december 2011 curling news

T H E I C E S P O R T O F F I T N E S S A N D F I N E S S E

Curling NewsCurling NewsU N I T E D S T A T E S

November/December 2011 • Volume 67 Number 2 Established 1945 • www.usacurl.org • $2.50

Fargo to host 2014 U.S. Olympic Trials

argo, N.D., has been selected asthe host site for the 2014 U.S.Olympic Team Trials forCurling.

“The USCA is pleased toreturn to Fargo for the 2014 OlympicTrials,” said Chris Sjue, president, U.S.Curling Association (USCA). “ScheelsArena is an outstanding venue thatreceived great reviews from the athletesand fans during the 2011 Men’s andWomen’s National Championships. Thetop U.S. men’s and women’s teams will

be competing for the chance to representthe USA at the Olympics in Sochi,Russia. It will be exciting.”

The USCA Executive Committeeunanimously approved awarding the bidto Scheels Arena and the Metro SportsFoundation after a months-long reviewof several bids by a special site selectioncommittee. The Trials will take placeNov. 11-16, 2013, at Scheels Arena, a5,000 seat arena, which also hostedUSA Curling’s 2011 NationalChampionships.

IndexBonspiel Results.....14-15

College Curling..............6

Comics...........................4

Curler’s Calendar.........13

Member Services........... 3

Rocket Exhaust............15

Tales From Sheet 9........ 4

Training Tips..................5

Tucked in the Back......15

USWCA News.............12

Youth Corner..................3

Inside

Mentor a junior team...P3

Wausau’s 8 sheets........P4

Fix that release............ P5

College redesign..........P6

Group rates in Philly....P8

Wheelchair team........P10

Montgomery wins..... P12

Clinics set in ND.......P13

Connect with USA

Curling on

See Olympic Team Trials, 0

F

Young Olympians

Austria Bound: The team of Korey

Dropkin (l-r), Sarah Anderson,

Thomas Howell and Taylor

Anderson will represent the U.S. at

the inaugural Winter Youth Olympic

Games Jan. 13-22 in Innsburck,

Austria. Nine teams competed at

the playdown, which was held Nov.

17-20 at the Grafton (N.D.) Curling

Club. No, you’re not seeing double

... the Anderson girls are identical

twins.

SA’s first curling team toplay at the inauguralWinter Youth OlympicGames will be led by 16-

year-old Korey Dropkin(Southborough, Mass.) as his teamdominated Daniel Dudt’s rink, 10-1, to win the Youth OlympicGames Trials Nov. 20 at the

Grafton Curling Club in Grafton,N.D.

Dropkin and his team of ThomasHowell (Brick, N.J.) and identicaltwin sisters Sarah and TaylorAnderson (Broomall, Pa.) will nowbe nominated to the U.S. OlympicCommittee to be part of Team USAat the 2012 Winter Youth OlympicGames Jan. 13-22 in Innsbruck,Austria.

“My teammates are amazing.

They are great sweepers and greatshooters. I can also trust my viceskip to run the house when I'mshooting,” Dropkin said.

The win capped an 8-1 showingin Grafton for Team Dropkin. “Wehad to bring it every game. Therewere no weak teams and no easygames,” Sarah Anderson said.

by Terry Kolesar,

Editor

Team USA named for 2012 Youth Olympic Gamesby Terry Kolesar,

Editor

U

See Youth Olympic Games, Page 9

The Pete Fenson rink (above) found

success at Scheels as they won the

2011 National title there in February.

Photo by Jerome Larson

Monday Night CurlingMonday Night Football commentators Ron Jaworski, Jon

Gruden and Mike Tirico battled for the 2011 ESPN Curling

Championship Belt earlier this month at the Green Bay

Curling Club as the ESPN crew was in town for the Monday

Night Football match-up between the Packers and the

Vikings (Go Packers!). Thanks to the folks at the Green Bay

Curling Club for being great hosts. A snippet of snapshots

and commentary from the event aired in the third quarter of

the MNF game. ESPN sideline reporter Rachel Nichols and

Tirico’s son, Jordan, as well as two other crew members

captured the belt. This was the second time this group gave

curling a try and we anticipate them coming back again next

season.

