TICKETS FOR MEN’S & WOMEN’S NATIONALS IN DULUTH NOW ON SALE
Photo by: Bob Weder
[EDEN PRAIRIE, MN, September October 25, 2024] — Tickets are now available for the USA Curling Men’s & Women’s National Championships at the Duluth Entertainment & Convention Center in Duluth, MN. The event starts on January 27th and runs through February 2nd.
The winners will represent the United States at the 2025 World Men’s and World Women’s Championships, and will earn a berth in the 2026 Olympic Team Trials if they finish sixth or higher at those events.
Duluth native and Olympic Gold medalist John Shuster said, “I’m so excited to finally get a chance to compete for a National Championship in Duluth. I know the history of curling in the DECC Arena and look forward to trying to add our team to that history. In addition to our team, there will be a lot of Duluth-based talent on the ice. It should be an amazing atmosphere both on and off the ice."
Team Shuster (John Shuster, Chris Plys, Colin Hufman, Matt Hamilton, John Landsteiner) is the defending Men’s champion, while Team Peterson (Tabitha Peterson, Cory Thiesse, Vicky Persinger, Tara Peterson, Taylor Anderson-Heide) will look to capture the title they won in 2024.
Thiesse, a Duluth native, expressed her excitement about playing in her hometown.
“I’ve had the good fortune to curl all over the country and around the world, but competing for a national title right here at home is something I have always wanted to do. I’m very excited for the opportunity.”
Thiesse also won the 2023 World Mixed Doubles Championship with Korey Dropkin, a UM-D graduate who lives in Duluth. Dropkin lead his four-person team (Korey Dropkin, Andrew Stopera, Mark Fenner, Thomas Howell) at the Nationals. They finished second to Team Shuster in 2024.
Duluth-based Team Benson (Aileen Geving, Courtney Benson, Lexi Daly, Sara Olson) earned their berth in the Nationals at a Qualifier event held last week in Saint Paul, MN. They all bring strong curling resumes and extensive national championship experience.
USA Curling CEO Dean Gemmell added, “Not only will this event celebrate Duluth and its rich curling history, we’re working with the Minnesota Curling Association to make this a true Minnesota moment. Fans throughout the state will join the many enthusiasts from across the country who travel to see our nation’s best compete. We’re excited to make Duluth the focus of sports fans and the curling community.”
Men’s Teams
Team Shuster
(John Shuster, Chris Plys, Colin Hufman, Matt Hamilton, John Landsteiner)
Team Wendling
(Wes Wendling, Daniel Laufer, Nicholas Cenzalli, Shaheen Bassiri, Dylan Ciapka)
Team Dropkin
(Korey Dropkin, Andrew Stopera, Mark Fenner, Thomas Howell)
Team Casper
(Daniel Casper, Luc Violette, Ben Richardson, Aidan Oldenburg)
Team Dunnam
(Scott Dunnam, Cody Clouser, Lance Wheeler, Andy Dunnam)
Team Sinnett
(Chase Sinnett, Sam Strouse, Kevin Tuma, Connor Kauffman)
Women’s Teams
Team Peterson
(Tabitha Peterson, Cory Thiesse, Vicky Persinger, Tara Peterson, Taylor Anderson-Heide)
Team Giroux
(Allie Giroux, Tessa Thurlow, Ella Fleming, Brooke Giroux)
Team Strouse
(Delaney Strouse, Sarah Anderson, Sydney Mullaney, Anne O’Hara)
Team McMakin
(Christine McMakin, Miranda Scheel, Jenna Burchesky, Rebecca Rodgers)
Team Benson
(Courtney Benson, Aileen Geving, Lexi Daly, Sara Olson)
Team Cousins
(Elizabeth Cousins, Annmarie Dubberstein, Allison Howell, Liz Janiak)
About USA Curling
Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USA Curling is the National Governing body for the Olympic sport of curling and the Paralympic sport of wheelchair curling in the United States. The mission of USA Curling is to grow, strengthen, and advocate for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of curling in the United States by prioritizing accessibility and programmatic development from grassroots to podium. USA Curling is sponsored by Columbia Sportswear, the Dale’s family of beers, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), Rock Solid Productions, Jet Ice, and Laurie Artiss. USA Curling is a proud member of the World Curling Federation and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. To learn more, visit usacurling.org.
