Mackenzie Zacharias Explained

Mackenzie Zacharias
Birth Date:8 June 1999
Birth Place:Winnipeg, Manitoba
Curling Club:Altona CC,
Altona, MB[1]
Hearts Appearances:3
Top Cca Ranking:3rd (2022–23)

Mackenzie Zacharias (born June 8, 1999) is a Canadian curler from Altona, Manitoba.[2] She skipped her Manitoba rink to a gold medal at both the 2020 Canadian Junior Curling Championships and the 2020 World Junior Curling Championships.

Career

Zacharias represented Manitoba at the 2016 U18 International Curling Championships and skipped the rink to gold medal, defeating the other undefeated team New Brunswick's Justine Comeau in the final.[3] She also represented Manitoba the following year at the 2017 Canadian U18 Curling Championships where they finished with a 4–4 record.

Zacharias won her first Manitoba junior title in 2019. She skipped her rink to a fifth-place finish at the 2019 Canadian Junior Curling Championships. The following year, she and her sister Emily Zacharias brought on Karlee Burgess and Lauren Lenentine to the team. They would win the Manitoba juniors once again and represent Manitoba at the national championship. They would not have any loses at the 2020 Canadian Junior Curling Championships, completing a perfect 11–0 week by defeating Alberta's Abby Marks in the final. At the world junior championships, they defeated South Korea's Kim Min-ji to claim the gold medal.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, many provinces had to cancel their provincial championships, with member associations selecting their representatives for the 2021 Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Due to this situation, Curling Canada added three Wild Card teams to the national championship, which were based on the CTRS standings from the 2019–20 season.[4] Because Team Zacharias ranked 11th on the CTRS[5] and kept at least three of their four players together for the 2020–21 season, they got the second Wild Card spot at the 2021 Scotties in Calgary, Alberta.[6] At the Hearts, Zacharias led her team to a 3–5 round robin record, failing to qualify for the championship round.[7]

Team Zacharias won their second event of the 2021–22 season, going undefeated to capture the Mother Club Fall Curling Classic.[8] They later had a semifinal finish at the Stu Sells Toronto Tankard after losing to eventual winners Team Hollie Duncan. Because of their successes on tour, Team Zacharias had enough points to qualify for the 2021 Canadian Olympic Curling Pre-Trials.[9] At the Pre-Trials, the team finished the round robin with a 4–2 record.[10] This qualified them for the double knockout round, where they lost both of their games and were eliminated.[11] Elsewhere on tour, the team reached the quarterfinals of the Red Deer Curling Classic and won the MCT Championships in November 2021.[12] At the 2022 Manitoba Scotties Tournament of Hearts in December 2021, Team Zacharias finished with a 3–2 record in their pool, enough to advance to the championship pool. They then won three straight games to finish first overall and earn a bye to the provincial final.[13] In the final, they faced the Kristy Watling rink which they defeated 7–5, earning the right to represent Manitoba at the 2022 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.[14] At the Hearts, Zacharias led her team to a 5–3 record.[15] This qualified them for a tiebreaker against the Northwest Territories' Kerry Galusha, which they lost 8–6 and were eliminated.[16] Team Zacharias played in their first Grand Slam event at the 2022 Players' Championship. There, they posted a 2–3 record, missing the playoffs. They wrapped up their season at the 2022 Best of the West event where they lost in the semifinals to Corryn Brown.

On March 17, 2022, Team Zacharias announced that they would be joining forces with Jennifer Jones for the 2022–23 season. Jones would take over the team as skip, with the four Zacharias members each moving down one position in the lineup.[17] The newly revised Jones lineup found immediate success on tour, winning the 2022 Saville Shoot-Out after an undefeated run.[18] The team then competed in the 2022 PointsBet Invitational single elimination event where they won all four of their games to claim the title.[19] They had three semifinal finishes in a row at the 2022 Curlers Corner Autumn Gold Curling Classic, 2022 Stu Sells 1824 Halifax Classic and the DeKalb Superspiel, losing to Michèle Jäggi, Christina Black and Nancy Martin respectively. At the 2023 Manitoba Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Team Jones went undefeated to win their first provincial title as a new squad.[20] This qualified the team for the 2023 Scotties Tournament of Hearts where after an opening draw loss, they went on a ten-game winning streak to qualify for the final where they faced the three-time defending champions in Team Kerri Einarson. Tied 2–2 in the fifth, Jones pulled up light on her final draw which gave Team Canada a steal of two. In the ninth, Jones missed a pivotal freeze which left Einarson with an open hit to count five to secure the win.[21] In Grand Slam play, Team Jones reached the playoffs in four of six events but never made it past the quarterfinal round.

