SWEEPING TO SOCHI. USA Curling Media Kit

Transcription

1 SWEEPING TO SOCHI USA Curling Media Kit

2 CONTENTS WOMEN S TEAMS TRIALS // BROWN, ERIKA 4-5 // GEORGE, COURTNEY 6-7 // POTTER, CASSIE 8-9 // POTTINGER, ALLISON MEN S TEAMS TRIALS // CLARK, BRADY // FENSON, PETE // GEORGE, TYLER // MCCORMICK, HEATH // SHUSTER, JOHN ETC: // SCHEDULE: OLYMPIC TRIALS // OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION EVENT // SCHEDULE: OLYMPIC GAMES 28 // SCHEDULE: PARALYMPIC GAMES 29 // STORY LINES 30 // EVENT SCHEDULE 31 // FAST FACTS: TRIALS FIELD // OLYMPIC HISTORY 36 // PLACES TO CURL 37 // CURLING // TEAM USA, WHEELCHAIR CURLING About USA Curling The United States Curling Association (doing business as USA Curling) is the National Governing Body of the sport of curling in the United States and has its national office in Stevens Point, Wis. As the NGB for the sport of curling, the USCA strives to grow the sport and to win medals in world championships and Olympic Games. The USCA is a member of the World Curling Federation and the U.S. Olympic Committee. USA Curling s membership is around 16,000 curlers in more than 160 member clubs in 40 U.S. states. The association s growth has been significant since the 2002 Olympic Winter Games with an approximate 47 percent growth in membership.

3 MEDIA INFORMATION USA Curling athletes, coaches and High Performance staff members are available to media through the USA Curling Media & Communications office. To request availability or a media credential for any of our events, please contact: Terry Kolesar, director of communications: Office: , Ext. 202 Cell: terry.kolesar@usacurl.org USA Curling is active on social media platforms. Follow us on: Facebook: pages/usa-curling/ YouTube: USA Curling (( 3

4 Team Brown Team Brown (l-r): Erika Brown, Debbie McCormick, Jessica Schultz, and Ann Swisshelm. Dates Event Location Result Aug Fort Wayne Cashspiel Fort Wayne, Ind. 4-2, quarterfinals Sept. 6-9 StuSells Oakville Tankard Oakville, Ontario 5-1, semifinals Sept Saville Centre Edmonton, Alberta 3-3 Sept Shorty Jenkins Classic Brockville, Ontario 1-4 Oct Calgary Autumn Gold Classic Calgary, Alberta 1-3 Oct Stroud Sleeman Classic Stroud, Ontario 3-1, semifinals Oct. 30- Nov. 3 Masters of Curling Abbotsford, British Columbia 0-4 Nov U.S. Olympic Team Trials Fargo, N.D. 4 )) usacurl.org

5 Erika Brown Position: Skip Age: 40 Hometown: Madison, Wis. Resides: Oakville, Ontario Career: Physician assistant with McMaster Family Health Team Education: University of Wisconsin-Madison; Finch University of Health Sciences Curling start: 1980 Curling club: Oakville (Ontario) Family: Married; three sons 1998 Olympian (also on 1988 Olympic team at age 15 when curling was a demonstration sport) 7-time U.S. national champion (2013, 2010, 2004, 2002, 1999, 1996, 1995) 2-time world silver medalist (1999, 1996) 2000 U.S. mixed national champion 6-time U.S. junior national champion (1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1989, 1988) 2-time world junior silver medalist (1994, 1992) 1993 world junior bronze medalist USA Curling Athlete of the Year: 2013, 2004, 1994, 1989 USA Curling Team of the Year: 2013, 2004, U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 4th place 2006 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 3rd place 2002 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 2nd place 1998 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 1st place Debbie McCormick Position: Vice skip Age: 39 Hometown: Rio, Wis. Career: Curling supplies distributor with Goldline Education: Madison Area Technical College Curling start: Age 10 Curling club: Madison & Pardeeville (Wis.) Family: Married 3-time Olympian (2010, 2002, 1998) 8-time U.S. national champion (2013, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2003, 2001, 1996) 2003 world gold medalist 2-time world silver medalist (2006, 1996) 4-time U.S. junior national champion (1994, 1993, 1992, 1991) 2-time world junior silver medalist (1994, 1992) 1993 world junior bronze medalist USA Curling Athlete of the Year: 2006, 2003 USA Curling Team of the Year: 2013, U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 1st place 2006 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 2nd place 2002 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 1st place 1998 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 1st place Jessica Schultz Position: Second Age: 28 Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska Resides: Minneapolis, Minn. Career: Physical therapist assistant Education: Lake Superior College Curling start: Age 13 Curling club: St. Paul (Minn.) 2006 Olympian 3-time U.S. national champion (2013, 2011, 2005) 2005 world silver medalist USA Curling Team of the Year: 2013, U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 5th place 2006 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 1st place Ann Swisshelm Position: Lead Age: 45 Hometown: Middletown, Ohio Resides: Chicago Education: Drake University Curling start: Age 12 Curling club: Exmoor (Ill.) Family: Married 2002 Olympian 5-time U.S. national champion (2013, 2010, 2003, 2001, 1998) 2003 world gold medalist Frances Brodie Sportsmanship Award recipient at 2001 World Championships Ann Brown Sportsmanship Award recipient at 2008 Nationals) USA Curling Team of the Year: 2013, 2003 USA Curling Athlete of the Year: 2001 Ann has competed in 19 straight national championships, most recently winning in U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 2nd place 2006 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 2nd place 2002 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 1st place 1998 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 3rd place Coach: Bill Todhunter Team Twitter Team Facebook page: USA Curling (( 5

6 Team C. George Team George (l-r): Monica Walker, Amanda McLean, Aileen Sormunen, and Courtney George. Dates Event Location Result Aug Fort Wayne Summerspiel Fort Wayne, Ind. 4-3, semifinalists Sept. 5-8 StuSells Oakville Tankard Oakville, Ontario 2-3 Sept FSCC Early Cashspiel Blaine, Minn. 3-2 Sept KW Fall Classic Waterloo, Ontario 3-2, quarterfinals Oct. 4-6 St. Paul Cashspiel St. Paul, MN 3-2 Oct Atkins Curling Supplies Women s Classic Winnipeg, Manitoba 4-2, quarterfinals Oct. 31-Nov. 3 Royal LePage Women s Fall Classic Kemptville, Ontario 0-3 Nov U.S. Olympic Team Trials Fargo, N.D. Nov Molson Cashspiel Duluth, Minn. 6 )) usacurl.org

