A Heart This Big

I've been watching sports for a long time, and I've seen some amazing people do some amazing things. But I've never seen anything more amazing than what happened last week in Regina.

Saskatchewan's Michelle Englot was all ready for one magical week -- skipping the home team at a national championship, with a realistic chance to win. She was on the verge of playing for a title she wants very badly, one which has eluded her so far -- and doing it in front of friends and family.

Who could ask for more? The scene was set; the team was ready; the tournament of a lifetime was about to begin. And then the phone rang, and everything came crashing down. Michelle's father, Joe Englot, had passed away during the night.

What could she do? If the tournament were anywhere else, Michelle told the press, she would have gone home. But she was already home. There was no place to go. So the question was one of playing or not playing. And again there wasn't much of an option. Michelle would honour her commitments: to her team, to the event, and to her family. She would do it all -- or at least she would try.

Realistically, nobody could have done what Michelle Englot tried to do last week. Most of us can't even imagine trying to do something like that. Where would you find so much courage? Where would you get so much composure? Michelle only broke down in public once during the whole week -- when she was moved to tears by a standing ovation after a one-sided loss. Who wouldn't be moved by such a show of support?

One question follows another: Where would you get the energy? Where would you find the clarity? How could you compete at this level, against the top teams in the country, in the midst of a family tragedy? How could you handle the public spotlight and the private pain, all at the same time? How could you be gracious to strangers with microphones and cameras who would surround you after every game, asking questions about your family? I can't imagine doing any of that -- let alone doing all of it, not to mention winning some games along the way.

Much will be said of the playoffs, in which Sherry Middaugh missed a double and settled for bronze; in which Shannon Kleibrink missed a double and settled for silver. Much will be written about Jennifer Jones and her team, their run of eight straight wins, and their appearance at the World Championship. And rightly so, in my view. They've done some tremendous curling to get where they are now.

But let's not forget the example of grace and courage that we saw from the grieving Saskatchewan skip, who faced down much more than just granite and pebble and top-class opposition, and who left us with one more great mystery:

How can a woman this small have a heart this big?

"Now I Can Grieve"

Week ends in Heart-break

Murray McCormick, The Leader-Post
Published: Friday, February 22, 2008

It's over.

Michelle Englot's emotionally wrenching week as the hometown skip of Saskatchewan's team as the Canadian women's curling championship ended Thursday evening at the Brandt Centre with a 10-3 loss to Alberta's Shannon Kleibrink.

"In a sense, I'm glad that it is over," Englot said. "Now, I can grieve."

The defeat concluded seven days in the spotlight that no curler at the Scotties would have ever dreamed of having to endure. It started Feb. 15 when Joe Englot, Michelle's father, died of a heart attack at the family farm in Montmartre. He was 74.

Between then and last night, Englot played through her grief. She finished at 5-6 and won the support of a curling nation for the manner in which she dealt with totally unexpected adversity.

"It was the toughest week of my life but I made it through," Englot said before Thursday's late draw. "What is the song? 'What doesn't kill you can only make you stronger?'"

Englot, Darlene Kidd, Roberta Materi and Cindy Simmons were strong before the Scotties started. On Feb. 15, before Englot's world was shattered, they held a team meeting and were ready to toss rocks with some of the best teams in the country. It was Englot's sixth appearance at the Scotties and her first as a hometown skip. Englot's excitement about what lay ahead was noticeable.

"I really believe that had we played well and like we could, we could have won it," Englot said. "We know that we can beat the top teams. That was our goal before the beginning of the week."

The goal changed to surviving. Englot didn't miss an end while dealing with the death of her father. She only avoided one set of interviews Tuesday when she had to rush to Montmartre to attend the funeral service. Englot said she did consider stepping back and allowing alternate Lorie Kehler to fill in for her on Tuesday.

"We thought we had time to do everything and they had worked the funeral around my schedule," Englot said. "I was committed to playing the whole event."

She did all of the things that are required of a player at a national event. She had just one public breakdown -- Tuesday afternoon while being saluted with a standing ovation by the Brandt Centre crowd. Saskatchewan spent its badly needed bye attending the funeral. Englot returned to action Wednesday and lost both of her games to extend a losing streak to three games.

"I was emotionally drained (Wednesday)," Englot said. "Tuesday was a tough day. We didn't play well and it showed that I was drained. I did what I could and it wasn't enough."

Englot and Co. plan on remaining together for at least another year. After what it had been through this week, it would be shame to break up.

"They are some of my best friends and I can only believe this can make us closer as a team," Englot said.

© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2008

"We're Here To Curl"

Englot team turns focus to curling

Murray McCormick, Saskatchewan News Network; Regina Leader-Post
Published: Thursday, February 21, 2008

REGINA -- Michelle Englot has attempted to take control of the off-ice distractions at the Canadian women's curling championship.

Englot returned to action Wednesday at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts after attending a funeral service for her father, Joe Englot, in Montmartre on Tuesday. She was beaten 7-5 by Heather Strong of Newfoundland-Labrador on Wednesday and proclaimed to the media that was she was fine.

"The funeral went fine and we're here to curl," Englot said after falling to 4-4.

Englot and her teammates -- Darlene Kidd, Roberta Materi and Cindy Simmons -- have formed a unified front in dealing with the media's questions regarding the squad's off-ice emotions.

"Our team motto is, 'The funeral is done, we've said our good-byes and we're going to focus on curling,'" said Simmons. "We have to keep our heads into the game and not worry about the media."

Joe Englot, 74, died Friday at the family farm in Montmartre after suffering a heart attack. Englot has played through her grief and was able to keep her emotions in check. That was until after Tuesday's 8-6 loss to Nova Scotia's Mary-Anne Arsenault. The Brandt Centre crowd saluted Englot with a standing ovation, which led to the skip breaking down.

"It was just getting caught up in the moment," Englot said. "We knew that we had some tough things to deal with that day and we've dealt with them. We've decided to concentrate on curling and that's all that we're thinking about."

Englot fell behind 6-2 to Newfoundland-Labrador after five ends after giving up steals of one in the fourth and fifth ends and a steal of two in the sixth. She closed the gap to 6-5 in the eighth but that was as close as she could get.

"We were chasing them the whole first half of the game," Englot said. "We turned it around and finally had them chasing us. It was too little, too late."

© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2008

Sask Playoff Hopes Are Slim

Sask.'s playoff hopes need help

Englot loses twice on Wednesday to see record fall to 4-5

Murray McCormick, Saskatchewan News Network; Regina Leader-Post
Published: Thursday, February 21, 2008

REGINA -- Michelle Englot, who has dealt with more adversity off the ice than any skip should have to endure, is in dire straits at the Canadian women's curling championship.

Englot lost two games on Wednesday at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and needs plenty of help to make even a tiebreaker. Englot (4-5) is tied with Team Canada and B.C. for seventh heading into the final day of round-robin play.

"We need help -- big help," Englot proclaimed after losing 7-5 to Manitoba's Jennifer Jones at the Brandt Centre. "Five losses are probably too much but I haven't looked at who plays who and whatever to see if 6-5 would make it -- not that it matters at this point.

"It's a matter of pride in trying to get a better record. We'll come out and play hard (today)."

Englot and her Tartan crew of Darlene Kidd, Roberta Materi and Cindy Simmons opened play Wednesday in control of their fate. A couple of wins may have moved Saskatchewan into the playoff picture with a bit of cushion. Instead, Englot was beaten 7-5 by Heather Strong of Newfoundland-Labrador and then lost to Jones in the evening draw.

The evening loss may prove to be critical because both teams entered the game at 4-4. Teams with 6-5 records have made tiebreakers five times since the Page Playoffs were instituted in 1995. Those with 5-6 marks have never advanced.

"We were confident with four losses going into the game that we would be able to pull off a tiebreaker," Kidd said. "After this one, there has to be a lot of icing on the cake if we're to make playoffs."

Englot was back on the ice Wednesday after having two draws off. She left immediately after Tuesday's 8-4 loss to Nova Scotia's Mary-Anne Arsenault to attend her father's funeral in Montmartre. Joe Englot, 74, died Friday at the family home in Montmartre of a heart attack.

Englot stated the team was finished dealing with questions about her father's death and wanted to concentrate on curling. She was focused Wednesday but couldn't seem to recapture the momentum that led to a four-game winning streak which followed losses in her opening two games.

"It's just us," Kidd said. "The ice has been the same every game. The ice is a little bit quicker in the middle ends but it's us not doing what we should be doing."

Englot, who has lost three straight, hasn't had time to do any scoreboard watching.

"I've been glancing at the standings but there have been a lot of other things going on," said Englot, who was 4-7 in 2001 at her last Scotties in Sudbury. "It's hard to say what is going to happen but typically you never know what happens until the last game."

The seventh and eighth ends were the keys in the evening matchup. Jones was able to draw for three in the seventh to grab a 5-4 lead. In the eighth, Englot was heavy on both of her draws. The misses allowed Jones to steal two and assume control.