Photo by Joel McKee, ESPN

our bright-eyedteenaged curlerswon the right torepresent the U.S. at

the inaugural Winter YouthOlympic Games in Januaryand will now embark on ajourney to Austria.Congratulations to the teamof Korey Dropkin, SarahAnderson, Thomas Howelland Taylor Anderson. Thesecurlers now have a page inUSA Curling’s history bookto continue to pave the waytoward our bright future. Notonly will they compete intraditional mixed curlingevents, they will try theirhand at mixed doubles.However, they’ll be pairedwith teammates from othercompeting countries as partof the cultural and education-al component at the heart ofthe Youth Olympic Games. Itis pretty rare to be able tocall yourself an Olympian –even rarer to do it at age 16,especially in our sport, whichtakes a lifetime for some tomaster.

Warm Brains &

Bodies Needed

You may have noticed onPage 13 that we are seekingvolunteers at the nationaloffice. We have a variety ofduties to keep one busy, fromthinking things such asQuickbooks entries to mind-less tasks such as tidying andorganizing the warehouse. Ifyou are interested in joiningour team, please either con-tact Christy Hering directlyvia phone (1-888-CURLERS,Ext. 207) or by e-mail [email protected] can also go online andfill out a brief questionnaireabout your interests. Have aspecial skill? I’m sure wecan find a task to make itfurther shine.

Football, meet Curling

Those who can’t do …coach, right? I’m not sure ifthat analogy is true or not butsince my out-turn is so hor-rendous, I made my coachingdebut (this is tongue-in-cheek, mind you) when theESPN/Monday NightFootball crew rolled intoGreen Bay in November. Thebooth talent – Mike Tirico,Jon Gruden and RonJaworski – as well as sidelinereporter Rachel Nichols andan enthusiastic crew of about30 more came back for somemore curling action after get-ting their feet wet two yearsago at a similar event. Theoutcome, beyond the fun ofcurling and competing forthe coveted ESPNChampionship Curling Belt,was about 20-30 seconds ofairtime during the MondayNight Football match-upbetween my Green BayPackers and the MinnesotaVikings. If we had paid forthat air time, it would havecost about $4,000-7,000, asGreen Bay President JayPennock was told by a friendwho works for FOX. I wasincredibly impressed onceagain with Tirico’s kindess

and genuine interest in oursport. We’ve been told thatthey’ll be back to chase thecheese belt again. A completegallery of photos from thenight is posted on the USACurling Facebook page. (Oh,and my team was third place,but I’m certain it had nothingto do with my random com-ments.)

Social media

Do you Foursquare? Haveyou heard of it? Foursquareis yet another social mediaexperiment connecting light-hearted competition and rela-tionships. Foursquare, in anutshell, enables you to“check in” at certain loca-tions and share the informa-tion with your friends. Somebusinesses offer specials(such as Chili’s Restaurant,which offers you free chipsand salsa if you tell yourserver that you’ve checked in

there. Who can resist freechips and salsa?). You cancompete with friends andearn badges of all degrees.USA Curling joined Four-square this summer with thehope of getting all memberclubs involved. That waywhen you head out to bon-spiels you can create yourown competition of sorts tosee who has visited the mostclubs in a month or season.Sound like a frivolous wasteof time? Maybe not. I thinkmost curlers are proud of theclubs they go to and eventsthey support. Here’s just onemore way to share that joy(and brag about it a littletoo). If you or your clubdecide to sign up forFoursquare, please “friend”USA Curling. And, if youcheck in at the national officein Stevens Point, Wis., you’llreceive a free baggage tag.(C’mon, where else are yougoing to get that?)