7 Courtney George Position: Skip Age: 27 Hometown: Duluth, Minn. Resides: St. Paul, Minn. Career: Currently working on a master s degree in occupational therapy at St. Catherine University with an internship at Woodwinds Hospital. Education: University of St. Thomas (undergraduate degree) Curling start: Age 10 Curling club: St. Paul (Minn.) 2006 Olympian (as alternate) 2005 world silver medalist (as alternate) 2-time U.S. junior national champion (2007, 2004) 2002 world junior gold medalist (as alternate) 2003 world junior silver medalist (as alternate) 2010 Olympic Team Trials: 3rd place 2006 Olympic Team Trials: 4th place Aileen Sormunen Position: Vice skip Age: 26 Hometown/resides: Duluth, Minn. Career: Commercial lines account executive at Liscomb-Hood- Mason Co., a Marsh & McLennan Agency Education: University of Minnesota-Duluth Curling start: Age 10 Curling club: Duluth (Minn.) 2-time U.S. junior national champion (2007, 2004) 2010 Olympic Team Trials: 5th place 2006 Olympic Team Trials: 4th place Monica Walker Position: Lead Age: 26 Hometown/Resides: Brighton, Mass. Career: Quality control associate with Biogen Idec Education: Boston University graduate; MBA candidate at Simmons College Curling start: Age 10 Club: Broomstones (Wayland, Mass.) 4 U.S. Nationals appearances (4th place in 2013) 4 U.S. Junior Nationals appearance 2007 World Junior Championships (alternate) Making first Olympic Team Trials appearance Jordan Moulton Position: Alternate Age: 26 Hometown: Highland Park, Ill. Resides: Minneapolis, Minn. Career: Director of operation, Magna Health & Fitness Education: Degrees in Russian, Spanish & economics from the University of Minnesota Curling start: 2002 Club: St. Paul, Minn. 5 U.S. Nationals appearances (4th place in 2013) Two-time U.S. Junior Nationals champion Making her second Olympic Team Trials appearance (bronze medalist in 2010 Olympic Trials) Recipient of the 2006 World Junior Sportsmanship Award Coach: Tom George Amanda McLean Position: Second Age: 25 Hometown: Duluth, Minn. Resides: St. Paul, Minn. Career: Civil Engineer at Metropolitan Council Environmental Services Education: Graduate of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Curling start: Age 9 Curling club: St. Paul (Minn.) 2004 U.S. junior national champion Member of Team USA at 2009 World University Games 2010 Olympic Team Trials: Bronze 2006 Olympic Team Trials: 4th place USA Curling (( 7

8 Team Potter Team Potter (l-r) Cassie Potter, Jamie Haskell, Jackie Lemke, and Stephanie Sambor. Dates Event Location Result Aug Fort Wayne Cashspiel Fort Wayne, Ind. 2-3 Sept The The Saville Centre Edmonton, Alberta 1-3 Sept FSCC Early Cashspiel Blaine, Minn. 6-1, runner-up Oct. 3-6 Prestige Hotel & Resorts Classic Vernon, British Columbia 2-3 Oct Atkins Curling Supplies Classic Winnipeg, Manitoba 2-3 Oct Bernick s Miller Lite Open Bemidji, Minn. 2-2 Nov U.S. Olympic Team Trials Fargo, N.D. 8 )) usacurl.org

9 Cassie Potter Position: Skip Age: 32 Hometown: Bemidji, Minn. Resides: St. Paul, Minn. Career: Minnesota Historical Society Education: Bemidji State University Curling start: Age 6 Curling club: St. Paul (Minn.) Family: Married; one daughter 2006 Olympian 2005 U.S. national champion 2005 world silver medalist 2-time U.S. junior national champion (2002, 2003) 2002 world junior gold medalist 2003 world junior silver medalist 2005 USA Curling Athlete of the Year USA Curling Team of the Year: 2005, 2002 Frances Brodie Award for Sportsmanship at 2005 Women s World Championship 2010 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 7th place 2006 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 1st place 2002 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 3rd place Jamie Haskell Position: Vice skip Age: 33 Hometown/Resides: Bemidji, Minn. Education: Bemidji State University Occupation: Works for First National Bank, Bemidji Curling start: Age 7 Curling club: Bemidji (Minn.) Family: Married 2006 Olympian 2005 U.S. national champion 2005 world silver medalist 2002 U.S. junior national champion 2002 world junior gold medalist 2008 U.S. mixed doubles national champion USA Curling Team of the Year: 2005, U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 7th place 2006 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 1st place 2002 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 3rd place Jackie Lemke Position: Second Age: 28 Hometown/resides: Medford, Wis. Career: High school English teacher Education: Bachelor s degree in English education and teaching English as a second language Curling start: 1993 Curling club: Medford (Wis.) Family: Married; one daughter 2006 U.S. junior national champion Competed in four women s national championships Competing in first Olympic Team Trials Stephanie Sambor Position: Lead Age: 29 Hometown: Minot, N.D. Resides: St. Paul, Minn. Career: Physical therapist Education: University of North Dakota Curling start: Age 18 Curling club: Minot (N.D.) Team USA, 2007 World University Games 2005 U.S. junior national champion Competing in her first Olympic Team Trials Coaches: Sandra McMakin USA Curling (( 9

10 Team Pottinger Team Pottinger (l-r): Allison Pottinger, Nicole Joraanstad, Natalie Nicholson, and Tabitha Peterson. Dates Event Location Result Aug Fort Wayne Cashspiel Fort Wayne, Ind. 3-3, quarterfinals Sept. 5-8 StuSells Oakville Tankard Oakville, Ontario 2-2 Sept KW Fall Classic Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario 3-2, quarterfinals Oct. 3-6 Prestige Hotels & Resorts Classic Vernon, British Columbia 4-3, quarterfinals Oct Valley First Crown Kamloops, British Columbia 6-0, champions Oct Bernick s Miller Lite Open Bemidji, Minn. 2-2 Nov U.S. Olympic Team Trials Fargo, N.D. Dec. 6-8 Madison Cashspiel Madison, Wis. Dec Iron Trail Motors Shootout Eveleth, Minn. 10 )) usacurl.org

11 Allison Pottinger Position: Skip Age: 40 Hometown: Brampton, Ontario Resides: Eden Prairie, Minn. Career: Consumer insights manager with General Mills Education: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Curling start: Age 11 Curling club: St. Paul (Minn.) Family: Married; two daughters 2010 Olympian 10-time U.S. national champion (USA Curling record) 2003 world gold medalist 3-time world silver medalist (2006, 1999, 1996) 2-time U.S. mixed national champion 1994 U.S. junior national champion 1994 world junior silver medalist USA Curling Team of the Year: 2003, 1999 USA Curling Athlete of the Year: 2012, U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 1st place 2006 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 2nd place 2002 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 2nd place Nicole Joraanstad Position: Vice skip Age: 32 Hometown: Kent, Wash. Resides: Verona, Wis. Career: Associate manager - Talent Selection & Retention with TDS Telecom Education: University of Wisconsin-Madison Curling start: Age 15 Curling club: Madison (Wis.) Family: Married; one daughter 2010 Olympian 7-time U.S. national champion (2012, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2004, 2002) 2006 world silver medalist 2-time U.S. junior national champion (2001, 2000) 2000 world junior bronze medalist 2007 USA Curling Athlete of the Year USA Curling Team of the Year: 2004, U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 1st place 2006 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 3rd place 2002 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 4th place Natalie Nicholson Position: Second Age: 37 Hometown/resides: Bemidji, Minn. Career: Nurse practitioner Education: University of North Dakota-Grand Forks Curling start: Age 17 Curling club: Bemidji (Minn.) Family: Married; two daughters 2010 Olympian 8-time U.S. national champion (2012, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2004, 2002, 2000) 2006 world silver medalist 2-time U.S. junior national chapmion (1997, 1995) 2009 USA Curling Athlete of the Year USA Curling Team of the Year: 2004, U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 1st place 2006 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 3rd place 2002 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 6th place 1998 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 6th place Tabitha Peterson Position: Lead Age: 24 Hometown/resides: Eagan, Minn. Career: Pharmacy graduate student Education: University of Minnesota Curling start: Age 11 Curling club: St. Paul (Minn.) 2012 U.S. national champion 2-time U.S. junior national champion (2010, 2009) 2010 world junior bronze medalist Team manager: Tracy Sachtjen (2010 Olympian, 2003 world champion) USA Curling (( 11