"We've been slipping deep all week and not controlling the front of the rings," Englot said. "That makes a big difference."

Englot has a bye this morning. She returns at 2 p.m. to play Prince Edward Island's Suzanne Gaudet (3-6) and opposes Alberta's Shannon Kleibrink (8-1) at 7 p.m. Englot's fate could be decided before she throws her first rock.

"That could be but we still want to play hard and have a record over .500," Englot said.

© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2008

"Michelle Has Been Incredible"

Saskatchewan skip soldiering on

By JIM BENDER -- Sun Media
February 20, 2008

REGINA -- Not a soul would have blamed Michelle Englot if she [had] passed on playing in this year's Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

Or even the first day or two.

After all, the Saskatchewan skip learned her father, Joe, had died mere hours before she was slated to practise at the Brandt Centre on Friday. But she still made it to practice and she still played because, as she said, her dad would have wanted it that way.

After losing her first two games here, Englot won four straight before Nova Scotia's Mary-Anne Arsenault dropped her foursome 8-4 yesterday afternoon.

After the loss, Englot high-tailed it to Montmartre, which is within an hour's drive of Regina, because the funeral was scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. Saskatchewan had a bye on the Hearts draw last night when the rest of the curlers were wearing green ribbons in tribute to Joe Englot.

"We've constantly looked at re-grouping," Englot, 44, said before the loss to Nova Scotia (she was unavailable afterward). "I didn't think that we were far off the first couple of games so, it wasn't a big stretch. We just had to deal with a lot of emotions and I think we've gotten through that and we're finally playing better."

But it hasn't been easy.

"I've been taking every opportunity to rest," said Englot, tears welled in her eyes. "I've been going on a little bit of adrenaline because I haven't been sleeping that great. But I have been napping when possible and doing what I can to stay emotionally strong."

Despite the loss to Nova Scotia, Englot is still in the thick of things at 4-3.

"It's like you pull together as a family and we just know how to bring out the best in each other," said Saskatchewan lead Cindy Simmons. "We support each other. Michelle has been incredible. To be able to deal with what she has to do, she has been fantastic. The support of the crowd has been enormous to our team and her family as well.

"(Today's) game (against Newfoundland) is going to be tough but we have a strategy worked out to deal with it."

Englot was reduced to tears when the crowd gave her a standing ovation after the loss to Nova Scotia and she crumpled into the arms of Simmons, who was also crying uncontrollably.

"I don't know if I could do what she's doing," sympathized Arsenault. "I don't think I'd have the guts and courage to do it."

Meanwhile, Ontario's Sherry Middaugh pasted P.E.I.'s Suzanne Gaudet 10-2 to move into a first-place tie with Alberta's Shannon Kleibrink at 6-1. Kleibrink clobbered Manitoba's Jennifer Jones 10-3, then shocked reporters by saying she would prefer to play in the Page playoff 3-4 game over the 1-2 match because she doesn't like to sit.

"I think we sent a statement to ourselves because (third) Kirsten (Wall) and I haven't been here for four years," said Middaugh, who plays Alberta this afternoon. "And (second) Kim (Moore) hasn't been here since 1997. And it's the first time for (lead) Andra (Harmark). We're curling really well."

Quebec's Marie-France Larouche won both her games to move into a tie for third with Nova Scotia and Newfoundland at 5-2. Team Canada's Kelly Scott won both games yesterday to improve to 3-4 and a seventh-place tie with Manitoba and B.C.

The Cheers Drew Tears

Saskatchewan curling fans are tough!

When you wear the green, they expect you to win; they also expect you to play well, especially at home.

So when the hometown skip shoots 41% in a one-sided loss, she doesn't expect a standing ovation.

Cheers and tears at the Scotties

by Murray McCormick, The Regina Leader-Post
Published: Wednesday, February 20, 2008

The cheers drew tears.

A Tuesday afternoon crowd of 3,819 at the Brandt Centre saluted Saskatchewan's Michelle Englot with a standing ovation after she was beaten 8-4 by Nova Scotia's Mary-Anne Arsenault at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Englot acknowledged the tribute at the Canadian women's curling championship with a wave and a smile.

Seconds later, Englot was battling tears. Englot, who left immediately after Tuesday's game to attend her father's funeral in Montmartre, wasn't able to control her emotions any longer. Joe Englot, 74, died Friday of a heart attack at the family farm in Montmartre.