Summer Curling

It has been several yearssince we published a summeredition of the U.S. CurlingNews. Well, in 2012, it willbe back … sort of. Becausethere is such a lapse betweenthe May and late Septemberissues and many bonspielresults and other news toreport, we’ll be putting out aJuly edition but it will onlybe online. Those with a print-ed library of Curling News

copies (I’ve heard those existoutside my inner sanctum!!),don’t fret. You’ll be able toprint the PDF copy. Thisproject also serves a second-ary purpose – to see if youlike a digital edition versus ahard copy. Until next time,see you along the ice.

VOlUmE 67, No. 2 December 2011

Curling NewsCurling NewsU N I T E D S T A T E SU N I T E D S T A T E S

2 DECEmBER 2011 USA Curling... Dare to curl

Official publication of theUnited States Curling Association

Editor — Terry KolesarAssociate Editor—Rick Patzke Emeritus Editor—David Garber

Design: Terry Kolesar

Next editorial deadline: Jan. 20, 2012

The United States Curling News (ISSN 1064-3001; USPS 392-020)is published five times per year in October, November, February,March and May by the United States Curling Association. TheUSCA and Curling News office is located at 5525 Clem’s Way,Stevens Point, WI 54482. Telephone 715-344-1199. Subscriptionprice for non-USCA members: $16 per year (North America), $26per year (overseas), payable in US currency. Single copy price:$2.50. Advertising rates on request. Established 1945. Periodicalspostage paid at Waupaca, Wisconsin, and additional offices asrequested. Postmaster sends address changes to US Curling News,5525 Clem’s Way, Stevens Point, WI 54482.

United States Curling Association

Officers

President Chris SjueVice Presidents Kent Beadle

Dave CarlsonJerome LarsonJames Pleasants

Treasurer Sean SilverSecretary Bob Pelletier

Directors

Paul Badgero [2012]Kent Beadle [2012]Craig Brown (AAC) [2012]Dave Carlson [2013]Maureen Clark (AAC) [2012]Gabrielle Coleman [2014]Lynita Delaney [2012]Janet Farr (USWCA) [2012]Dean Gemmell (AAC) [2012]Nancy Haggenmiller [2013]Peggy Hatch** [2014]Jonathan Havercroft [2013]Cyndee Johnson [2014]Gwen Krailo [2013]Jerome Larson [2012]Jan Legacie [2014]

Rich Lepping* [2012]Gordon Maclean [2013]Richard Maskel (AAC) [2012]Bob Pelletier [2012]James Pleasants [2013]Allison Pottinger (AAC) [2012]Leland Rich [2014]Sean Silver [2012]Chris Sjue [2013]Mark Swandby [2014]Ann Swisshelm (AAC) [2012]Beau Welling* [2012]Sam Williams [2014]* Board-elected

** Voice, no vote

Off-site staff:

Director of Sport Education

Scott Higgins913-449-2933 • [email protected]

Director of High Performance

Derek [email protected]

US: +1 715-254-5024 • UK: +44 7793 099668

National Wheelchair Development Coach

Steve Brown, [email protected]

National Wheelchair Curling Outreach Development Director

Marc DePerno, [email protected]

Head Ice Technician

Dave Staveteig701-772-0705 • [email protected]

USA Curling National Office

5525 Clem’s WayStevens Point, WI 54482

Office: 715-344-1199 • Fax: 715-344-2279E-mail: [email protected] • Web site: www.usacurl.org

CHIEF OPERATINg OFFICER:

Rick Patzke, [email protected] OF COmmUNICATIONS:

Terry Kolesar, [email protected]:

Sandy Robinson, [email protected] SERVICES mANAgER:

Dawn Leurquin, [email protected] ASSISTANT:

Christy Hering, [email protected] & DEVElOPmENT mANAgER:

Kim Nawyn, [email protected]

AmERICAN CURlINg FOUNDATION & mUSEUm

The Museum is located at the Chicago Curling Club,555 Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062

CURATOR: James M. Miller Jr.2011 Glendale Ave.Northbrook, IL 60062847-272-7224

UNITED STATES WOmEN’S CURlINg ASSOCIATION

OFFICERS

PRESIDENT Maureen GuayFIRST VICE PRESIDENT Bridget MatzkeSECOND VICE PRESIDENT Shelley DropkinSECRETARY Mary Ann HulmeTREASURER Carolyn MacLeodUSCA LIAISON Janet FarrPROMOTIONS & Nancy WilhelmPUBLIC RELATIONS

