Former Chestermerian headed back to the Olympics

John Morris and his mixed doubles partner Kaitlyn Lawes will be representing Canada as mixed doubles curling makes its Olympic debut at the Winter Olympics in South Korea next month.
Morris and Lawes earned their spot on Canada’s Olympic team with an 8-6 win over Val Sweeting and Brad Gushue at the 2018 Canad Inns Canadian Mixed Double Curling Trials Final in Portage La Prairie Jan. 7.
“It feels fantastic,” said Morris of the win.
While he calls Canmore home now, the 2010 Curling Olympic gold medalist lived in Chestermere the last time he went to the Olympics.
John Morris Way here in Chestermerian is named after him and his Olympic achievement.
Morris’ Olympic opportunity in South Korea comes after his four-player men’s team fell short at the 2017 Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings in Ottawa. A tournament where current Chestermerian, and former Morris gold medal team mate Ben Hebert stamped his ticket to the Olympics on team Koe.
“It was a tough year to be honest with you.
“You have your sights set on winning those team trials, that was our main goal going into this year, but now with this new discipline, it’s such a wonderful new discipline for our sport,” said Morris about the second chance.
After setting his sights on the mixed doubles championship, Morris had to make an last minute lineup change when his regular partner, Rachel Homan, won at the Roar of the Rings with her woman’s team.
“I got really lucky that Kaitlyn was available and I knew we’d make a great combo,” he said.
“I’ve always felt our dynamics were really good, we’re good friends and she’s just a heck of a shot maker,” said Morris.
Like Morris, Lawes is already a gold medal Olympian having won playing second on Jennifer Jones rink at the 2014 Olympics.
Morris and Lawes are making history as the first team to represent Canada in Olympic mixed curling doubles.
For those unfamiliar the sport, mixed doubles is a faster version of the game with only two players, one male and one female, per team instead of the usual four players.
Each team plays five stones with a six one pre-placed.
Competition in mixed curling doubles starts Feb.8, the day before the Opening Ceremonies in Pyeongchang.