Michelle Englot was embraced by her teammates when she reached the end of Sheet A. The diminutive skip's shoulders were shaking as she finally gave in to her grief.

"What a strong lady," Nova Scotia lead Nancy Delahunt said while wiping away tears after the win. "I've always had so much respect for her. Now I respect her more for maintaining her commitment to the team. Her boys (Bret and Derek) were here and she is setting such a wonderful example for her family by doing the most difficult thing that she has ever done.

"She is leading her whole family and I expect they will look to her as a beacon and a leader. There is always someone who emerges at times like this and Michelle is that one."

Englot wasn't available to speak to the media after the game. The team rushed from the Brandt Centre to Montmartre to make a 7 p.m. funeral. There was also a viewing at 5:30 p.m. that Englot was hoping to make.

Englot, Darlene Kidd, Roberta Materi and Cindy Simmons made the 90-kilometre trip to Montmartre in private vehicles. Some of the curlers, along with representatives from the host committee, the Saskatchewan Curling Association and the Canadian Curling Association, boarded a chartered bus to attend the funeral. The players in the evening draw wore green ribbons as a sign of the support for Englot.

"I can't imagine doing it," Delahunt added when asked about the game. "The family will find a lot of strength in watching what Michelle does."

Englot looked sharp Tuesday morning while beating Kerry Galusha of the Yukon-Northwest Territories 9-4 to increase Saskatchewan's winning streak to four games.

Englot dealt with a crush of media after politely informing them that members of the team wouldn't be available for interviews after the match against Nova Scotia.

"I just wanted to get going right after the game," Englot said.

Against Nova Scotia, Englot's mind was obviously on more important matters. She faced a number of difficult shots, which she wasn't able to execute. Englot made only 41 per cent of her shots before shaking hands in the eighth end.

"You feel sympathy and empathy for her in that situation," Arsenault said. "Not that it is wrong what she's doing but I don't know if I would have the guts to do that."

Englot has been a rock, at least in public. She is the manager of external communications with SaskTel and had the foresight to let media know of her intentions regarding interviews. She was greeted by the largest scrum of the Scotties after her win over Galusha.

During that scrum, Englot paid tribute to her father.

"I learned to curl with my dad," said Englot, who is appearing in her sixth Scotties but her first as the skip of the hometown team. "He used to let me skip during club curling in Montmartre. He was very hard on me but that that's why I am where I am today."

Materi said that Joe Englot was always at the rink when Michelle played.

"He was a silent man and I'll bet it was hard on his nerves at times," said Materi. "But he was also very supportive. I think in her heart that she knows he's here. We're playing for him and we know that he's watching."

The afternoon loss dropped Englot to 4-3 and sixth place before last night's draw. She had a bye Tuesday night and another this morning before returning to action at 2 p.m. today against Heather Strong of Newfoundland-Labrador. Englot plays Manitoba's Jennifer Jones in the 7 p.m. draw.

"I think we will be fine," Englot said when asked about regrouping from the funeral. "We have plans to meet as a team around noon. Then, we'll go from there."

© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2008

Three In A Row: The Rebound Continues

Englot continues to rebound

Murray McCormick, The Leader-Post
Published: Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Before her father's death, before starting 0-2 at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Michelle Englot was feeling great about her lot in life.

The Regina-based skip of Saskatchewan at the Canadian women's curling championship was pleased with work, her family life and the way it had come together in her 44th year. Most of those good feelings were pushed to the side when Joe Englot died Friday, one day before the Scotties started at the Brandt Centre. Joe Englot died at the family farm in Montmartre after suffering a heart attack.

"I'm battling to get back, get back there and that isn't coming easily," Englot said after rebounding from her dreadful start to improve to 3-2 and tied for fourth with four others heading into today's draws. "Hopefully we'll use the other strengths that we have."

Englot has drawn upon more than the support of her team to deal with the tragedy. Englot, Darlene Kidd, Roberta Materi and Cindy Simmons had met with sports psychologist Gary Gregor on Thursday and a number of times over the weekend. Gregor, who helped 1989 Saskatchewan Roughriders win the Grey Cup, has helped the players and alternate Lorie Kehler and coach Anita Ford deal with the grief they are all feeling.

"We gave each other permission to play like we normally do and that was huge," Simmons said. "It was OK to have fun out there, to be ourselves and play the way we want to play. It's not disrespectful and we've given ourselves permission to have fun and that's when we play our best. If I couldn't do that, I wouldn't be playing."