Olympian at 16? No longera dream for curlers

Ideas? Complaints? Send

your thoughts to Curling

News Editor Terry Kolesar

[email protected]

715-344-1199, Ext. 202

From the

Editor’s DeskF

Green Bay Curling Club President Jay Pennock (l-r), club mem-

ber John Schnurer, Jordan Tirico and Mike Tirico pose prior to

curling action. Pennock led the young Tirico to the ESPN

Curling Championship title. Photo by Joel McKee, ESPN

memory that willforever be etchedin my mind isthat of a team of

young women I coached,sliding one after the otherin their pre-game slide atthe World Junior CurlingChampionships in Pinerolo,Italy. They slid with thegrace of swans, one afteranother, gliding across theirfrozen pond. The red lettersUSA on their backs seemedto glow against the navyand white jackets. I wasproud of them, and happyfor them.

The memory shifted backyears earlier, to a timewhen the youngest of themcould barely get the stoneto the far end of the sheet.Those earliest days werespecial, but no days were asspecial as those between thetwo memories.

As the girls became more

proficient in the sport, weventured out to junior bon-spiels around the Midwest.Their eager anticipation ofeach new curling club wasprobably enough to deemeach and every week a suc-cess. We didn’t win toomany games in the early

days, but they sure werefun. We made sure of it.We made sure the curlingwas fun, and we made darnsure the trip was fun. Atevery venue, we wouldseek out something fromwhich to make a memory.Winnipeg, Duluth, St. Paul– these trips were easy, ofcourse, given there is somuch to do in these cities.But Grafton, N.D. … well,there was the sugar beetcaper. Eveleth, Minn., …we hunted taconite.Everyone who has been toBemidji has had a phototaken with Paul Bunyan,but did you know there is aterrific science center inBemidji? Centerville, Wis.… OK, you got me. Notreally – the locks along theMississippi River are prettycool, and it only took sixRed Bulls to help me getthe team back to Bismarck

that Sunday night.Cherished memories theyare for me, and develop-mental building blocks, Ihope, for the girls.

We need junior coaches.Parents or friends who arewilling to spend a little timedeveloping young teams.Rule No. 1 is that it has tobe fun. In recognition ofthat fact, the USCArequires entry-level coachesto take a course from thePositive Coaching Alliancecalled “Double-GoalCoaching.” It provides thetools to ensure that yourteam is playing the sport forall the right reasons. Checkthem out at www.positivecoach.org.

So, you say that fun onlygoes so far and, at somepoint, you need to helpthem become better curlers,because it sure is fun towin. Right you are, and

there are so many resourcesavailable from USACurling’s Training andInstruction and Coachingprograms, including deliv-ery mechanics, fault analy-sis, team dynamics, andteam systems, to name justa few. All these tools areavailable on the USCAwebsite under the Inside theUSCA tab, thenTraining/Tools. There alsoare junior camps for allages spread throughout thecountry. A list of these canbe located on the websiteunder the Championshipstab, then camp calendar. Ifthere isn’t a camp in yourarea or for your situation,let’s talk about organizingone!

Consider starting yourown story by mentoring ateam of young curlers thisyear. The memories arethere for the making.

DECEmBER 2011 3USA Curling... Dare to curl


Coaching junior curlers is very rewardingYouth Corner

By Dave Jensen,

Chairman, USCA

Youth Committee

A

Nominate someone for Volunteer of the Year Award

The U.S. Curling Association is proud toroll out its Volunteer of the Year Award.Nominations will be accepted through June1, 2012, with the inaugural winner beingannounced next summer.

The Volunteer of the Year Award honorsone great volunteer that stands out for

his/her work to help promote the sport ofcurling. Please help spread the word aboutthis great award to thank the backbone ofour organization – our volunteers!

Criteria and a nomination form can befound online at www.usacurl.org/usacurl.Thank you to all our great volunteers.