12 Team Clark Team Clark (l-r): Brady Clark, Sean Beighton, Darren Lehto, Philip Tilker, and Greg Persinger (back). Dates Event Location Result Sept. 5-8 StuSells Oakville Tankard Oakville, Ontario 2-2 Sept The The Saville Centre Edmonton, Alberta 3-3, quarterfinals Sept Cloverdale Cashspiel Surrey, British Columbia 2-3, quarterfinals Sept PointOptical Curling Classic Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 1-3 Oct. 4-7 Prestige Hotels & Resorts Curling Classic Vernon, British Columbia 6-3, runner-up Oct Valley First Crown of Curling Kamloops, British Columbia 4-2, quarterfinals Oct Cactus Pheasants Classic Brooks, Alberta 3-3 Nov U.S. Olympic Team Trials Fargo, N.D. Nov. 29-Dec. 1 Seattle Cashspiel Seattle, Wash. 12 )) usacurl.org

13 Brady Clark Position: Skip Age: 36 Hometown: Grand Forks, N.D. Resides: Lynnwood, Wash. Career: Senior business analyst with Liberty Mutual Family: Married to Cristin; one son, Sean Curling start: Age 12 Curling club: Granite (Seattle) 2013 U.S. men s national champion Nine men s national championship appearances Nine-time U.S. Mixed National champion Three-time U.S. Mixed Doubles National champion Competed in 2010 and 2006 Olympic Team Trials Competed in five U.S. Junior Nationals Two-time USA Curling Team of the Year (2012, 2009) 2013 USA Curling Male Athlete of the Year Sean Beighton Position: Vice skip Age: 24 Hometown/Resides: Seattle Career: Video co-producer/editor with Brashenomics Family: Single Curling start: Age 13 Curling club: Seattle (Granite) 2013 U.S. men s national champion 2010 U.S. junior national champion Runner-up at the 2010 Mixed Doubles National Championship 2012 U.S. Mixed National champion Philip Tilker Position: Second Age: 36 Hometown: Bracebridge, Ontario Resides: Seattle Career: Software developer with Amazon.com Family: Married; one son Curling club: Granite (Seattle) 2013 U.S. men s national champion Three-time U.S. Mixed National champion Darren Lehto Position: Lead Age: 45 Hometown: Athabasca, Alberta Resides: Seattle, Wash. Career: Regional sales manager with RedBuilt Education: Civil engineering technologist degree Curling start: Age 16 Family: In a relationship Curling club: Granite (Seattle) 2013 U.S. men s national champion 2005 U.S. Mixed National champion Runner-up, 2003 Men s Nationals Greg Persinger Position: Alternate Age: 35 Hometown/Resides: Fairbanks, Alaska Career: Owner, Cold Stone Creamery, Fairbanks Family: Married; three children Curling start: 1992 Curling club: Fairbanks Competed in four men s national championships Competed in 2006 Olympic Team Trials Competed in six U.S. Junior Championships Competed twice in U.S. Mixed National Championship Competed in 1997 World Junior Championships (alternate) Competed in 2013 World Men s Championship (alternate) Coach: Ken Trask Team Facebook page: Team Twitter USA Curling (( 13

14 Team Fenson Team Fenson (l-r): Pete Fenson, Shawn Rojeski, Joe Polo, and Ryan Brunt. Dates Event Location Result Sept. 5-8 StuSells Oakville Tankard Oakville, Ontario 1-3 Sept Shorty Jenkins Classic Brockville, Ontario 1-4 Sept Point Optical Curling Classic Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 4-3 Oct StuSells Toronto Tankard Toronto, Ontario 0-3 Oct Bernick s Miller Lite Open Bemidji, Minn. 4-1, semifinals Nov U.S. Olympic Team Trials Fargo, N.D. 14 )) usacurl.org

15 Pete Fenson Position: Skip Age: 45 Hometown/Resides: Bemidji, Minn. Career: Owner/operator, Dave s Pizza Education: Bemidji State University Curling start: 1982 Curling club: Bemidji (Minn.) Family: Married; two sons 2006 Olympic bronze medalist 7-time national champion (2011, 2010, 2006, 2005, 2003, 1994, 1993) 1993 world bronze medalist 3-time USA Curling Athlete of the Year (2011, 2005, 2003) 2006 U.S. Olympic Committee Team of the Year USA Curling Team of the Year: 2006 Competing in his 20th men s national championship Shawn Rojeski Position: Vice skip Age: 41 Hometown/Resides: Chisholm, Minn. Career: Corporate quality manager with Lakehead Constructors Education: Bemidji State University Curling start: 1984 Curling club: Hibbing (Minn.) 2006 Olympic bronze medalist 5-time national champion (2011, 2010, 2006, 2005, 2003) 2006 USA Curling Athlete of the Year 2006 U.S. Olympic Committee Team of the Year USA Curling Team of the Year: time U.S. junior champion 1991 world junior bronze medalist Joe Polo Position: Second Age: 30 Hometown: Bemidji, Minn. Resides: Duluth, Minn. Career: Project manager with Lakehead Constructors Education: University of North Dakota-Grand Forks Curling start: 1992 Curling club: Duluth (Minn.) Family: Married 2006 Olympic bronze medalist 4-time national champion (2011, 2010, 2006, 2005) 2010 USA Curling Athlete of the Year 2006 U.S. Olympic Committee Team of the Year USA Curling Team of the Year: 2006 Ryan Brunt Position: Lead Age: 27 Hometown/Resides: Portage, Wis. Career: Substitute teacher Education: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Curling start: 1992 Curling club: Bemidji (Minn.) 2011 national champion Coach: Ed Lukowich USA Curling (( 15

16 Team T. George Team George (l-r): Colin Hufman, Rich Ruohonen, Chris Plys, and Tyler George. Dates Event Location Result Sept. 6-8 StuSells Oakville Tankard Oakville, Ontario 2-2 Sept Shorty Jenkins Classic Brockville, Ontario 4-2, quarterfinals Oct. 4-6 St. Paul Cashspiel St. Paul, Minn. 6-2, runner-up Oct Stu Sells Toronto Tankard Toronto, Ontario 1-3 Oct. 30-Nov. 3 Masters of Curling Abbotsford, British Columbia 0-4 Nov U.S. Olympic Team Trials Fargo, N.D. 16 )) usacurl.org

17 Tyler George Position: Skip, throws vice stones Age: 31 Hometown/Resides: Duluth, Minn. Career: Real estate agent Curling start: 1994 Curling club: Duluth (Minn.) 2010 U.S. national champion 2001 world junior bronze medalist as alternate 2010 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 2nd place Chris Plys Position: Vice skip, throws last rocks Age: 26 Hometown/Resides: Duluth (Minn.) Career: Manages family food commodity business Curling start: 1998 Curling club: Duluth (Minn.) 2010 Olympian 5-time U.S. junior national champion (2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2003) 2008 world junior gold medalist 2009 world junior bronze medalist 2007 World University Games gold medalist USA Curling Team of the Year: U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 8th place Rich Ruohonen Position: Second Age: 42 Hometown/Resides: Minneapolis, Minn. Career: Attorney Curling start: 1981 Curling club: St. Paul (Minn.) Education: Hamline University Family: Married; two children 2008 U.S. national champion 2010 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 5th place 2006 U.S. Olympic team Trials: 5th place Colin Hufman Position: Lead Age: 29 Hometown: Fairbanks, Alaska Resides: Seattle, Wash. Career: Professional curler Education: Graduated from Shoreline Community College in 2013 with plans to attend the University of Washington in the fall of 2014 Curling start: 1995 Curling club: Granite (Wash.) 2002 U.S. junior national champion Making 10th appearance at Men s Nationals 2010 U.S. Olympic Trials runner-up 2006 U.S. Olympic Trials bronze medalist Competed for Team USA at 2002 World Juniors USA Curling (( 17

