Fields set for USA Curling men’s and women’s national championships
Photo by Bob Weder
[EAGAN, MN, December 27, 2022] — With the Curl Mesabi Classic serving as the final qualifying event and point tallies verified, the fields for the 2023 Women’s and Men’s National Curling Championships are set. The tournament will be held in Denver, Colorado, at the Denver Coliseum from February 5-11, 2023. There will be eight teams of each gender competing, and berths were earned through the qualification pathways outlined below.
The 2022 Olympic Team, the 2022 World Championship representative, and the current World Junior Championship representative earned berths automatically. The next two spots were determined by the highest placing team, not already qualified for Nationals, at the Curling Stadium Contender Series event in Blaine, MN, and the Curl Mesabi Classic in Eveleth, MN. The last spots were earned by the three teams, not already qualified, with the most WCF World Team Ranking (WTR) points. (When there is no returning Olympic or Worlds representative, the field is completed by the team with the highest WTR points not already qualified for the event.)
“After not holding these championships last season because of the Omicron variant, we’re thrilled to be in Denver and excited about the quality of play these elite teams will provide,” remarked USA Curling Interim CEO Dean Gemmell. “The field includes Olympic gold medalists, players who have competed at Olympic Games, and teams that have represented the country at world events. Fans will even get a chance to see a former NFL All-Pro on the ice.”
That NFL All-Pro is Jared Allen, who took up curling after retiring from the NFL. He will see action as the Lead on Team Smith led by skip Jason Smith, who was a part of John Shuster’s team at the 2010 Olympics.
“Jared started curling with three former NFLers,” added Gemmell. “The others moved on but he stuck with it and works hard at his game. It will be interesting for fans to see how he plays against the very best in the country.”
Team Sobering, a Denver-based team, qualified for the event, while local athletes Lance Wheeler and Clare Moores will be competing in Denver as part of teams comprised of curlers from around the country.
2023 Women’s National Curling Championship Field
2022 Olympic Team: Team Peterson - Tabitha Peterson, Cory Thiesse, Tara Peterson, Becca Hamilton
2023 World Junior Championship Representative: Team Scheel - Miranda Scheel, Jordan Hein, Tessa Thurlow, Amelia Hintz
Blaine Qualifier: Team Bear - Madison Bear, Annmarie Dubberstein, Elizabeth Cousins, Allison Howell, Elizabeth Janiak
Eveleth Qualifier: Team Anderson - Sarah Anderson, Taylor Anderson, Lexi Lanigan, Aileen Geving, Leah Yavarow
Points Qualifier #1: Team Strouse - Delaney Strouse, Anne O’Hara, Sydney Mullaney, Rebecca Rodgers, Susan Dudt
Points Qualifier #2: Team McMakin - Christine McMakin, Cora Farrell, Jenna Burchesky, Clare Moores
Points Qualifier #3: Team Rhyme - Kim Rhyme, Libby Brundage, Cait Flannery, Katie Rhyme
Points Qualifier #4: Team Workin - Rachel Workin, Anya Normandeau, Ann Podoll, Christine Lammers
2023 Men’s National Curling Championship Field
2022 Olympic Team: Team Shuster - John Shuster, Chris Plys, Matt Hamilton, John Landsteiner, Colin Hufman
2022 World Representative - Team Dropkin - Korey Dropkin, Andrew Stopera, Mark Fenner, Tom Howell
Current World Junior Championship Representative: Team Sampson - Ethan Sampson, Kevin Tuma, Coleman Thurston, Marius Kleinas, Jake Zeman
Blaine Qualifier: Team Casper - Daniel Casper, Luc Violette, Ben Richardson, Chase Sinnett
Eveleth Qualifier: Team Dunnam - Scott Dunnam, Cody Clouser, Lance Wheeler, Andy Dunnam
Points Qualifier #1: Team Smith - Jason Smith, Dominik Maerki, Hunter Clawson, Jared Allen
Points Qualifier #2: Team Sobering - Darryl Sobering, Alec Celecki, DJ Johnson, Josh Chetwynd
Points Qualifier #3: Team Strouse - Samuel Strouse, Connor Kauffman, Aidan Oldenburg
Linescores, results and additional information about the Women’s and Men’s National Championship can be found at usacurling.org.
USA Curling is sponsored by Columbia Sportswear, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Brakebush, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), Rock Solid Productions, IHG, and Laurie Artiss. USA Curling, as the National Governing Body for the sport in the United States, is also supported by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