Send in club dues and rosters by Jan. 31

s in past years, USA Curling isusing e-mail to distribute itspacket of information for filingmembership rosters and submit-

ting USA Curling dues for 2011-12. hesenotices are being sent to any club andregion presidents, treasurers, and member-ship roster coordinators for whom we havee-mail addresses. The USA Curling rostersand dues materials will also be availableon our website at www.usacurl.org.Included in this packet is informationabout our prize drawing for clubs that sub-mit dues and rosters by the Jan. 31, 2012,deadline. Additional entries for this draw-ing will be awarded to those who completeour annual diversity survey by the samedeadline.

This year, if we receive your dues androsters on time, it will have significantimportance. At the 2012 Spring Members’Meeting, regions will vote on proposednew bylaws adopted by the USCA Boardof Directors at their September meeting.The purpose of the bylaws changes is tomake the USCA a stronger and more effec-tive organization. The bylaws will not be ineffect until they are approved by the mem-bers. Your club membership reporting anddues payment will determine how manyvotes your region has. In order to be count-

ed for the spring vote, your club’s rosterand dues must be received at the USACurling office by the Jan. 31, 2012, dead-line. Visit the USA Curling website formore information on the proposed bylawsand to read “Frequently Asked Questions,”as well as a discussion about the impact oncompetitive curlers.

As in past years, we are asking all mem-ber clubs to update their rosters online atwww.association-data.com. If you wouldlike to update your roster via bulk upload,this file must be uploaded from the USACurling office. Uploads can be sent direct-ly to [email protected]. If youhave any questions or need assistance withany part of the filing process, contact me atthe e-mail address listed above, or call888-287-5377, Ext. 207.

The USCA Membership Database hasbeen designed and built with the assistanceof USA Curling sponsor AtomAmpd, andwill continue to evolve to meet the needsof our organization and members. Yoursuggestions for improvements to the data-base are welcome.

im Nawyn hasbeen hired asUSA Curling’sgrowth anddevelopment

manager at the nationaloffice in Stevens Point,Wis.

Nawyn relocated toStevens Point from theNew York metropolitanarea in early October. Asgrowth and developmentmanager, Nawyn will beresponsible for develop-ing, implementing andservicing benefit programsfor USA Curling membersat all levels, from regionsto clubs to individuals.These programs are thefrontline efforts to bringvalue to the members ofthe USCA. This positionalso leads and managesefforts to drive the growthof the sport nationally.

“I am very excited tohave the opportunity towork for USA Curling aspart of the organization’scommitment to the growthof the sport,” Nawyn said.“I look forward to learningfrom the experience ofcurlers around the countryand partnering with them

to incorporate these ideasinto practice.”

Nawyn enters the posi-tion with a diverse back-ground, which includesteaching criminology, con-ducting qualitative andquantitative research, andadvising attorneys on trialstrategy and presentationin high stakes civil andcriminal litigation.

As an active member ofthe Ardsley Curling Clubin New York since 2006,and a board representativesince 2009, Nawyn partici-pated in numerous recruit-ment, retention, and train-ing initiatives at the clublevel. She is now a mem-ber of the Stevens PointCurling Club.

Nawyn named USA Curling’s growth

and development manager

by Terry Kolesar,

Editor

K

Nawyn

by Christy Hering, U.S. Curling News staff

AMembership reportingwill determine regionalvotes for bylaws change

t seems that theMinnesota Monopolyof Eight-Sheet CurlingEmporiums may be

broken next season, if theenergetic folks at theWausau Curling Club havetheir way.

Before we report on that,how about a nostalgicreview of big facilities dedi-cated to curling (arbitrarilydefined as six sheets ormore)? One whopper(defunct for decades) wasthe 48-sheet “Big Four”club in Calgary, boasting 24sheets on each of two levels.Imagine memorizing the iceand rocks at that place.Maybe the power scraperwas invented there by aPopeye-armed ice makertired of hand-scraping?

