Galusha, Scharf Embrace Scotties Journey with Teen Daughters

Kerry Galusha finds fulfillment in her new role within the curling community. The 48-year-old athlete has represented Northwest Territories in an astounding 22 Scotties Tournament of Hearts. She marked her final national championship last year in Thunder Bay, competing alongside her daughter, Sydney. Since stepping back from competitive play, Galusha has embraced coaching the next generation of curlers from the North.

Galusha’s Coaching Journey

This season, Galusha is mentoring three teams, including the Northwest Territories rink participating in the 2023 Tournament of Hearts in Mississauga. “It’s been very busy,” she shared. “I have not thrown one rock. I’ve really embraced the coaching role, and it’s been really fun.”

The Team Dynamics

Nicky Kaufman, age 40, leads the Northwest Territories team as skip in her debut at the Scotties. The lineup also features:

• Megan Koehler, a seasoned player in her seventh Scotties.
• Sydney Galusha, 16, who returns for her second outing.
• Ella Skauge, 17, also competing for the second time.
• Brynn Chorostkowski, 16, acting as the alternate.

Both Sydney and Ella logged a commendable 3-5 record with Galusha last season, showcasing their potential.

Challenges of Curling in the North

Galusha highlights the difficulties of maintaining competitive teams in the Northwest Territories. Factors include the high costs of travel and the challenge of losing junior curlers to education opportunities elsewhere.

“We lose kids to universities and colleges down south,” she explained. “Ella Skauge is going to school next year, and Brynn and Sydney will graduate soon. We may potentially lose them for several years.”

A Family Legacy in Curling

Galusha comes from a family with deep ties to the sport. Her brother, Jamie Koe, has played in 18 Montana’s Briers. Meanwhile, her older brother, Kevin Koe, has won multiple championships in Calgary. Kerry works for the Department of Justice but remains committed to nurturing curling talent in her region.

Looking Ahead

As Galusha reflects on the future, she remains uncertain about her young curlers. “I know Sydney is excited about possibly joining an Alberta team for school,” she revealed. “I’m not sure what the girls will decide.”

During this year’s Tournament, Northwest Territories achieved a record of 1-1, highlighted by a significant 10-5 victory over Yukon.

Upcoming Events

Following the Scotties, Galusha will shift focus to coaching her daughter and Skauge at the Canadian Under-20 Championship, scheduled for March 28 to April 5 in Sudbury. Last year, their team struggled, finishing with a 1-7 record at the event in Summerside, PEI. Galusha aims to leverage their experiences for a better outcome this time.

Scharf and Family Bond

In a parallel journey, Krista Scharf, Northern Ontario skip, is also joined by her 16-year-old daughter, Bella McCarville, in her 13th Scotties appearance. Scharf cherishes the opportunity to share this experience with her daughter. “It’s something nice to do together as a family,” she said.

Both women are leveraging their experiences and family bonds to not just compete, but also to inspire the next generation of curlers in Canada. Whether on the ice or in the community, the influence of experienced curlers like Galusha and Scharf is invaluable as they pass on their knowledge to young athletes.