INUVIK - Members of Team Karly King Simpson didn't arrive back to Inuvik Monday with a medal from the 2010 Optimist International Under 18 Curling Championships in Regina.

But they brought back plenty of great memories, including two exciting matches that could have resulted in wins if luck was on their side.

Members of Team Karly King Simpson pose for a group photo beside Canadian curling Olympic gold medallist Ben Hebert at the 2010 Optimist International Under 18 Curling Championships in Regina last week. From left, team members Carina McKay-Saturnino, Rayna Vittrekwa, Shannon Baetz and King Simpson. - photo courtesy of Marjorie Baetz

For King Simpson the experience of just being there as a member of the tournament's youngest team provided enough of a thrill. Playing against Saskatchewan, a team of much older players, was icing on the cake.

"They were really nice to us during the game and after when we shook hands they gave us hugs," she said. "It made us feel good even though they beat us by a lot."

King Simpson, the team's 13-year-old skip is the squad's oldest member, while teammates Carina McKay- Saturnino, Shannon Baetz and Rayna Vittrekwa are all 12 years old.

King Simpson said members of the Saskatchewan team, who also happen to coach curlers in their early teens, made a point of telling the Inuvik girls that they played well beyond their years. It was a sentiment the foursome heard from other players, fans and coaches throughout the championship.

The event ran from March 30 to April 4 at the 12-rink Callie Curling Club. It boasted 12 male and 12 female team divisions, representing Canada, the US as well as Japan. Though the girls lost each of their seven games, they came within one point of beating both Pennsylvania and Quebec - losing to the latter in an extra end.

"It was discouraging," said King Simpson. But she added her team played better than they expected.

Baetz agreed, adding she enjoyed every aspect of the experience and figured she became a much better curler for it.

The team qualified for the international spectacle by placing second in the territorials last December.

Competition was so serious at the Optimist that the Yukon girls' team, which ended up winning gold, brought along a sports psychologist.

Baetz's mom Marjorie made the trip with the gang and said she had butterflies in her stomach throughout the whole event. After all was said and done, she couldn't have been prouder.

"The fact that they competed so hard and so well at a level they've never seen before is amazing to me," she said.

"They have a lot to be proud of."

She's also hoping that the experience might make them more driven to succeed next year, now that they've had a taste of elite competition.

The girls even got a group photo beside Canadian curling Olympic gold medallist Ben Hebert, who made an appearance at the event.

King Simpson said coach Nick Saturnino deserves a lot of credit for guiding the girls through a successful season. She also acknowledged the team's families for helping to fundraise for the trip.

She's hoping the team can reunite next year and make it back to the Optimist to chalk up a few wins.