Lloyd-area curlers sweep into Brier

Latos on Team Yukon are over the moon at their shot to hoist the Tim Hortons Tankard in London Ont. March 3-12.

The local guys will be cheered on by a large loud and proud cheering section of fans from the region in the wake of their Brier qualification.

“It’s definitely exciting,” said Latos, who curled for Yukon at last year’s national championship.

Lloydminster and area curling will have a high profile during this year’s Brier with three homegrown players in the 18-team curling championship.

Mike Armstrong with Team Saskatchewan, Glenn Venance with Team Wild Card No. 3 from Alberta and Evan

“If you asked me three years ago if I’d be curling in the Brier, let alone two, I would have called you crazy.”

Latos works as a civil engineer for a company in Saska - toon and hooked up with the Thomas Scoffin rink in Whitehorse last year while working there. This year, he’s an import lead based in Saskatoon.

His mom Olesia in Lloyd is already packing her bags for London.

“We’re very happy for him and to have this experience on the big stage and competing with some of the best curlers in the world,” she said.

Win or lose, Latos plans to come back to Lloyd to curl in the 54th Lloydminster Oil and Gas Open Bonspiel March 16-19 with his dad Jeff.

The 28-year-old grew up in Lloydminster and went through the junior curling program.

“We won the Alberta high school provincials in 2012. That’s what set my path forward in curling,” he said.

Lloydminster will also be on the mind of 33-year-old Mike Armstrong at the Brier with his Team Knapp rink from Regina.

“I’m always so proud to represent Lloydminster and put them on the map. It was a great place to grow up and a great curling community,” said Armstrong.

“When I think about Lloyd and my start in curling, my parents definitely come to mind. They were the ones who got me started.”

Armstrong also gives a shout-out to a former coach, Ralph Cormack in Lloyd.

“He was integral in the Lloyd curling community for a long time,” he said.