[EDEN PRAIRIE, MN, October 7, 2024] — After extensive review of the applications, USA Curling has selected Sara Olson and Coleman Thurston to represent our country in Mixed Doubles at the 2025 World University Games.

A range of criteria was considered in the selection process, including competitive experience and prospects for future success at the elite levels.

Olson and Thurston will wear Team USA colors at the 2025 Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU) Winter World University Games in Torino, Italy, from January 13-23, 2025. FISU is committed to offering, “…opportunity and inspiration to students around the world to play sport.” FISU believes that organized sports improves the health and well-being of of students and helps them become active members of society.

Dean Gemmell, USA Curling CEO, noted, “These kinds of decisions are never easy, and there was no shortage of excellent, qualified candidates. I thank the committee for their thoughtful approach, and look forward to watching Sara and Coleman compete in Torino.”

Alternates for teams in four-person play were also named—Addison Neil will join Team McDonald while Connor Kauffman has been added to the Team Hebert roster for the Games.

This will be the first year that Mixed Doubles is part of a FISU Games. In 2023, in Lake Placid, the American men’s team earned a silver medal, while the women’s team was awarded bronze.

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, 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.