2025 ACAC Curling Players of The Year
Edmonton, AB (February 12, 2025) –
FEMALE CURLING PLAYER OF THE YEAR, KAYLEE RANISETH:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Kaylee Raniseth of the Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Queens has been selected as the 2024/2025 ACAC Female Curler of the Year.
Delburne, Alberta’s Raniseth played an integral role in the RDP Queens having a successful season. The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens finished with an impressive 8-2 record during regular season competition. As the ACAC Curling season progressed, Raniseth (skip) and the Queens elevated their game.
“Kaylee led the team to a second-place finish after regionals. Then the team went undefeated at the ACAC Championships to win the gold medal,” says Brad Hamilton, Head Coach, Red Deer Polytechnic Curling. “Kaylee made a number of clutch shots to keep the team in games, including a clutch draw to win the one versus two playoff to get to the gold medal game. Kaylee's strategy and shot making were the reasons she was chosen as ACAC Curler of the Year.”
Raniseth, a talented, fourth-year student-athlete, and the RDP Queens achieved a 3-0 record during round robin play at the ACAC Curling Championships held at the Pidherney Centre in Red Deer. Then they downed the Concordia University Thunder 5-4 to advance directly to the gold medal game where the two teams met in a rematch. The Queens earned a 5-2 decision, solidifying the ACAC Women’s Curling Championship on home ice.
This prestigious award was recognized at the 2025 ACAC Curling Championships hosted by RDP.
Raniseth, a Bachelor of Education Middle Years student, and the Queens will compete at the 2025 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA)/Curling Canada College Championships held February 24-28 at Lethbridge Curling Club.
MALE CURLING PLAYER OF THE YEAR, DAVID BAUM:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce David Baum of the SAIT Trojans has been selected as the 2025 ACAC Men’s Curling Player of the Year.
The SAIT Trojans Men's Curling team had a strong season, finishing with a 7-1 record across two regionals to claim the top spot heading into the ACAC Championships. The regular season was tightly contested, with the Trojans, Red Deer Kings, and Lakeland Rustlers all finishing with 3-1 records. SAIT stood out in the Winter Regionals, going undefeated with a 4-0 record, which put them in a solid position for the playoffs.
At the ACAC Championships, the Trojans faced off against Red Deer Polytechnic in a tightly contested final, edging them out 7-6 to secure the gold medal. With strong leadership from skip David Baum, the Trojans managed to hold their ground throughout the season and deliver when it mattered most. The team's performance throughout the year, including their dominant showing in the regionals and the final victory, highlighted their consistency and skill.
“David is an exceptional student-athlete, balancing top-tier academic achievements with remarkable leadership on the ice. After narrowly missing out on the ACAC championships last year, he took it in stride and led his team to CCAA bronze, while also earning a spot as a CCAA second-team all-star. This year, David’s calm and confident leadership has been a driving force, keeping his team at the top of the leaderboard throughout the season. With David at the helm, the Trojans are well-prepared for Nationals, and we couldn’t be more excited to see what they’ll achieve. Congratulations, David!”- Lauren Kucera, Manager of Athletics, SAIT Trojans
David Baum is a standout athlete from the SAIT Trojans Men's Curling team, hailing from Saskatoon, SK. He is currently in his second year of study at SAIT, whilst taking Environmental Technology.
David has a strong history in curling, with years of experience at both the junior and collegiate levels. His leadership and strategic abilities on the ice have been key to his success as the skip of the Trojans, earning him the prestigious ACAC Male Curler of the Year award for this season. Baum has consistently been a vital contributor to the Trojans’ curling program, guiding the team to multiple victories, including a gold medal at ACAC Championships. His curling achievements also extend to the CCAA Curling Nationals, where he played a pivotal role in leading his team to a National Bronze medal while also earning a Second Team All-Star honor. David’s exceptional skills, leadership, and dedication make him a key figure in the SAIT Trojans' success.
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About the ACAC: The ACAC is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in Alberta. Its mission is to provide competitive collegiate sport experiences, promote academic achievement and be a leader of sport development in Canada.
For more information on the ACAC, please visit our website: www.acac.ab.ca
For additional information, contact:
Mark Kosak, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
markk@acac.ab.ca
Kayla Beers, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
kaylab@acac.ab.ca