18 Team mccormick Team McCormick (l-r): Heath McCormick, Bill Stopera, Martin Sather, and Dean Gemmell. Dates Event Location Result Sept. 5-8 StuSells Oakville Tankard Oakville, Ontario 2-2 Sept Point Optical Classic Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 2-3 Oct. 4-6 St. Paul Cashspiel St. Paul, Minn. 1-4 Oct Stroud Sleeman Cashspiel Stroud, Ontario 5-3, runner-up Oct Huron ReproGraphics Oil Heritage Classic Sarnia, Ontario 3-2, quarterfinals Nov U.S. Olympic Team Trials Fargo, N.D. 18 )) usacurl.org

19 Heath McCormick Position: Skip Age: 37 Hometown: Lansing, Mich. Resides: Sarnia, Ontario Career: Insurance broker/real estate investor Education: University of Western Ontario Curling start: 1992 Curling club: Sarnia CC Family: Married; two daughters 2013 Continental Cup champion 2012 U.S. national champion Competed in several national events in Canada (1996 Juniors, 2004 Mixed) Bill Stopera Position: Vice skip Age: 45 Hometown: Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. Career: Insurance broker Education: Northeastern University Curling start: 1977 Curling club: Ardsley (N.Y.) Family: Married; one son, one daughter 2013 Continental Cup champion 2012 U.S. national champion Dean Gemmell Position: Lead Age: 46 Hometown: Niagara Falls, Ontario Resides: Short Hills, N.J. Career: Writer Education: McGill University Curling start: 1978 Curling club: Plainfield (N.J.) Family: Two children 2013 Continental Cup champion 2012 U.S. national champion Competed in 1988 Canadian National Championship (The Brier) 2007 bronze medalist, U.S. Mixed National Championship Coach: Jake Higgs Martin Sather Position: Second Age: 30 Hometown: Fairbanks, Alaska Resides: Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y. Career: Jazz musician Education: Master s degree in jazz studies Curling start: 1992 Curling club: Ardsley 2013 Continental Cup champion 2012 U.S. national champion 2002 U.S. junior national champion USA Curling (( 19

20 Team Shuster Team Shuster (l-r): John Shuster, Jeff Isaacson, Jared Zezel, and John Landsteiner. Dates Event Location Result Sept The The Saville Centre Edmonton, Alberta 5-3, semifinals Sept PointOptical Curling Classic Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 1-3 Oct. 4-6 St. Paul Cashspiel St. Paul, Minn. 5-2, semifinals Oct Canad Inns Prairie Classic Portage la Prairie, Manitoba 4-3 Oct Bernick s Miller Lite Open Bemidji, Minn. 5-1, runner-up Nov. 1-3 Courtesy Freight Superspiel Thunder Bay, Ontario Nov U.S. Olympic Team Trials Fargo, N.D. 20 )) usacurl.org

21 John Shuster Position: Skip Age: 31 Hometown/Resides: Duluth, Minn. Career: Manager at Pickwick Restaurant & Pub Education: Bachelor s of business administration-marketing from the University of Minnesota-Duluth Curling start: 1997 Curling club: Duluth (Minn.) Family: Married; one son Member of 2010 and 2006 Olympic teams 2006 Olympic bronze medalist 4-time national champion (2009, 2006, 2005, 2003) 2009 USA Curling Athlete of the Year 2007 World University Games gold medalist 2006 U.S. Olympic Committee Team of the Year 2006 USA Curling Team of the Year 2004 U.S. junior national champion Jeff Isaacson Position: Vice skip Age: 30 Hometown/Resides: Gilbert, Minn. Career: Science teacher Education: Master s degree from the University of Wisconsin- Superior; Bachelor s degree from Bemidji State University Curling start: 1996 Curling club: Duluth (Minn.) & Curl Mesabi (Minn.) Member of 2010 Olympic team 2009 U.S. national champion 2007 World University Games gold medalist 2005 U.S. junior national champion Jared Zezel Position: Second Age: 22 Hometown/Resides: Hibbing, Minn. Career: Student at Bemidji State University Curling start: Curling club: Bemidji (Minn.) Bronze medalist at 2013 and 2012 U.S. National Championships 2011 U.S. junior national John Landsteiner Position: Lead Age: 23 Hometown: Mapleton, Minn. Resides: Duluth, Minn. Career: Employed with Lake Superior Consulting Education: Civil engineering degree, University of Minnesota-Duluth Curling start: 2000 Curling club: Duluth (Minn.) Bronze medalist at 2013 and 2012 U.S. National Championships 3-time Minnesota state high school champion Played for Team USA at 2011 World Juniors (alternate) Coach: Tim Muller USA Curling (( 21

22 Team USA Team USA (l-r): Patrick McDonald, David Palmer, Jimmy Joseph, Penny Greely, and Meghan Lino. Dates Event Location Result Sept Danish International Denmark 6th place Oct Halloween Spiel Madison, Wis. Nov. 9 Wauwatosa Stick Spiel Wauwatosa, Wis. Nov. 28-Dec. 1 Cathy Kerr Memorial Wheelchair Spiel Ottawa, Ontario Dec. 6-8 U.S. Open Wheelchair Spiel Utica, N.Y. March Paralympic Winter Games Sochi, Russia 22 )) usacurl.org

23 Patrick McDonald Position: Skip Age: 46 Hometown: Orangevale, Calif. Resides: Madison, Wis. Military: U.S. Army veteran Curling start: 2007 Curling club: Madison (Wis.) Family: Married; one son, one daughter Member of 2010 Paralympic wheelchair curling team Competed in three world championships: 2013 (4th), 2012 (5th), 2009 (4th) Gold medal Kathy Kerr Open, Ottawa, Canada Bronze medal Kingross Invitational, Scotland Facts: McDonald is a U.S. Army veteran who lost the use of his legs when the armored personnel carrier he was riding in rolled on the way back from patrol in Korea. McDonald is active in adaptive sports, playing golf, bowling and kayaking in addition to wheelchair curling. McDonald hopes to win a medal at both the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games. David Palmer Position: Vice skip Age: 52 Hometown: Marlboro, Mass. Resides: Mashpee, Mass. Career: Employed with Mashpee Public Schools Family: Married; three children Curling start: 2009 Curling club: Cape Cod, Mass. Member of Team USA at World Wheelchair Championship in 2013 (4th) and 2012 (5th) James Jimmy Jam Joseph Position: Second Age: 51 Hometown/Resides: New Hartford, N.Y. Family: Married; one daughter Curling start: 2003 Curling club: Utica, N.Y. Member of U.S. Paralympic team in 2010 (4th) and 2006 (8th) Member of Team USA at seven world wheelchair championships Bronze medalist, 2008 world wheelchair championship (USA s first and lone medal at either a world championship or Paralympic Games) Penny Greely Position: Lead Age: 42 Hometown/Resides: Green Bay, Wis. Career: Case worker with Brown County Family: Married; one son Curling start: 2010 Curling club: Green Bay, Wis. Member of Team USA at three world wheelchair championships Member of 2004 U.S. Paralympic team (bronze medal, sitting volleyball) Meghan Lino Position: Alternate Age: 29 Hometown/Resides: East Falmouth, Mass. Curling start: 2009 Curling club: Cape Cod, Mass. Member of Team USA at 2013 World Wheelchair Championship (4th) Coach: Steve Brown (Madison, Wis.) Assistant Coach: Rusty Schieber (Portage, Wis.) Team Leader: Marc Deperno (Utica, N.Y.) Camp dates: Oct , Madison, Wis. Dec. 3-5, Utica, N.Y. Jan. 2-5, Madison, Wis. Jan , Cape Cod, Mass. Feb. 6-9, Utica, N.Y. (tentative) Organized wheelchair curling in the United States began in the 1990s in Seattle. Wheelchair curling debuted as a Paralympic medal sport in 2006 in Torino, Italy, and will mark its third appearance in 2014 in Sochi. The U.S. has yet to medal at the Paralympics, after losing a heart-breaking bronze-medal game in 2010 in Vancouver. The discipline debuted a world championship in The U.S. won its first and only medal in 2008 (bronze). Canada is currently the defending Paralympic as well as world champion. Teams for wheelchair curling are mixed composed of men and women. USA Curling (( 23

