Special to the Western News
Team North America’s emblem for the 2013 World Financial Group Continental Cup of Curling is a blend of the maple leaf and stars and stripes. It symbolizes the flags of the two nations that will compete against Team World Jan. 10 to 13 in Penticton.
It’s also a perfect fit for Heath McCormick, who was born in Lansing, Michigan and raised in Sarnia. He curled competitively in Ontario for a number of years before relocating south of the border in 2010 to chase his championship dreams. Finishing fourth in the 2011 U.S Men’s Curling Championship, McCormick returned last year to defeat defending champ Pete Fenson in the final and move on to represent the U.S. at the 2012 World Men’s Curling Championship.
McCormick, known as Heater, competed in the Ontario Junior Curling Championships five times, earning a trip to the national stage in 1996. He threw third stones for Patrick Ferris. McCormick was also a six-time participant in the Ontario men’s provincial championships finishing in the runner-up position in 2003. At the 2004 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship he lost the final match to Shannon Kleibrink of Alberta.
In January, he’ll make his debut at the World Financial Group Continental Cup as part of Team North America with a support crew that includes Matt Hames, William Stopera and Dean Gemmell.
You Gotta Be There to see Team North America battle Team World in the 2013 World Financial Group Continental Cup of Curling. With the challenge series tied at four wins a side, the ninth edition promises to be the most exciting in the history of the event.