‘I’m just so proud:’ Curling legend Colleen Jones watches son make Brier debut

LONDON, Ont. – Luke Saunders turned left and waved at Nova Scotia supporters as his team was introduced at the Canadian men’s curling championship on Saturday.

In the back row of Section 103 in Budweiser Gardens, his mother – the legendary Skip Colleen Jones – cried tears of joy as she watched her son make his Tim Hortons Brier debut.

“It’s been in his blood for a long time,” Jones said. “So to see him — I mean, look at that arena, those lights, that feeling — I’m just so proud.”

Saunders grew up at curling alleys across the country and around the world. When he was old enough, he often led the cheering group for his mother’s teams.

Now it’s her turn. Jones wore a full Nova Scotia kit — complete with cowbell and provincial flag — in line with family and friends.

“I definitely had the pre-game nervousness today,” said Jones. “I was nervous about going out there, which I find really weird. I’m nervous and looking forward to it.”

The young Nova Scotia crew pushed Alberta’s Kevin Koe at range and scored a two in the 10th end but still lost a 5-4 decision.

Early nervousness may have been at play as Saunders struggled with his pre-game draw to the button. But the 29-year-old third quickly found his way and ended up with 88 percent.

“We’re here, we’re present and we’re playing well,” he said.

Nova Scotia leader Nick Zachernuk and runner-up Jeffrey Meagher also had strong percentages, but Skip Matthew Manuel finished with a middle 74 percent.

“This is the biggest event they’ve ever played in,” Jones said. “They’ve played in arenas before, but not like this where TV cameras shoot up your nose and your mom wears a Nova Scotia flag. There is a lot at stake.”

Saunders reached the semifinals at the 2013 Canadian Junior Championships, but fell to Matt Dunstone. He went on to win bronze as a runner-up for Nova Scotia skip Stuart Thompson.

Jones, a six-time women’s national champion, said she hasn’t experienced pre-game butterflies since her World Cup appearances some 20 years ago.

“Luke was always walking around arenas in either a Canadian flag or a Nova Scotia flag,” she recalled. “He was a really good cheerer … he would lead the Canadian cheer (at world championships) or the Nova Scotia cheer with the Scotties.

“So you want to give some of that back because you know sometimes it can lift a player. ‘We are with you and we have you.’ So I’m all decked out.”

His Nova Scotia rink was scheduled to return to action Sunday against Northwest Territories’ Jamie Koe.

“The support shoe fits well on the other foot,” said Jones. “I’m just happy that we can make it and be here. It still blows my mind that we’re here. I’m tingling.”

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on March 4, 2023.

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Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press