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25 Nine teams head to Fargo for Olympic Team Trials The 2014 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Curling get underway on Saturday, Nov. 9, with an opening reception. The first round of action will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, as the five men s teams take the ice. The five competing teams feature a plethora of Olympians and national champions, including 2006 Olympic bronze medalist Pete Fenson (Bemidji, Minn.) and two-time Olympian John Shuster (Duluth, Minn.). Reigning national champion Brady Clark (Lynnwood, Wash.), 2012 national champion Heath McCormick (Sarnia, Ontario) and 2010 national champion Tyler George (Duluth, Minn.) skip the remaining teams in contention for the possibility for the chance to represent the United States at the upcoming Olympic Winter Games. The women s competition begins on Monday night at 7 p.m. with four teams competing, which also includes a field of Olympians. Reigning national champion and 1998 Olympian Erika Brown (Oakville, Ontario) comes in with a target on her back after a fourth-place showing at the 2013 World Women s Championship national champion and 2010 Olympian Allison Pottinger (Eden Prairie, Minn.), 2006 Olympian Cassie Potter (St. Paul, Minn.) and 2006 Olympian Courtney George (St. Paul, Minn.) round out the women s field. The men s and women s teams will compete in a double round robin with the top two teams moving on to the playoffs. Tiebreaker game will be played, if necessary, to determine the playoff teams. The playoff format will be a best two-out-ofthree competition with the winning teams being nominated for approval by the United States Olympic Committee to compete in the 2014 Olympic Winter Games as members of Team USA. The men, of course, still have to earn their spot in Sochi and will take care of business at the Olympic Qualification Event Dec in FÜssen, Sochi (See Pages 26-27). Teammates Heath McCormick (left) and Dean Gemmell won the national title in Courtney George (left) moved up to the skip position in 2012 and led her team to a runner-up finish at the 2013 National Championships. Young Minnesotans John Landsteiner (left) and Jared Zezel will make their first appearance at the Olympic Team Trials. USA Curling (( 25

26 Olympic Qualification Event The U.S. men came up a few points short of a direct qualification berth for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games at the conclusion of the 2013 World Men s Championship in April. Accumulated points, based on final finish, from the 2012 and 2013 world championships were used to award the first seven berths to the Olympic Games. Russia, as host, earns an automatic spot. Countries qualified to Sochi already include (based on ranking): Canada, Sweden, Scotland (represents Great Britain at Olympics), Norway, Denmark, China, Switzerland, and Russia (host). Eight countires will be vying for the final two berths to the Olympic Games at the Olympic Qualification Event, Dec , in FÜssen, Germany. Those countries include the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, and the U.S. The men s team that wins the U.S. Olympic Team Trials will move on to the OQE to earn the U.S. its berth for the Olympic Games. On the women s side, the U.S. ladies are qualified for the Olympic Games. The eight teams qualified so far include (based on ranking): Sweden, Switzerland, Scotland, Canada, U.S., Russia, Denmark, and Korea. Seven countries will be competing for the final two spots: Germany, Japan, China, Italy, Latvia, the Czech Republic, and Norway. The competition schedule for the event is featured on the next page. Teams will play in a single round robin with the top three countries advancing to the playoffs. The No. 1 team will play the No. 2 ranked team with the winner earning an Olympic spot. The loser will play the No. 3 ranked team with the winning side earning the final Olympic berth. Michigan native Heath McCormick (left) won the 2012 National Championships and clinched a berth for his team in the Trials. 26 )) usacurl.org

27 2013 OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION EVENT BLZ Arena, Fuessen, Germany, December Jul-13 Training Day Tuesday, 10 December 2013 Date Time Sheet A Sheet B Sheet C Sheet D 08:00-09:00 M NZL JPN KOR FIN 09:45-10:45 M CZE GER FRA USA Tuesday 11:00-11:20 w/m TEAM MEETING BLZ Arena Fuessen 10 Dec. 11:45-12:45 w jpn lat ita X 13:30-14:30 w chn ger cze nor NOTE: The Tuesday training sessions will be 15 minutes on each sheet moving from A to B to C to D. The Umpires will control the sessions and indicate the time that the teams change sheets. Date Time Session Sheet A Sheet B Sheet C Sheet D Monday 9 Dec. Tuesday 10 Dec. Wednesday 11 Dec. Thursday 12 Dec. Friday 13 Dec. Saturday 14 Dec. Sunday 15 Dec. Monday 16 Dec. Arrival of the teams 19:30-20:30 w/m Welcome Reception 08:00-10:45 M Team Training (see enclosed schedule) 11:00-11:20 w/m Team Meeting for all teams (BLZ Arena - Fuessen) 11:45-14:30 w Team Training (see enclosed schedule) 16:00 M1 KOR - JPN NZL - FIN USA - CZE GER - FRA 20:00 w1 ita - lat nor - cze ger - chn Bye - jpn 08:00 M2 NZL - USA GER - KOR FRA - JPN FIN - CZE 12:00 w2 ger - cze jpn - ita lat - nor Bye - chn 16:00 M3 FIN - KOR USA - FRA CZE - GER NZL - JPN 20:00 w3 jpn - nor lat - ger chn - cze Bye - ita 09:00 M4 CZE - FRA FIN - JPN NZL - KOR USA - GER 14:00 w4 Bye - ger chn - nor jpn - lat cze - ita 19:00 M5 GER - NZL KOR - CZE JPN - USA FRA - FIN 08:00 w5 Bye - cze ger - jpn nor - ita lat - chn 12:00 M6 JPN - CZE FRA - NZL GER - FIN KOR - USA 16:00 w6 Bye - lat ita - chn cze - jpn nor - ger 20:00 M7 USA - FIN JPN - GER KOR - FRA CZE - NZL 08:00 w7 chn - jpn cze - lat ita - ger Bye - nor 12:00 w/m Tie-breaker Games (if required) 16:00 w/m Tie-breaker Games (if required) 20:00 M Men - 1 v 2 (winner qualifies) 08:30 w Women - 1 v 2 (winner qualifies) 12:30 M Men - Loser (1 v 2) v 3 (winner qualifies) 16:30 w Women - Loser (1 v 2) v 3 (winner qualifies) 20:30 w/m Farewell Banquet Departure of the Teams Safe Journey Home USA Curling (( 27

