The reigning B.C. men害羞草研究所檚 curling champs will try to defend their title in 2021.

The Vernon-Kelowna-Saskatoon foursome of Jim Cotter (Vernon), Steve Laycock (Saskatoon), Andrew Nerpin (Kelowna) and Rick Sawatsky (Vernon-Kelowna) announced on its Facebook page that the team remains intact.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e staying together but my plan is to play a little less than the other guys,害羞草研究所� said Cotter Monday morning, Aug. 10. 害羞草研究所淩ight now, we害羞草研究所檙e like everybody else, waiting to see what害羞草研究所檚 going to happen (with COVID).害羞草研究所�

Cotter will throw fourth stones for the rink while Laycock returns as the skip. Sawatsky (lead) and Nerpin (second) remain as the front end.

The current lineup has won the last two provincial belairdirect championships, the 2020 title coming in Cranbrook with a 10-6 win over former World junior champion Tyler Tardi of Langley in the final.

That gave Cotter and Sawatsky their record-breaking ninth provincial Purple Heart championship, the most of any male curlers in B.C. history.

Cotter and Sawatsky have won eight of the last 10 provincial titles. Both were members of Bob Ursel害羞草研究所檚 Kelowna team that won in 2008.

At the 2020 Tim Hortons Brier Canadian men害羞草研究所檚 championship in Kingston, Ont., Team Cotter went 2-5, failing to advance to the playoff round.

It was the ninth Brier appearance for Cotter, Sawatsky and Laycock, who qualified for seven other championships out of his home province of Saskatchewan.

Cotter and Sawatsky lost the 2014 Brier final to Kevin Koe of Alberta in Cotter害羞草研究所檚 hometown of Kamloops, which will host the 2021 B.C. championships.

The 2021 Brier is slated for Kelowna.

The B.C. champs will have an automatic berth to the provincial finals in Kamloops.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 definitely appealing, having the provincials in Kamloops,害羞草研究所� smiled Cotter, who also coaches a women害羞草研究所檚 team from Japan, and competes in mixed doubles with his daughter Jaelyn. 害羞草研究所淎nd the Brier is slated for Kelowna. And here we sit, right in the middle of both in Vernon.害羞草研究所�

Nerpin has been a part of the last three provincial championship squads. He threw second stones in 2018 for Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 Sean Geall, who defeated Cotter 9-7 in the B.C. final in Parksville.

roger@vernonmorningstar.com
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