![]() Northern Ontario's John Epping (Photo: AMJ Shorty Jenkins Classic) defeated Switzerland's Yannick Schwaller 5-3 to go 8-0 and claim the AMJ Campbell Shorty Jenkins Classic. By Connor Simms, John Epping with Jake Horgan at third, Tanner Horgan and Ian McMillan on the front end remain perfect in playoff appearances to kick off the 2025-2026 season. In their first two events, Epping finished 3-2 in the Trentino World Cup, losing in the semi-finals to Switzerland's Yannick Schwaller. Last Weekend, they were in the Stu Sells Oakville Tankard, where they lost the quarterfinals to Minnesota's Korey Dropkin. They were in Cornwall, Ontario, at the AMJ Campbell Shorty Jenkins Classic this past weekend. Last season at this event. Epping missed the playoffs with a 3-2 round-robin record. This season, Epping finished 5-0 in the 20-team qualifying round. In their opening game, Epping defeated Manitoba's Matt Dunstone 4-2, then won 6-2 against Germany's Benny Kapp and 9-4 against Quebec's Julien Tremblay. Epping then won 6-5 against Ontario's Scott Howard, then won 6-3 against Ontario's Denis Cordick in their final qualifying round match. In the quarterfinals, they defeated China's Xiao Ming Xu 7-4, then in the semi-finals, they defeated Minnesota's Daniel Casper 4-3. This set up a rematch with Schwaller after losing to them in the semi-finals in Trentino, Italy. Epping started with the hammer due to their better round-robin record. In the first end, Epping was forced to their single point, making the hit and stick. Schwaller was forced to their single point, making a draw to the four-foot. In the third end, Epping made a double through a port for their single against two Schwaller stones. Scwaller was forced again to their single, making another draw to the four-foot to tie the game at two. A game of ones continued, after Epping just missed a lightweight takeout for a possible three points, settling for their single point. Epping finally found a switch on the scoreboard, stealing two after Schwaller came up heavy on a draw to the four-foot. Schwaller was forced to their single point in the seventh, making an open hit and stick. Epping grabbed the 5-3 victory in the eighth end. With this win, Epping grabbed 51.8 World-Ranking points, jumping Newfoundland and Labrador's Brad Gushue to #9 in the World. Ahead of them is Germany's Marc Muskatewitz by 1.3 points. On the women's side, Switzerland's Xenia Schwaller defeated Denmark's Madeline Dupont 8-5 in the final. Epping's next event is the AMJ Masters in London, Ontario, from September 23rd-28th. |