TEAM PETERSON WINS 2022 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS
Photo by Bob Weder
Team Christensen (Cory Christensen, Sarah Anderson, Vicky Persinger, Taylor Anderson, and Coach Cathy Overton Clapham) started game two of the best-of-three game series final against Team Peterson (Tabitha Peterson, Nina Roth, Becca Hamilton, Tara Peterson, Aileen Geving, and Coach Laine Peters) with hammer.
Team Peterson was quick to apply pressure to Team Christensen, forcing Team Christensen to draw the four-foot for a single point in the opening end. Team Peterson walked away with a steal of one after Team Christensen’s draw slid too deep to sit shot.
In the second end, Team Peterson stole another point after Team Christensen’s takeout attempt to score under curled and barely touched Team Peterson’s counter.
Team Christensen evened the score in the third end by making a draw to the four-foot in the second end.
In the fourth frame, Team Christensen tried to limit the scoring area as Team Peterson sat two, but their attempt slid too deep, leaving Team Peterson a tap to add three points to the board and take a 5-2 lead.
Team Peterson carried the momentum into the fifth end, stealing another point by forcing Team Christensen to play an angled runback, extending their lead to 6-2.
Team Christensen answered in the sixth end, making a draw to the four-foot to score another deuce with hammer.
Team Peterson regained the four-point lead in the seventh end by making a takeout to score two points.
In the eighth end, Team Christensen attempted a lightweight runback takeout to score two, but their shooter did not curl as much as intended, resulting in a steal of three and an 11-4 victory for Team Peterson.
Team Peterson’s two wins in the best-of-three game series final has earned the team the berth to the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing in February.
“This is extremely special. This team has worked so hard,” said Tabitha Peterson. “We’re so grateful for the opportunity to represent the United States.”
This berth will mark the Team’s second consecutive Olympic Games, but now with the additions of Tara Peterson and Laine Peters.
“Everyone is so willing to put in the work,” said Coach Laine Peters. “This is our third season together, and we’ve accomplished a lot in a short period of time.”
Most recently, Team Peterson earned the United States its first world women’s curling medal in 15 years by wining bronze at the 2021 World Women’s Curling Championship. The team dynamics and momentum that Team Peterson has worked hard on building over the last Olympic quad make the victory all the sweeter.
“It means the world to me,” said Becca Hamilton, second on Team Peterson. “Representing the USA on the biggest stage is incredible, and doing it with these girls makes it even better.”
USA Curling is sponsored by Columbia Sportswear, Toyota, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Brakebush, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), and Sitrin, and is partnered with IHG, Rock Solid Productions Inc., Laurie Artiss Ltd. – The Pin People, and United Airlines.