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29 USA Curling (( 29

30 Other storylines This October we will be making curling ice in Honolulu for a celebrity curling competition. The event is being backed by American Savings Bank with profits going to the Kapiolani Hospital for Women and Children in Honolulu and USA Curling. The curling fundraiser will take place Oct. 17 at The Ice Palace in Honolulu and feature 2010 Olympians Tracy Sachtjen and John Benton. Two sets of rocks have been purchased and will stay in Hawaii to help in the formation of a curling club. The 2014 World Financial Group Continental Cup will be staged in Las Vegas Jan , 2014, at the 9,500-seat Orleans Arena, home to hockey s Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL. This is the first time the event will be held outside of Canada, and first time that Las Vegas will host a curling event of this magnitude. The Orleans Arena will host the 10th edition of this unique international curling competition, which is similar to golf s Ryder Cup, and will take place just 19 days before the start of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. The teams representing the United States will be those that will compete for the U.S. at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. We will be planning an official Team USA sendoff party for the Olympic team on the closing weekend of the Cup. The Cup features six teams from North America competing against six teams representing Team World in traditional team competition, mixed doubles, singles and skins competitions during the four-day event. The inaugural event took place in 2002 in Regina, Saskatchewan. San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis returns as USA Curling s Honorary Team Captain for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. Davis plans to be in Sochi to cheer on Team USA. The sport of curling continues to flourish. USA Curling now has member clubs in 40 U.S. states (no member clubs at the moment in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Hawaii coming soon; see above story). Super Bowl 2014 We are proud and excited to be once again invited to be part of the Super Bowl Village. This time, we ll take the New York City/Hoboken, N.J., area by storm for Super Bowl XLVIII. We will have a street curling demonstration in Hoboken for about a month starting with the lead up to the Super Bowl on Feb. 2 and throughout the 2014 Olympic Winter Games (Feb. 7-23). 30 )) usacurl.org

31 Events Dates Sites 2014 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Curling Nov Scheels Arena, Fargo, N.D U.S. Mixed Doubles National Championship Dec. 4-8 Medford, Wis Olympic Qualification Event (U.S. men competing) Dec Fussen, Germany 2013 Winter World University Games Dec Trentino, Italy 2014 Nationals Challenge Round (Women) Jan. 8-12, 2014 Grafton, N.D Nationals Challenge Round (Men) Jan. 8-12, 2014 Blaine, Minn Continental Cup of Curling Jan , 2014 Orleans Arena, Las Vegas 2014 U.S. Senior Men s National Championship Jan , 2014 Portage, Wis U.S. Senior Men s National Championship Jan , 2014 Eau Claire, Wis U.S. Junior National Championships Jan. 25-Feb. 1, 2014 Seattle, Wash Olympic Winter Games Feb. 7-23, 2014 Sochi, Russia 2014 U.S. Club National Championships Feb , 2014 Two Harbors, Minn World Junior Championships Feb. 26-March 5, 2014 Flims, Switzerland 2014 U.S. National Championships March 1-8, 2014 IceWorks Skating Complex, Aston, Pa Paralympic Winter Games March 7-16, 2014 Sochi, Russia 2014 College National Championship March Blaine, Minn Ford World Women s Championship March 15-23, 2014 St. John, New Brunswick 2014 U.S. Mixed National Championship March 15-23, 2014 Wisconsin Rapids, Wis Men s World Championship March 29-April 6, 2014 Beijing, China 2014 World Mixed Doubles Championship April 22-29, 2014 Dumfries, Scotland 2014 World Senior Championships April 22-29, 2014 Dumfries, Scotland Future events: 2015 National Championships, Kalamazoo, Mich Junior National Championships, Devils Lake, N.D Winter World University Games, Grenada, Spain 2015 World Women s Championship, Sapporo, Japan 2016 Junior National Championships, Willmar, Minn Winter Olympic & Paralympic Games, Pyeongchang, South Korea USA Curling (( 31

32 FAST FACTS: Trials field The last (and only) time the U.S. women won the world championship: 2003 (Debbie McCormick). The last time the U.S. won a world championship medal was in 2006 (silver, Debbie McCormick). The last time the U.S. men won the world championship: 1978 (Bob Nichols). The last time the U.S. men won a world championship medal was in 2007 (bronze, Todd Birr). It is good to be named John: Every U.S. men s Olympic curling team since 1998 has included someone named John. (John Shuster, 2006 & 2010; John Gordon, 1998 & 2002; John Benton, 2010) Allison Pottinger (skip, Team Pottinger) holds the record for most U.S. national titles 10 (includes men s and women s Nationals only. Does not include other U.S. national events such as mixed, juniors, etc.) Olympians in the field: 16 Pete Fenson, 2006; John Shuster, 2010 & 2006; Shawn Rojeski, 2006; Joe Polo, 2006; Jeff Isaacson, 2010; Chris Plys, 2010; Allison Pottinger, 2010; Nicole Joraanstad, 2010; Natalie Nicholson, 2010; Erika Brown, 1998; Debbie McCormick, 1998, 2002, 2010; Ann Swisshelm, 2002; Jessica Schultz, 2006; Cassie Potter, 2006; Jamie Haskell, 2006; Courtney George, 2006 World champions in the field: 3 (Debbie McCormick, Team Brown; Allison Pottinger, Team Pottinger; Ann Swisshelm, Team Brown) Sisters Jamie (Johnson) Haskell (left) and Cassie (Johnson) Potter led Team USA at the 2006 Olympic Games in Torino. Along with teammates Jackie Lemke and Stephanie Sambor, the team finished second at the 2012 Nationals to earn a berth fot the 2014 Olympic Trials. 32 )) usacurl.org

33 FAST FACTS: Trials field Skips in the field who have won national titles previously: Pete Fenson (7): 2011, 2010, 2006, 2005, 2003 (as skip); 1994, 1993 (as vice skip) John Shuster: (4) 2009 (as skip); 2006, 2005, 2003 (as lead) Tyler George (1): 2010 (as lead) Heath McCormick (1): 2012 (as skip) Brady Clark (1): 2013 (as skip) Vice skips: Shawn Rojeski, Team Fenson (5): 2011, 2010, 2006, 2005 (as vice skip); 2003 (as second) Bill Stopera, Team McCormick (1): 2012 (as vice skip) Jeff Isaacson, Team Shuster (1): 2009 (as vice skip) Sean Beighton, Team Clark (1): 2013 (as vice skip) Seconds: Joe Polo, Team Fenson (4): 2011, 2010, 2006, 2005 (as second) Martin Sather, Team McCormick (1): 2012 (as second) Rich Ruohonen, Team George (1): 2008 (as vice skip) Philip Tilker, Team Clark (1): 2013 (as lead) Leads: Dean Gemmell, Team McCormick (1): 2012 Ryan Brunt, Team Fenson (1): 2011 Darren Lehto, Team Clark (1): 2013 (as second) Overall men s national titles (does not include juniors, mixed, etc.): 1. Pete Fenson (Team Fenson), 7 2. Shawn Rojeski (Team Fenson), 5 3. John Shuster (Team Shuster) & Joe Polo (Team Fenson), 4 Pete Fenson (left) led Team USA to its first ever Olympic medal in curling at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino. Fellow Olympic bronze medalists and current teammates Shawn Rojeski (bottom, l-r) and Joe Polo have represented the U.S. at three world championships since Torino (2011, 2010, 2006). USA Curling (( 33