In the U.S., some willrecall the stately brick 12-sheet club at Duluth (on thesecond floor, over a hockeyarena, no less), a victim ofurban renewal, long sincereplaced by the superbeight-sheet DECC facility.

Superior’s old six-sheetclub, near the base of thelong bridge to Duluth, is buta memory, although onstormy days one can hearechoes of young Bud and(the late) Strummer’s“sweep” calls resounding inthe nearby clouds. The sec-ond floor club room at thatjoint evoked the pool hall inThe Hustler and, ‘cuzsmoke gets in your eyes,you can recall guys wholooked like Gleason,Newman and Scott playinggin rummy, having a drinkand talking smart after ahard-fought game at thatstoried building.

Anyway, that’s how itlooked to a wide-eyed 20-year-old at a late-’60sWisconsin district play-down, in his first game

against the world champi-ons, leading off, and sonervous that during his firstshot, he hit himself in thehead with his own brush.(To clarify, that would beme.)

Here’s a quick inventoryof the “big” U.S. curling-only facilities: Duluth,Eveleth and St. Paul (eightsheets); Hibbing (sevensheets); and six-sheet facili-ties at Bemidji, Fairbanks,Madison and Utica. Thiswriter has never missed ashot at Fairbanks, but hashad the distinct pleasure ofmissing many, and makingsome too, at the other sevencurling palaces.

Which brings us back toWausau.

Since the 1940s, theWausau Curling Club hasbeen housed in a fairgroundbuilding in Marathon Park.Each fall, the members duti-fully tidy up after the ani-mals and get set up for curl-ing. By the time visitorsarrive for, say, the biggesthigh school bonspiel in thenation, the place looks great.To squeeze in five sheets,

each sheet had to be narrow-er than regulation, and eachhouse less than the full 12feet. (One always had aready excuse when a fewinches short of the ringsthere!)

Wausau has always beena great place for a bonspieland fellowship. The clubhas always been a nationalleader in supporting scholas-tic curling. Now, as reportedby multiple media sources,the club will soon be housedin an eight-sheet, modern,bright, energy-efficientfacility.

We contacted WausauCurling Club leaders CalTillisch, Cory Sandquist andPerry Grueber to ask them ifthe recent publicity, whichextended to Yahoo! Newsand other national news out-lets (even bigger than theCurling News!) was true.Would Wausau have aneight-sheet curling facilityin use for the 2012-13 curl-ing season? Yes, barringunexpected setbacks to avery complex project.

Sandquist is club presi-dent; Grueber is the club’spublic relations chief.Tillisch co-chairs the pro-ject’s fund-raising commit-tee with CPA Jeff Stubbe,and doubles as chair of thebuilding committee. Tillischis a real-estate attorney,which he says has beenhandy knowledge for thisgiant real-estate project. Heand spouse, Marcia, arenational curling championsand long-time local curlingboosters. Sandquist hascurled since he was a kid;Grueber for just five years,but had limited immunityand rapidly developed acase of the curling virus.Together, their skills andenthusiasm make it evidentwhy the massive project will

succeed.“We budgeted $3 million

for this project,” Tillischstates, “but agreed to keeppublicity low-key until wehad raised two-thirds of thatfigure.” Grueber adds, “Weagreed we would not oper-ate with significant long-term debt. We want to keepthe cost of curling afford-able for Wausau area resi-dents.” At press time, thecommittee has firm commit-ments for $2.4 million insupport from Wausau areafoundations and individuals.

The Wausau Curling Clubhas more than 500 curlers,including 170 high schoolcurlers. There is consider-able unmet demand thateight sheets can satisfy. Forexample, in a recent mediainterview, a high school ath-lete said that more practicetime availability was neededto raise the team’s competi-tive level. More sheets willmean more practice time.

The plans call forOlympic-sized 16-foot-widesheets, laser-leveled con-crete base, and six-foot car-peted walkways and easyaccess to the ice, not onlyfor general roominess but tofully accommodate wheel-chair curling. Modern ener-gy efficiencies should keepenergy use for eight sheetsat or below the level for thecurrent five sheets.

