By Annaliese Meier with files from Resby Coutts
Age proved to be no barrier for Charlie McCullough and Wayne Johnston.
The Carman duo delivered an impressive performance at the Manitoba 55+ Games stick curling competition, held March 18–19 in Morden, earning gold in their age category while competing against younger teams.
At “a little over 80,” McCullough and Johnston drew attention throughout the event with their precision shot-making and steady play, holding their own against curlers many years their junior.
McCullough, a former Canadian Stick Curling Association Open champion in 2010, and Johnston remain active at the Carman Curling Club, though they have not regularly competed on the provincial bonspiel circuit in recent years.
Competing in the over-70 division, the pair advanced to the semifinals after defeating Marvin Klassen and Roland VanDeynze. They were edged in the semifinal by eventual division winners Blair Coggans and Lino Santos.
However, at the conclusion of the event, McCullough and Johnston were awarded the gold medal as the top team in the over-85 age category, recognizing their outstanding performance within their division.
The Manitoba 55+ Games, presented by PlayNow and organized by Active Aging in Manitoba, highlight the importance of staying active and engaged later in life. This year’s provincial event is scheduled for mid-June in the Morden–Stanley–Winkler region.
“Charlie and Wayne are a perfect example of active aging in Manitoba,” said executive director Linda Brown. “Now in their mid- to late eighties, they continue to embrace opportunities to stay physically active, remain involved in the sport they’ve played for a lifetime, and stay connected with others.
“They are an inspiration to us all.”
