Two former Trent Excalibur curlers are making waves on the national stage as they compete at the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Mississauga. Julia Weagle ’06 (Gzowski College), skip for Team Nunavut, and Kristina Adams ’12 (Otonabee College), second for Team Newfoundland and Labrador, are taking the skills they honed at Trent to new heights. 

For Julia, the journey back to competitive curling began with an unexpected phone call in the spring of 2024. Three young women from Iqaluit asked her to come out of retirement and lead their team. Julia traveled north to meet her teammates and immerse herself in the culture of Nunavut. She represented the territory on the national stage at the 2025 Scotties Tournament of Hearts and will return to the iconic Canadian competition this year.  

“Representing the Territory on the national stage has been the thrill of a lifetime,” Julia commented. “I give a lot of credit for my achievements to my coaches and teammates who supported me through my time on the Trent Varsity Curling Team.”  

While at Trent, Julia completed her undergraduate degree in psychology and was recognized in her fourth year as a University Athletic Award recipient. She credits Trent’s interdisciplinary approach, along with the opportunity to explore business courses alongside her studies, with helping her discover a passion that would later guide her career path. Today, she serves as Senior Manager of Guest Experience with Ottawa Sport & Entertainment Group, bringing the same commitment, teamwork, and strategic thinking to her professional role that has defined her athletic journey. 

A former Trent nursing student and Excalibur curling athlete, Kristina Adams is chasing her own dream. Earlier this month, she and her teammates - skip Mackenzie Mitchell, vice Jessica Wiseman, lead Stacie Curtis, and coach Leslie Ann Walsh - captured the provincial title at the RE/MAX Centre in St. John’s. Now, Team Mitchell is ready to represent Newfoundland and Labrador at the Scotties. Kristina maintains strong ties to the Peterborough area and remains actively involved with the Lakefield Curling Club. 

“Looking back on my years as a varsity curling athlete for Trent, it wasn't just the competition that stayed with me but the teammates and friendships I made along the way,” says Kristina. “They helped to always remind me why I fell in love with curling in the first place.” 

The Scotties takes place January 23 to February 1 at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre in Mississauga, Ontario. Team Nunavut will face Team Newfoundland and Labrador on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. EST. View the full tournament schedule.