and one OFSAA title and a Northern Ontario Junior Ladies championship.
After winning the Northern Ontario Provincial Championships this season, the quartet represented the North at the M&M Canadian Junior Championships for their second consecutive year.
Burns, the team’s skip, said it’s the friendships they share that has brought them success as a unit.
“We get along really well,” Guy added. “We all bring different things to the team.
“It’s pretty cool being able to represent curling and Northern Ontario in the sport,” she added.
Burns and Masters are students at Laurentian University, Hodgson attends Algoma University and Guy is in her final year at Lockerby Composite.
“The four girls are all honour roll students and often study in airports or hotel rooms, making the most of their down time when not on the ice curling,” said Sally Guy, the team’s manager and nominator. “All four girls also volunteer at their respective curling clubs, helping out with the Learn to Curl and Junior Rocks programs.”
Each of the members is a certified curling coach, and also volunteers in different capacities outside of their sport.
“These girls are a true joy to be with,” Guy added. “They portray well-rounded young ladies who have the ability to empower young women to continue in a sport and, at the same time, be academically successful.”
The team has one more year together in the junior ranks before Hodgson ages out. However, they plan to reconnect as soon as possible when each of the teammates is eligible to enter the ladies’ field.
Fast facts about the Burns Rink:
Laura Masters (lead) – Has tutored high school students in French for four years.
Sara Guy (third) - Received the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Youth Volunteer Award (2013).
Leah Hodgson (second) - Plays bass and sings harmony for the Sault-based band, Summer Thunder.
Krysta Burns (skip) - Coached volleyball at elementary and secondary school, as well as St. Patrick Church.
Know an MVP? Email us their accomplishments and community impact to brandi@sudburysportsmag.ca.