34 FAST FACTS: Trials field Skips in the field who have won national titles previously: Allison Pottinger (10): 2012 (as skip); 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2003 (as vice skip); 2002, 1999 (as second); 1996 (as lead); 1995 (as alternate) Erika Brown (7): 2013, 2010 (as skip); 2004, 2002, 1999, 1996, 1995 (as vice skip) Cassie Potter (1): 2005 (as skip) Vice skips: Debbie McCormick, Team Brown (8): 2013, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2003 (as skip); 2001 (as vice skip); 1996 (as alternate) Nicole Joraanstad, Team Pottinger (7): 2012 (as vice skip); 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2004 (as second); 2002 (as alternate) Jamie Haskell, Team Potter (1): 2005 (as vice skip) Seconds: Natalie Nicholson, Team Pottinger (8): 2012 (as second); 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2004, 2002, 2000 (as lead) Jessica Schultz, Team Brown (3): 2013, 2011, 2005 (as second) Leads: Ann Swisshelm, Team Brown (5): 2013 (as lead); 2010, 2003 (as second); 2001, 1998 (as lead) Tabitha Peterson, Team Pottinger (1): 2012 Overall women s Nationals titles (does not include junior, mixed, etc.): 1. Allison Pottinger (Team Pottinger), Debbie McCormick (Team Brown) & Natalie Nicholson (Team Pottinger), 8 3. Nicole Joraanstad (Team Pottinger) & Erika Brown (Team Brown), 7 4. Ann Swisshelm (Team Brown), 5 5. Jessica Schultz (Team Brown), 3 Courtney George (left) was just 20 when she served as alternate for Team USA at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. Now leading her own team, George is the youngest skip in the 2014 Olympic Trials field at age )) usacurl.org

35 FAST FACTS: Trials field Athletes in the field who won junior national titles (21 and under): Erika Brown, Team Brown (6): 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1989 (as skip); 1988 (as vice skip) Debbie McCormick,Team Brown (4): 1994 (as vice skip); 1993, 1991 (as lead); 1992 (as alternate) Cassie Potter, Team Potter (2): 2003, 2002 (as skip) Natalie Nicholson, Team Pottinger (2): 1997, 1995 (as second) Nicole Joraanstad, Team Pottinger (2): 2001 (as skip); 2000 (as vice skip) Tabitha Peterson, Team Pottinger (2): 2010, 2009 (as vice skip) Aileen Sormunen, Team George (2): 2007, 2004 (as skip) Courtney George, Team George (2): 2007, 2004 (as vice skip) Jordan Moulton, Team George (2): 2007, 2006 (as lead) Jamie Haskell, Team Potter (1): 2002 (as vice skip) Chris Plys, Team George (5): 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 (as skip); 2003 (as alternate) Shawn Rojeski, Team Fenson (2): 1992, 1991 (as vice skip) Colin Hufman, Team George (1): 2002 (as vice skip) Martin Sather, Team McCormick (1): 2002 (as second) John Shuster, Team Shuster (1): 2004 (as skip) Jeff Isaacson, Team Shuster (1): 2005 (as second) Jared Zezel, Team Shuster (1): 2011 (as second) Sean Beighton, Team Clark (1): 2010 (as skip) Stephanie Sambor, Team Potter (1): 2005 (as lead) Jackie Lemke, Team Potter (1): 2006 (as second) Allison Pottinger, Team Pottinger (1): 1994 (as alternate) Amanda McLean, Team George (1): 2004 (as lead) Other national titles: Brady Clark, mixed championship (9): 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2002 (as skip); mixed doubles championship (3): 2012, 2011, 2009 (all as skip) Philip Tilker, mixed championship (3): 2011, 2010, 2011 (as second) Allison Pottinger, mixed championship (2): 1998, 1995 (as vice skip) Erika Brown, mixed championship (1): 2000 (as vice skip) Jamie Haskell, mixed doubles championship (1): 2008 (as skip) Sean Beighton, mixed championship (1): 2012 (as second) Darren Lehto, mixed championship (1): 2005 (as second) Other facts: Oldest male athlete in the field: Dean Gemmell, 46 Oldest female athlete in the field: Ann Swisshelm, 45 Youngest athletes in the field: Tabitha Peterson, 24, Team Pottinger, & Jared Zezel, 22, Team Shuster Youngest male skip: John Shuster, 30 Youngest female skip: Courtney George, 27 Average age of male athletes in field: 34 Average age of female athletes in field: 32 Family Ties Siblings: Tyler George (Team T. George) and Courtney George (Team C. George) Cassie Potter & Jamie Haskell (Team Potter) USA Curling (( 35

36 Olympic History The first Olympic demonstration was in 1924, in Chamonix, France, where men s teams from England, France and Sweden competed. England won the gold, and Sweden the silver. Games at this time were 18 ends long versus 10 today. This event was most recently recognized as the first time curling was an Olympic medal sport. However, the sport would not have full medal status again until the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan. Curling was next a demonstration sport in 1932, in Lake Placid, N.Y. Eight men s teams competed four from Canada and four from the United States. The U.S. teams came from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan and New York. Canada won the round robin competition, taking 12 games to the USA s four. Games were 16 ends long. After a long absence, curling returned to the Olympics as an official demonstration in 1988, in Calgary, Canada. For the first time, a women s competition was included. Canada won the women s event, followed by Sweden and Norway. On the men s side, Norway took the gold, followed by Switzerland and Canada. (Bronze medals were awarded to the team that lost in the playoffs to the eventual champion.) The U.S. men s and women s teams both finished fourth. Curling was again part of the Olympic demonstration sport program in 1992, in Albertville, France. This time, Germany won the women s gold, followed by Norway and Canada. A bronze medal game was held, with Canada defeating Denmark. Switzerland took the men s championship, with Norway earning the silver medal and the USA defeating Canada for the bronze medal. The USA s team included Bud Somerville, Mike Strum, Bill Strum and Tim Somerville, all from Superior, Wis. (The U.S. women failed to earn a berth in the Olympic competition in 1992.) In Salt Lake City in 2002, curling was a medal sport on the Olympic program for the third time. The U.S. men, led by Tim Somerville, finished seventh, while the women s team, skipped by Kari Erickson, missed a bronze medal by just a few rocks. The Pete Fenson rink based out of Bemidji, Minn., won U.S. curling s first Olympic medal when the team defeated Great Britain to win the bronze medal at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy. The U.S. women s team, led by Cassie Johnson, struggled in its opening games and finished eighth overall. Canada s Brad Gushue rink would capture the men s elusive gold medal defeating Finland, while the Anette Norberg team from Sweden added to its collection of medals by defeating Switzerland for the gold. In 2010 at the Olympic Games in Vancouver, 2006 Olympic bronze medalist John Shuster and three-time Olympian Debbie McCormick (1998, 2002, 2010) skipped their teams at the 5,000-seat Vancouver Olympic Center. It was a tough week as the teams battled through the round robin. Unfortunately, both would finish in 10th place and out of playoff contention. Canada s Kevin Martin rink would capture the men s gold over Norway s Thomas Ulsrud. On the women s side, Sweden s Anette Norberg rink came from behind to overtake Canada s Cheryl Bernard to repeat as women s Olympic champions. In the bronze-medal matches, Switzerland s Ralph Stoeckli outlasted Sweden s Niklas Edin in the men s game while China won its first Olympic medal in curling when Bingyu Wang defeated Switzerland s Mirjam Ott. Curling was officially a demonstration sport three times, but there were also domestic exhibitions (host country participants only) in 1948 (St. Moritz, Switzerland) and 1964 (Innsbruck, Austria). Team Tyler George grew its fan base after donning these memorable tiger uniforms at the 2013 National Championships. 36 )) usacurl.org

