CurlingZone: Reese-Hansen Claims U25 NextGen Title Belt

Victoria's Taylor Reese-Hansen won 9-4 over Gracelyn Richards of Edmonton in Friday's Fina.

The U-25 NextGen Classic allows for players with an average age of 25 to compete. This includes some teams competing in U Sports and Canadian Collegiate programs, along with other teams finding success in the years just out of juniors.

In addition to the $6,000 in NextGen funding, including additional opportunities to work with the national team program, Reese-Hansen and her team of Megan McGillivray, Kim Bonneau and Julianna Mackenzie receive a berth into the PointsBet Invitational held September 25-29 at Winsport in Calgary.

Reese-Hansen started with hammer, a result of their undefeated record coming into the final. Hansen opened scoring one point in the first end, but would fall behind early.

Richards with Emma Yarmuch, Sophia Ryhorchuk and Rachel Jacques, as the University of Alberta Pandas scored two points in the second end, then stole a point in the third end to lead 3-1.

Reese-Hansen came back with two points in the fourth end to even the score, then, after forcing Richards to a single in the fifth end, delivered the deciding blow, scoring four in the sixth end.

Reese-Hansen added a steal of two in the seventh end as Richards made a last-ditch attempt to get back into the game.

Reese-Hansen won 6-5 over Edmonton's Serena Gray-Withers in the semifinals, while Richards won 4-2 over Emma Artichuk of Manotick, Ontario in the other half of the playoff bracket.

Richards takes home $4,000 for their runner-up finish.

Reese-Hansen opened the event with a 9-1 win over Jenna Pomedli of Wadena, Saskatchewan, then won 8-2 over Richards in their second game. Reese-Hansen continued with a 5-3 victory over Katie Ford of Niagara Falls, then won 9-0 over Emilie Lovitt of Sudbury and 8-5 against Isabelle Ladouceur of Sudbury.

Read More:
Reese-Hansen In U25 NextGen Final

FINAL: Taylor Reese-Hansen vs. Gracelyn Richards:

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