Following the 2022–23 season, Zacharias announced she would be stepping back from competitive curling.[22] She did compete in one event during the 2023–24 season, however, the 2024 Manitoba Scotties Tournament of Hearts where she was the alternate for the Kate Cameron rink.[23] The team finished 6–2 through the round robin and championship round. This qualified them for the semifinal, where they lost 8–4 to Beth Peterson.[24]

Personal life

Zacharias is currently a Kinesiology student at the University of Manitoba and is a fitness trainer at 9Round Kickboxing Fitness.[25] Her sister Emily Zacharias is the lead on her team and her father Sheldon is their coach.[2]

Grand Slam record

Event2021–222022–23
The NationalDNPQF
Tour ChallengeDNPQ
MastersDNPQF
Canadian OpenN/AQF
Players'QQ
Champions CupDNPQF

Year-by-year statistics

YearTeamPositionEventFinishRecordPct.
2016ZachariasSkipManitoba Juniors3rd6–3[26]
2016Zacharias (ACC)SkipManitoba STOHT12th1–6[27]
2016Manitoba (Zacharias)SkipU18 International1st7–0[28]
2017ZachariasSkipManitoba Juniors3rd6–3[29]
2017Manitoba (Zacharias)SkipCanadian U186th4–463[30]
2018ZachariasSkipManitoba Juniors3rd7–2[31]
2018Zacharias (ACC)SkipManitoba STOHT5th4–3[32]
2019ZachariasSkipManitoba Juniors1st9–1[33]
2019Manitoba (Zacharias)SkipCanadian Juniors5th6–477[34]
2020ZachariasSkipManitoba Juniors1st9–0[35]
2020Manitoba (Zacharias)SkipCanadian Juniors1st11–085[36]
2020Canada (Zacharias)SkipWorld Juniors1st9–280[37]
2021Wild Card #2 (Zacharias)Skip2021 STOHT12th3–568[38]
2021ZachariasSkipCOCT – PreT5th4–477[39]
2022Zacharias (ACC)SkipManitoba STOH1st7–2[40]
2022Manitoba (Zacharias)Skip2022 STOH7th5–475[41]
2023Jones (SVCC/ACC)SecondManitoba STOH1st9–0[42]
2023Manitoba (Jones)Second2023 STOH2nd10–282[43]
Scotties Tournament of Hearts Totals18–1176

Teams

Season Skip Third Second Lead
2015–16[44] Mackenzie Zacharias Jenessa Rutter
2016–17 Mackenzie Zacharias Morgan Reimer Emily Zacharias Jenessa Rutter
2017–18 Mackenzie Zacharias Emily Zacharias Ashley Groff
2018–19 Mackenzie Zacharias Emily Zacharias Caitlyn Labossiere
2019–20 Mackenzie Zacharias Emily Zacharias Lauren Lenentine
2020–21 Mackenzie Zacharias Karlee Burgess Emily Zacharias Lauren Lenentine
2021–22Mackenzie Zacharias Karlee Burgess Emily Zacharias Lauren Lenentine
2022–23Karlee Burgess Mackenzie Zacharias Emily Zacharias/Lauren Lenentine