37 Places to Curl Curling opportunities exist for males and females of all age groups. Twenty-four-pound junior stones are available for younger children to use. The game has equal appeal as both a social outlet and a competitive sport. Recreational curling competitions, called bonspiels, are organized for men, women, couples, seniors and juniors. Local clubs have regular leagues for these same constituencies. Open events feature curlers of all ages and both genders competing in one competition. Curlers come from all walks of life, and value the special camaraderie integral to the sport. Curling is played in 40 states across the United States. It is a winter sport, but it is being played more and more in warmer climates with the growth of indoor ice facilities. There are approximately 16,000 curlers in the U.S., and 165 clubs across the U.S. Wisconsin has the largest concentration of curlers, with nearly 4,000, while the Grand National region along the East Coast now boasts close to 4,000 as well from its member clubs while Minnesota reports around 3,500. There also are substantial clubs in the Great Lakes region, Seattle and Fairbanks, Alaska, and even in Florida with the Panthers Curling Club in Coral Springs debuting in 2010, thanks to the TV expsoure the sport received on NBC during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The fastest growing areas in the past 10 years have been the Mountain Pacific region in the west and the Great Lakes region in the upper Midwest. California, a member of the MoPac region, now has five active curling clubs. Curling is mostly concentrated in countries with colder climates. Canada has the most curlers of all, with nearly 1.2 million of the estimated 1.5 million in the world. Only four other countries have more than 10,000 curlers Japan, Scotland, Switzerland and the USA. The 49 countries USA Curling s membership has grown 47 percent between 2002 and 2012 from 10,800 members to close to 16,000 with clubs now represented in 40 of 50 U.S. states. To find a U.S. club, visit Regional Curling Associations Alaska HI Wash. OR ID NV UT CA AZ MT M o u n t a i n P a c i f i c WY Colorado NM ND Dakota SD Nebraska Minn. MO KS A t - L a r g e OK AR Wisc. MI CT IA PA Illinois IN TN OH Great Lakes WV VA KY NC Grand National SC VT NH NY MA NJ DE MD ME RI MS AL GA TX LA FL USA Curling (( 37

38 INTRODUCTION TO CURLING What is curling? Curling is a team game, where all four team members efforts contribute directly to each shot. Teams can be composed of both sexes and all ages, and like golf, curling is a lifetime sport. A curler at any skill level, like a golfer, finds that his or her skills decline only gradually from about age 45 onward. A national class curler, like the pro golfer, realizes that once the physical aspects are mastered, the mental aspect of the game separates the good player from the champion. To continue with the golf analogy, it can be said that the curler who is at the height of his or her game has the same edge as the golfer who is sinking the key putts: great nerves, will to win, and mental toughness. Historical and Descriptive Notes It is generally agreed that curling was developed in Scotland in the 16th century. The climate in Scotland was colder then, and curling took place on the many marshes (since drained). Scottish farmers curled on the frozen marshes using channel stones, which were naturally smoothed by the water s action. The principles of the game were similar to the modern game, although there were many differences in rules and equipment. The spirit of curling evolved in the early centuries in Scotland. It is this spirit of honorable competition followed by egalitarian sociality that made curling a special game in curlers minds. An excerpt from The Spirit of Curling: Curlers play to win but never to humble their opponents. A true curler would prefer to lose rather than win unfairly... while the main object of the game is to determine the relative skill of the players, the spirit of the game demands good sportsmanship, kindly feeling, and honorable conduct. Scottish immigrants brought the game with them to North America, first to Canada around 1759, then to the United States around By 1855, curling clubs flourished in New York City, Detroit, Milwaukee and Portage, Wis. Curling in the rest of Europe developed in the 20th century. Two developments ensured that the modern game would be marked by a high degree of physical skill and mental toughness: 1. the standardization of the stone, and 2. indoor, refrigerated ice. The modern stone is round, and about 42 pounds. Curling is played, for the most part, on indoor, refrigerated ice, which helps ensure a fast, consistent and predictable playing surface. The Game A game is made up of 10 ends (like innings). An end consists of each team member shooting (delivering) two rocks, or stones, alternately with the opponent s player at the same position. When all 16 rocks have been delivered, the score for that end is determined. A 12-foot circle (the house ) is the scoring area. For each stone closer to the center of the circles (the tee) than any of the opponent s, one point is scored. The team scoring shoots first in the next end, giving the opponent the hammer, or last shot of that end. Teams will sometimes ignore taking a point to retain the next end s hammer. The sheet of ice (playing surface) is 16 5 wide and 150 feet long, set up to accommodate play in both directions. Most curling takes place in curling clubs, which commonly have two to six sheets of ice. Hockey arenas are also used as temporary curling rinks; they accommodate up to six sheets. All four players shoot two rocks per end, beginning with the player referred to as the lead. The second shoots next, and then the third, or vice skip. The skip usually shoots the last rocks, and calls the strategy for the game. The skip decides on shot selection, and reads the curl in the ice for the shooter. The shooter must be accurate in three functions: 1. Aim (at the broom) 2. Weight (velocity imparted to the stone) 3. Imparting the correct handle (curl) to each shot Shots are called either to stop at a certain point on the sheet ( draws or guards ) or to have enough weight to strike another rock out of play ( takeouts or hit and rolls ). Each running stone curls, or curves, as it proceeds down the ice based on the twist given the handle during the delivery. The amount of curl varies based on the ice surface and the speed of the rock. The curl allows for better control of the stone and also provides a means to shoot around guards. Sweeping with either a straw broom, hog hair or horse hair brush, or synthetic brush adds the element of fitness to curling because, to be effective, sweeping must be very vigorous. Sweeping slightly melts the ice, which reduces the friction between the running stone and the ice. The result is that the stone will curl less, and slide farther. Sweeping is called for when the stone has not been delivered firmly enough, and/or when the shot is aimed narrow, or inside the broom target. Sweeping can help a rock slide up to an additional 15 feet. Top teams control most shots by using aim and weight within the sweeping zone. 38 )) usacurl.org

39 Strategy is a major part of curling. Shots are played with an eye to the last rocks of each end, not simply placed at the center of the circles. The strategy can be rather complex. Innovations are constantly being made and adopted when the innovators win, similar to other sports where strategy and the game plan plays a major role. It is common for games between national-class teams to be very close, with both skips jockeying for the last shot in the last end. In curling, all four players of a team are involved in each of their team s shots. While the skip, or captain, holds his or her broom for a target and calls the strategy for the shooter, the other two players sweep the stone s path when deemed necessary. Sweeping clears the ice of any frost or debris that might slow the stone down or send it off course. Sweeping also polishes the ice, creating a thin layer of moisture that reduces friction and allows the rock to go farther and straighter (up to 15 feet farther with vigorous sweeping). The sweepers are in the best position to judge whether or not the delivered stone has enough momentum to reach its target, while the person in the house can best judge the line and call for sweeping if the stone is curling too much. Equipment Clothing: Loose fitting, several layers, sweaters, pants, kilts, caps. Matching uniforms for many competitions. Shoes: Special curling shoes are common but not mandatory. Shoes should grip the ice well for walking. Smooth soles are easy to clean to minimize dirt on the ice. For the delivery, extremely slippery surfaces such as Teflon are used on the sliding foot to generate a long, smooth-sliding follow through. Some sliders are built into shoes, while others are strapped on over the sole. Broom: Commercially manufactured for curling. The straw brooms, synthetic brushes, and short bristled brushes are all effective. Stones: Made of a rare, close and evenly grained granite quarried primarily on Scotland s Ailsa Craig, with handles attached. Standardized, weighing 42 pounds, and provided by the curling clubs. USA Curling (( 39