Normal is a state Englot is striving to reach. She was not there when Saskatchewan was beaten 9-6 by Quebec's Marie-France Larouche on Saturday and 8-6 by Ontario's Sherry Middaugh on Sunday.

"It was definitely hard and it is hard to step out there," said Englot, who is appearing in her sixth Scotties but first as the skip of the hometown team. "There are moments when I get weepy but I'm doing OK."

A three-game winning streak has helped. Englot was dealing more with curling questions as the weekend progressed.

Gregor, who worked with Englot at the 2001 Canadian Olympic team trials, has helped her clear some of the hurdles associated with her grief.

"It's nice having a third party come in and talk about your emotions," said Englot. "Giving us permission to play was important for me because I was struggling with it. Maybe I shouldn't be here ... That definitely helped me."

The move forward started Sunday night when Englot bounced back from a 6-4 sixth-end deficit to pull out an 8-6 win over Team Canada's Kelly Scott. Englot backed up that win with a 10-5 victory over New Brunswick's Sylvie Robichaud on Monday morning and a 5-4 win over B.C.'s Allison MacInnes last night.

"Family Day was good to us and we'll take it," Englot said. "We just hope that we can keep building on this."

Englot has games today against Kerry Galusha of the Yukon/Northwest Territories at 9:30 a.m. and Nova Scotia's Mary-Anne Arsenault at 2 p.m.

Upon the completion of those games, Englot and her team will make the 90-kilometre trip southeast of Regina to Montmartre for a funeral mass, 7 p.m., at Sacred Heart Church. Saskatchewan also has Wednesday morning off before resuming play at 2 p.m. against Heather Strong of Newfoundland and Labrador.

"We'll deal with (today) the same we have been," Englot said. "We'll give ourselves permission to play. We have a funeral to attend after that but I think we're through the toughest part emotionally. (Tonight) will be tough but we have grieved and we're starting to turn the corner. We'll be all right and we'll deal with it."

Englot (3-2) was tied with Manitoba's Jennifer Jones, Arsenault and Larouche. Alberta's Shannon Kleibrink (5-0) is first followed by Heather Strong of Newfoundland-Labrador and Ontario's Sherry Middaugh at 4-1.

The Scotties runs through Sunday. The winner is to represent Canada at the Ford women's world championship, March 22-30 in Vernon, B.C.

© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2008

Two Games And A Funeral

Two Games And A Funeral: Best Wishes To Michelle Englot

Pat Hiver | Tuesday, February 19, 2008

We need to take a break from the usual fare so I can introduce you to Michelle Englot [shown here with her son, Derek], one of the finest curlers I've ever seen and one of the nicest people I've ever met.

Michelle has played the cold game at a very high level for more than 20 years now, with class and style and humor (win or lose), and this week she's representing her province (Saskatchewan) at a Canadian national championship for the 8th time (six times in women's play, once in mixed and once in juniors).

It was set up to be a special championship for Michelle, played in her home city of Regina, where she is greatly admired -- not only for the way she plays the game (fearless and intensely focused, yet relaxed and funny) but even more for the person she is (bright, friendly, and very kind).

I'm usually neutral in such things, but it's not hard to tell that Michelle is special, and I've been cheering for her for a long time. I've been thrilled to see her play in two national semifinals -- so far -- but a spot in the championship game has eluded her -- so far. The 1989 semifinal, against eventual Canadian and World Champion Heather Houston, was one of the most exquisite and excruciating games I have ever seen. And the curling gods have not been kind to Michelle since her near miss 19 years ago.

Maybe this will be her year; it couldn't happen at a better time or to a better person. She's certainly paid her dues.

The tournament began on Saturday and continues until Sunday; twelve teams are playing a round-robin that will finish on Thursday night and the top four teams will make the playoffs, which begin Friday. After dropping their first two games, Michelle and her team have won three in a row and finished Monday night tied for fourth place; today (Tuesday) they will have two games and a funeral.

Michelle's father, Joe Englot, passed away suddenly on Thursday night or Friday morning, and Michelle is playing with a very heavy heart.

If the tournament were anywhere else but Regina, Michelle told the press, she would have gone home. But she's already home. There's no place to go.

Joe Englot was an enthusiastic curler and a great supporter of Michelle throughout her career. He didn't feel well on Thursday and went to see a doctor; that night he had pains in his chest and told Michelle's mom, "If anything happens to me, tell Michelle to still curl." So she's playing -- at a very high level -- while grieving. What a sight!