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mackenzie Zacharias Profile. Curling Canada. August 1, 2020. August 30, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190830184124/https://www.curling.ca/scoreboard/#!/competitions/6239/teams/25971/team_athletes/25971-fourth-9834. live.
  2. Web site: 2021 Scotties Tournament of Hearts Media Guide. Curling Canada. February 16, 2021. February 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210215205122/https://www.curling.ca/files/2021/02/2021-Scotties-Tournament-of-Hearts-media-guide-1.pdf. live.
  3. Web site: 2016 U18 International Curling Championships. CurlingZone. August 1, 2020. October 19, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211019004630/https://www.curlingzone.com/event.php?view=Team&eventid=4264&teamid=96478&profileid=. live.
  4. News: Three wild-card teams added to Scotties, Brier. TSN. January 13, 2021. February 27, 2021. February 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210209190121/https://www.tsn.ca/curling-canada-adds-three-wild-card-teams-to-field-for-the-scotties-and-brier-1.1576766. live.
  5. Web site: 2019–20 CTRS Standings. Curling Canada. February 27, 2021. February 22, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210222215056/https://www.curling.ca/team-canada/canadian-team-ranking-system/2019-2020-ctrs-standings-women/. live.
  6. News: Wild Card teams set!. Curling Canada. February 1, 2021. February 27, 2021. February 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210208225930/https://www.curling.ca/blog/2021/02/01/wild-card-teams-set/. live.
  7. Web site: Scotties Tournament of Hearts: Scores, standings, schedule. Sportsnet. February 27, 2021. March 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210302081230/https://www.sportsnet.ca/scotties-tournament-hearts-scores-standings-schedule-results-2021-bubble/. live.
  8. News: Weagle/Epping clinch!. Curling Canada. September 20, 2021. February 21, 2022.
  9. News: 2021 Trials proceess revised. Curling Canada. February 4, 2021. February 21, 2022.
  10. News: Still in the chase!. Curling Canada. October 29, 2021. February 21, 2022.
  11. News: Qualified!. Curling Canada. October 30, 2021. February 21, 2022.
  12. News: Zacharias and Wiebe win Manitoba tour titles. thecurler. November 28, 2021. February 21, 2022.
  13. News: Team Zacharias Advances to Provincial Scotties Final. PembinaValley. Clayton Dreger. December 18, 2021. February 21, 2022.
  14. News: Mackenzie Zacharias to represent Manitoba at Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Sportsnet. Jonathan Brazeau. December 19, 2021. February 21, 2022.
  15. Web site: 2022 Scotties Tournament of Hearts: Standings, schedule and results. Sportsnet. January 28, 2022. February 21, 2022.
  16. News: Playoff quest realized!. Curling Canada. February 4, 2022. February 21, 2022.
  17. News: Jennifer Jones announces the new curling team she will join. CTV News Winnipeg. March 17, 2022. June 21, 2022.
  18. News: Jones edges Homan to capture Saville Shoot-Out, first win with new team. TSN. September 11, 2022. July 22, 2023.
  19. News: Jennifer Jones, Reid Carruthers win PointsBet curling titles. CBC Sports. September 25, 2022. July 22, 2023.
  20. News: Jennifer Jones returns to Canadian women's curling championship in Manitoba colours. CTV News Winnipeg. January 30, 2023. July 22, 2023.
  21. News: Team Einarson use five-ender to crush Manitoba's Jones, win fourth straight Scotties. TSN. February 27, 2023. July 22, 2023.
  22. News: M. Zacharias taking "step back" from Team Jones next season. TSN. April 10, 2023. July 22, 2023.
  23. Web site: 2024 Scotties Tournament of Hearts presented by Rocky Mountain Equipment – Team Cameron. Curl Manitoba. January 31, 2024.
  24. News: Lawes, Peterson, Cameron advance to Scotties Playoffs. Curl Manitoba. January 27, 2024. January 31, 2024.
  25. Web site: 2022 Scotties Tournament of Hearts Media Guide. Curling Canada. January 26, 2022.
  26. Web site: Zacharias 6–1 at 2016 Manitoba Canola Junior Women's . CurlingZone . February 22, 2021 . October 19, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211019004630/https://www.curlingzone.com/event.php?view=Team&eventid=4132&teamid=94050&profileid= . live .
