WENDLING/PARAL WIN YOUTH OLYMPIC MIXED DOUBLES TRIALS
Benji Paral, Ella Wendling, and coach Jim Wendling. Photo by: Amanda Kelly
[EAGAN, MN, November 6, 2023] — 23 teams traveled to Bemidji, MN last weekend for the chance to become the U.S. Mixed Doubles Curling Team at the 2024 Youth Olympic Games. Team Wendling/Paral (Ella Wendling/Wausau Curling Club, Benji Paral/Eau Claire Curling Club) won the event, earning themselves a spot on Team USA at the games next year.
Team Wendling/Paral finished pool play with a 4-1 record, then went on to face Team Karjarlainen/McMullin and Team Johnson/Strack in the playoffs. It was a close battle in the finals when the team faced Team Giroux/Podhradsky. Wendling/Paral began the game with two stolen ends, but Giroux and Podradsky stayed in the game, scoring two multiple point ends and forcing their opponents to one. Although Wendling/Paral entered the eighth end down by one, Ella managed a perfectly executed hit to score four in the 8th and win the game 9-6.
“The Trials were such a fun and well run event with great competition throughout the whole week,” said Wendling. “It’s very exciting to have the chance to represent the United States and experience this amazing opportunity.”
Paral added, “It truly does not feel real to be going to South Korea wearing the Stars and Stripes. Thank you to our friends and family who supported us during the Trials.”
The 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games will be held in Gangwon, South Korea beginning on January 19th. Both teams will be playing at the same venue where Team Shuster won their Olympic gold medal in 2018 and Team Thiesse/Dropkin won the 2023 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship.
“It is great to see the talent among young curlers in our country through the Youth Olympic Games Trials,” stated CEO, Dean Gemmell. “American curling teams have had much success in South Korea, and we are excited for what is to come in January.”
Wendling and Paral will be joined by Team Ponzio (Kenna Ponzio, Zachary Brenden, Teagan Thurston, and Owen Nelson), who will be representing the U.S. as the four-person mixed team after their win at the September trials in Denver.
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, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), Rock Solid Productions, IHG, 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.
