On August 9-14, USA Curling welcomed the nation’s top junior men’s and junior women’s curlers to the Chaska Curling Center in Chaska, Minn. for the 2021 U.S. Junior Curling National Championships.

Athletes from across the United States gathered in Chaska, forming fields of nine men’s teams and 12 women’s teams.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, athletes, staff, volunteers, and the local organizing committee’s commitment to adhering to COVID protocols allowed the Championships to run smoothly, concluding with the crowning of two Junior National Champions on Saturday, August 14th.

On the men’s side, Team Casper defeated Team Oldenburg in a game that came down to the final stone, resulting in an unblemished 8-0 record and the gold medal.

With the National Championship title, Team Casper (Daniel Casper, Ethan Sampson, Marius Kleinas, Samuel Strouse, and Coleman Thurston) will represent the United States at the 2022 World Junior Curling Championships in Jonkoping, Sweden.

On the women’s side, two pools of six teams completed round robins, advancing four teams to the semi-finals.

Remaining undefeated at the conclusion of pool play in Pool A, Team Strouse faced Team Gourianova in the National Championship final. In a tight game that came down to the last rock, Team Strouse maintained their unbeaten record and secured the gold medal, making them back-to-back U.S. Junior Women’s Curling National Champions.

Team Strouse (Delaney Strouse, Sydney Mullaney, Leah Yavarow, and Susan Dudt) will represent the United States at the 2022 World Junior-B Curling Championships to be held in Lohja, Finland. These Championships will serve as a World Qualification Event, where the top three teams will qualify to the World Junior Curling Championships.

USA Curling would like to congratulate all athletes on their resiliency throughout an unprecedented season.

“As I reflect on the past week, I’m incredibly grateful for everyone’s ability to come together,” said Director, Women’s National Team & Junior Curling, Jessica Schultz. “At the end of the week, memories were made, and we all have a story to tell.”

USA Curling is sponsored by Toyota, Goldline, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Brakebush, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), and Sitrin, and is partnered with IHG, Rock Solid Productions Inc., 12th End Sports Network, Laurie Artiss Ltd. – The Pin People, and United Airlines.