Mohawk Mountaineers second-year curler Jacob Jones will be representing Canada at the 2023 Under-21 World Championships.
Jones, along with his teammates on Team Ontario 1, captured gold at the Under-21 National Curling Championships in Stratford on April 1. They defeated Alberta 1 10-4 in the championship match.
"It's still pretty hard to put my feelings into words. It's just unreal," Jones said. "I could not be prouder of myself and my team for showing up and showing what we're made of."
Despite finishing round robin play with a 7-1 record, Jones and his team had a tough playoff path but came away with victories over Newfoundland 1 and Saskatchewan 1 prior to beating Alberta.
"We pulled together as a team and stayed focused and it worked out in the end, and I couldn't be happier," Jones said.
It has been an incredible past two months for the Brantford, ON native. Back in February, Jones and the Mountaineers men's curling team captured the 2022 OCAA Championship. The Mohawk skip was also named OCAA Men's Most Valuable Player and a First-Team Championship All-Star.
"I definitely did not see myself getting to this point," Jones said when reflecting on the last two months. "Even last year if you told me I'd accomplish everything I have this season, especially these last few months, I would've thought you were crazy."
"For the first time in my curling career I feel like I've been able to show what I'm actually capable of," he added.
Jones went on to thank his Ontario 1 team, who play out of the Whitby Curling Club, for making him an addition to the roster at the start of the season.
When asked what it'll mean to represent Canada, Jones said he is looking forward to having the maple leaf on his back.
"It's a dream come true and I can't wait to experience it with some of my best friends."
