THUNDER BAY, Ont. - A Laurier alum is a national champion once again.

Golden Hawks Hall of Famer Sarah Wilkes (BA '12, pictured far right) won her third Scotties Tournament of Hearts gold medal on Sunday night as the lead for Rachel Homan's Canada rink which defeated Manitoba's Kerri Einarson rink 6-1 in Thunder Bay.

A consecutive national title was secured after Team Homan went undefeated (8-0) through pool play before defeating Team Einarson in the 1/2 page playoff. Einarson's semifinal win over Nova Scotia set up a rematch in the final.

The 34-year-old Wilkes from Toronto, Ont., who also teamed up with Emma Miskew and Tracy Fleury, will now represent Canada again at the world championships in South Korea from March 15-26 looking to defend its title from last year.

After a memorable career with the Golden Hawks, Wilkes won her first Scotties in 2019 while winning silver medals in 2015 and 2021 in nine tournament appearances overall.

She has recorded seven Grand Slam victories, played in three world championships, and a pan continental championship.

Wilkes was the fourth women's curler to enter the Golden Hawks Hall of Fame in 2018 as a member of the 2008-09, 2010-11, and 2011-12 CIS (U SPORTS) Championship squads. She was also a three-time CIS All-Canadian and twice represented Laurier internationally.

Interestingly, former teammate Danielle Inglis from the 2008-09 Laurier rink, skipped Team Ontario at this year's Scotties - although the two didn't face each other throughout the week-long event.

A dual-sport student-athlete, Wilkes also played on Laurier's women's softball team, winning a silver medal in 2008 before helping secure the program's only national title the following year.