[EDEN PRAIRIE, MN, April 1, 2024]  — The 2024 Junior National Championships took place this past week in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, with the top eight U21 men’s and women’s teams competing for the chance to represent the country at the 2025 World Junior Curling Championships. 

On the Women’s side, Team Giroux (Allie Giroux, Tessa Thurlow, Ella Fleming, Brooke Giroux, Savannah Koch) took the championship title in thrilling, back-and-forth extra-end game against Team Johnson (Allory Johnson, Morgan Zacher, Gianna Johnson, Bailey Vaydich). Johnson, going all in for the steal in the extra end, gave up five to make the final score 13-8 in favor of Giroux.

Team Giroux went undefeated through the round-robin portion of the event, but dropped the 1-2 Game against Team Johnson. Giroux and her teammates rallied after that loss by topping Team Schapman (Ava Schapman, Jessica Margan, Clare Schapman, Frances Schapman, Lila Farwell) in a close semi-final to advance to the championship game. Team Schapman had advanced to the semi-final with a win in the 3-4 Game against Team Pekowitz (Julia Pekowitz, Addison Neil, Megan Stopera, Alexandra Pekowitz).

“I am grateful that all the hard work over the last few years has finally paid off,” said Allie Giroux. “I’m so proud of my amazing team—I couldn’t have done it without them.”

In the Men’s field, Team Cenzalli returned to the event with a new player, as defending champion Wes Wendling took over skipping duties. In the final, Team Cenzalli (Wesley Wendling, Nicholas Cenzalli, Daniel Laufer, Shaheen Bassiri, Dylan Ciapka) got out to an early lead against Team Hebert (Caden Hebert, Jackson Bestland, Benji Paral, Jack Wendtland, Shane Nelson) and never let up on their way to an 8-4 victory.

Team Cenzalli followed the same route to the title as Team Giroux, going undefeated during the round-robin before losing the 1-2 Game against Team Hebert. A strong Team Guentzel (Mason Guentzel, Will Podhradsky, Leighton Hines, Stuart Strack) provided a real test in the semi-finals, but Cenzalli prevailed 9-6 to book their spot in the championship final.

Team Guentzel advanced to the semi-final with a victory over Team Church (Ryan Church, DJ Neill, Taylor Pendleton, Andrew Picard) in the 3-4 Game.

Team Cenzalli will represent the USA at the 2025 World Junior Men’s Championship, a test event for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games and planned for Cortina, Italy. Skip Wendling will look to improve on the fourth-place finish he recorded with his previous team at the recent 2024 World Junior Men’s Championship.

“It was a great week for the team and me— we all played amazing and had a lot of fun,” Wendling remarked. “I’m super excited to represent the USA at worlds again!”

Team Giroux will head to Finland in December to represent the USA at the 2024 World Junior-B Championships, aiming to earn a berth in the 2025 World Junior Women’s Championship, also slated for Cortina.

The quality of play at this year’s Junior Men’s and Women’s Nationals was exceptional, with experienced players joined by many new faces and young players, and the Eau Claire Curling Club did an extraordinary job as event hosts. USA Curling is grateful for the support from the entire Eau Claire community.

JUNIOR MEN’S

GOLD

Team Cenzalli (Wausau CC, Cape Cod CC, Philadelphia CC, Plainfield CC): Wesley Wendling, Nicholas Cenzalli, Daniel Laufer, Shaheen Bassiri, Dylan Ciapka

SILVER

Team Hebert (Eau Claire CC): Caden Hebert, Jackson Bestland, Benji Paral, Jack Wendtland, Shane Nelson

BRONZE

Team Guentzel (Chaska Curling Center, Saint Paul CC): Mason Guentzel, Will Podhradsky, Leighton Hines, Stuart Strack

JUNIOR WOMEN’S

GOLD

Team Giroux (Chaska Curling Center, Fargo-Moorhead CC, Capital CC): Allie Giroux, Ella Flemming, Tessa Thurlow, Brooke Giroux, Savannah Koch

SILVER

Team Johnson (Four Seasons CC): Allory Johnson, Gianna Johnson, Morgan Zacher, Bailey Vaydich

BRONZE

Team Schapman (Duluth CC, Rice Lake CC, Denver CC): Ava Schapman, Jessica Margan, Clare Schapman, Frances Schapman, Lila Farwell

Photos by: Jeff Thompson

About USA Curling

Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Eagan, 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, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Toyota, Thorne, 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.