  27. Web site: Zacharias 1–6 at 2016 Manitoba Scotties . CurlingZone . February 22, 2021 . October 19, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211019004630/https://www.curlingzone.com/event.php?view=Team&eventid=4078&teamid=94734&profileid= . live .
  28. Web site: Zacharias 5–0 at 2016 Optimist U18 Women's International . CurlingZone . February 22, 2021 . October 19, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211019004630/https://www.curlingzone.com/event.php?view=Team&eventid=4264&teamid=96478&profileid= . live .
  29. Web site: Zacharias 6–1 at 2017 Manitoba Canola Junior Women . CurlingZone . February 22, 2021 . October 19, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211019004632/https://www.curlingzone.com/event.php?view=Team&eventid=4602&teamid=105508&profileid= . live .
  30. Web site: 2017 Canadian U18 Girls Curling Championship: Reports: Cumulative Statistics By Team . Curling Canada . February 22, 2021 . August 30, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190830184124/https://www.curling.ca/scoreboard/#!/competitions/2393/reports/cumulative_statistics_by_team/12962/draws/9836 . live .
  31. Web site: Zacharias 6–1 at 2018 Manitoba Canola Junior Women's Provincials . CurlingZone . February 22, 2021 . October 19, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211019004654/https://www.curlingzone.com/event.php?view=Team&eventid=5102&teamid=117524&profileid= . live .
  32. Web site: Zacharias 4–3 at 2018 Manitoba Scotties . CurlingZone . February 22, 2021 . October 19, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211019004632/https://www.curlingzone.com/event.php?view=Team&eventid=5132&teamid=117992&profileid= . live .
  33. Web site: CHAMPION: Zacharias Wins 2019 Manitoba Canola Junior Provincials . CurlingZone . February 22, 2021 . October 19, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211019004632/https://www.curlingzone.com/event.php?view=Team&eventid=5718&teamid=130612&profileid= . live .
  34. Web site: 2019 New Holland Canadian Juniors—Women: Reports: Cumulative Statistics By Team . Curling Canada . February 22, 2021 . August 30, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190830184124/https://www.curling.ca/scoreboard/#!/competitions/4391/reports/cumulative_statistics_by_team/21141/draws/16093 . live .
  35. Web site: CHAMPION: Zacharias Wins 2020 Manitoba Telus Junior Women's Provincials . CurlingZone . February 22, 2021 . October 19, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211019004657/https://www.curlingzone.com/event.php?view=Team&eventid=6334&teamid=143430&profileid= . live .
  36. Web site: 2020 New Holland Canadian Juniors—Women: Reports: Cumulative Statistics By Team . Curling Canada . February 22, 2021 . August 30, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190830184124/https://www.curling.ca/scoreboard/#!/competitions/6239/reports/cumulative_statistics_by_team/25971/draws/19861 . live .
  37. Web site: World Junior Curling Championships 2020: Women: Statistics . World Curling Federation . February 22, 2021 . October 19, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211019004635/http://results.worldcurling.org/Championship/PercentagesStatistics?tournamentId=664 . live .
  38. Web site: 2021 Scotties Tournament of Hearts: Reports: Cumulative Statistics By Team . Curling Canada . February 26, 2021 . August 30, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190830184124/https://www.curling.ca/scoreboard/#!/competitions/6777/reports/cumulative_statistics_by_team/29280/draws/22648 . live .
  39. Web site: 2021 Home Hardware Curling Pre-Trials – Women: Reports: Cumulative Statistics By Team . Curling Canada . October 31, 2021 . October 29, 2021.
  40. Web site: CHAMPION: Zacharias Wins Manitoba Scotties . CurlingZone . December 29, 2021.
  41. Web site: 2022 Scotties Tournament of Hearts: Reports: Cumulative Statistics By Team . Curling Canada . February 4, 2022 . February 3, 2022.
  42. Web site: 2023 Scotties Tournament of Hearts Presented by Rocky Mountain Equipment: Teams: Jones . CurlManitoba . January 30, 2023.
  43. Web site: 2023 Scotties Tournament of Hearts: Reports: Cumulative Statistics By Team . Curling Canada . February 27, 2023.
  44. Web site: Mackenzie Zacharias Past Teams. CurlingZone. August 1, 2020. October 19, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211019004635/https://www.curlingzone.com/player.php?playerid=31337&view=Teams#1. live.