Curling Team Schneider calls it quits after lone season together

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — After a lone season in which they represented Team B.C. at Montana’s Brier, Team Schneider, which featured Fort St. John product, Sterling Middleton, has decided to part ways.

A social media post on April 22nd says the team announced its discontinuation despite the “early successes” it had in winning tournaments in Vernon, Edmonton, and the provincial bonspiel in Esquimalt.

They finished the Brier with a four-win, four-loss record, narrowly missing out on the playoff round.

Middleton spoke with Energeticcity.ca, providing some insight into the surprise announcement.

“There was no bad blood between us,” Middleton said. “We just assessed where we were and our desire to be competitive to reach our goals, and we decided that we needed to find a new rink.”

“This was mutual. Obviously, we’ll still be great friends on and off the ice.”

The team featured a new skip, Catlin Schneider, who took the helm of a team for the first time in his career. 

Other teammates included Jason Ginther and Alex Horvath, each of whom Sterling has played with for several seasons.

Middleton confirmed Ginther would be his teammate again next season, with the announcement of a new foursome at a later date.

In the meantime, Middleton has nothing but positive things to say about Horvath and Schneider.

“Catlin was our skip for one year,” said Middleton. “It was a really good year. Alex, I’ve played with for four or five years off and on. We’ve played some really big games and gone to many cool places together.”

“I’m sure that whatever those guys decide to do competitively, it will be in their best interest, and they will be making choices that will be best for them career-wise.”

Middleton says the Team Schneider page on Facebook will stay up until the announcement about a new team is made.