Just watching on TV, you can see it in her face and in her body language; even when she makes a great shot (and she makes a lot of great shots) or wins a close game (ditto), she's finding it difficult to smile.

It's completely understandable, of course, and so is the tremendous support she's been getting from her teammates and the hometown fans.

I wish I were there. I wish I could be there. I wish I could drop everything and go to Regina, hang out in the Brandt Centre, pound my hands together for every good shot they make (and every lucky break they get) and scream myself hoarse by the end of the week. It wouldn't be the first time. But it's not gonna happen this year.

Instead -- not enough, not nearly enough, but the best I can manage -- I send my very best wishes to Michelle Englot, her family and her teammates: Cindy Simmons [seen here with Michelle], Roberta Materi and Darlene Kidd.

The funeral mass for Joe Englot will take place on Tuesday evening, at Sacred Heart Church in Montmartre, about an hour southeast of Regina.

The whole town of Montmartre will be there, and my heart will be there too, beginning at 7 p.m.

"It's A Blessing That We Are At Home"

Team Saskatchewan deals with death of skip's father

CBC Saskatchewan | Saturday, February 16, 2008

The leader of Saskatchewan's women's curling team says she'll carry on at the Canadian championships despite the death of her father.

Michelle Englot's father, 74-year-old Joe Englot, died unexpectedly Thursday night after experiencing chest pains earlier in the day.

Englot, 44, is Saskatchwewan's skip at the Tournament of Hearts in Regina.

Back on the ice Friday to participate in the tournament's skills competition, she said it was difficult but she's determined to give it her best.

Englot said the whole week will be emotional, but she'll be playing for her father.

"I know he would want me to play, so I'm here with him in my heart," she said.

Englot said she's glad the tournament is in her home town this year.

"It's a blessing that we are at home, because I feel that I can stay and play," she said.

"All my friends and family are here. I wouldn't have been able to be halfway across the country at this time."

Englot's team members said they'll be right behind her.

"Michelle's a tough egg, just like Joe was," said alternate [Lorie] Kehler.

Kehler said her job is to step in if any teammate can't compete, but this time she sees her role as one of offering support.

"You let her know you care. I mean, we're probably as close to her family as we are to her, so it really affected everybody," she said.

It's important now for the team to get some positive momentum going, she said.

Englot said her team will take a little time to regroup but they'll be ready for their first game Saturday against Quebec at 2:30 p.m. CT.

Curling With A Heavy Heart

Saskatchewan skip Englot's father passes away

Murray McCormick, Leader-Post
Published: Friday, February 15, 2008

Saskatchewan's Michelle Englot will be playing at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts with a heavy heart.

The Canadian women's curling championship begins Saturday at the Brandt Centre. Joe Englot, Michelle's father, died Friday at the family farm in Montmartre. He was 74.

"It's not as if he wasn't healthy but he told my mother (Norma) that if anything happened to him to tell Michelle to curl," Englot said Friday. "That's what I'm going to do and I'm going to do it for him. I know he wouldn't have wanted me to not play. I'll do it with him in my heart."

Michelle Englot, 44, made the 90-kilometre drive to Montmartre to be with family members Friday. She returned to Brandt Centre in time for Friday's 10 a.m. practice sessions. Englot also took part in the Ford Hot Shots competition before meeting with the media to discuss her father's unexpected death.

"He went to the doctor (Thursday) because he was having some chest pains," said Englot, who is curling with Darlene Kidd, Roberta Materi and Cindy Simmons. "He told him to lose some weight, go home and you'll feel better."

Englot didn't give much thought to backing out of the Scotties. She said she would draw upon the support of her teammates, family and friends to make it through the week.

"I'll use his strength and I'll be fine," Englot said. "(Friday) night will be a bit of a letdown. We'll regroup and come out strong (Saturday)."

Englot watched her teams throw rocks while sitting on the bumper behind the sheet. She looked stoic and composed and was even seen laughing with her teammates. Englot's 17-year-old son, Derek arrived Friday afternoon and the two shared a long embrace.

It's the first opportunity that Englot has had to play in the Scotties as the hometown team. The proximity of Regina to Montmartre was one of the reasons Englot felt that she could continue.

"I wouldn't have stayed if we were in some other part of the country," Englot said. "It's a blessing that we are at home. I feel that I can still play because all of my family and friends are here. I wouldn't have had that if had been across the country."

Joe Englot is survived by his wife, Norma, and children Mallory, Michelle, Nissa and Norman and numerous grandchildren. Funeral services are pending.

The Scotties runs through Feb. 24.

© Leader-Post 2008