Sandquist likes theopportunity to further servethe Wausau community.“We think of the new facili-ty as a civic feature. Eventslike the Badger State Gamesand other bonspiels generateimportant economic activi-ty.”

The club owns 15 acresnear Grand Avenue, justsouth of central Wausau. Asoccer group owns an adja-cent 45 acres. “With com-plementary seasons, weexpect synergy from cooper-ation with the soccer folkson subjects like parkingareas,” says Tillisch.

All three spokespersonsstated that the club is veryenthusiastic about hostingnational and internationalevents at the new facility,“from national to worldchampionships and Olympicselection events,” saysSandquist.

To contact the committeefor more information,including a brochure with amap, a list of major finan-cial supporters and morebackground, and/or to makea tax-deductible donation,browse www.cfoncw.org(Community Foundation ofNorth Central Wisconsin,look for Wausau CurlingClub Building Fund); or callCal Tillisch at 715-848-4045(H), 715-849-8100, Ext.5(O); or e-mail [email protected] Curling Club, Inc.is a tax-exempt, 501(c)3organization. Fundraisingvehicles include a Wall ofHonor for donations of$2,500 and up, and 12-inchTerrazo floor tiles in thenew lobby at the $300 (oneline, 22 characters) and$600 level (three lines).

The publicity continues:Tillisch, Sandquist andOlympian DebbieMcCormick will be inter-viewed on Wisconsin Publicradio Thursday, Dec. 8between 5 and 6 p.m.



David Garber,[email protected]

Tales From

Sheet Nine

Wausau plans new eight-sheet facility

I

The Funny Side Compete in Women’s Bonspiels andEarn Points for Area and NationalCash Awards!

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• How you can compete in The Circuit in

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become part of The Circuit!

Register your Club’s Bonspiel for

Increased Participation!

Register yourself as a Circuit Participant!

www.uswca.org

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The USWCA CircuitEvent

ears ago, I heardBill Tschirhart ofCanada’s TrueNorth Curling,

Inc., say that a $1 millionslide and a 2-cent releasewill produce a 2-cent shot.For all that I have said inprevious articles aboutproper alignment and goodbalance, none of that mat-ters if you don’t have agood grip, turn, and release.So, what makes for a goodrelease?

A good release startswith a proper grip. First ofall, remember that you arenot trying to choke a chick-en. If your knuckles areturning white, your grip istoo tight. Slide your fourfingers under the handlewith the pads of your fin-gers at about the middleknuckle at the bottom of thehandle. Don’t let your fin-gers fan out – keep themclose together. Don’t jamthem into the curve of thehandle and don’t let yourlittle finger drift off theback. If you do, you willend up either steering thestone narrow or flipping itwide.

Keeping your wrist highabove the handle, now foldyour thumb over the top ofthe handle and lightly pinchthe handle on the sideopposite your palm. Your

palm should not be touch-ing the handle. Here is a lit-tle drill to make sure thatyou grip is directly abovethe bolt hole (e.g., the cen-ter of the stone): Once youhave gripped the stone,stand up over the stonewithout moving your grip.Now, using only yourshoulders, lift the stone afew inches, than gently setit back on the ice. Listen tohow many sounds you hearas the stone hits the ice. Ifyou hear more than one,your grip is not centered.Adjust your grip either for-ward or back, and try again.When you find the “sweetspot” you will only hearone sound – the entire cuphitting the ice at the sametime. From now on, neverthrow another shot withoutyour grip at that “sweetspot.”

So, you’re in the hack,you are aligned to the skip’sbroom, you’re balanced,and your grip is good.Now, it’s time to cock thehandle. Depending onwhich turn is being played,turn the handle to either the10 or 2 o’clock position.The handle should stay inthat location until about thelast 4 feet of your slide.During that last 4 feet, gen-tly, but firmly, turn the han-dle toward the 12 o’clock

position and release it.Make sure that your hand isnot on the handle at or pastthe 12 o’clock position oryou may end up steeringthe stone and getting itimmediately off line.

Remember, a curlingstone does not start to curluntil it is well beyond thepoint of release. If the stoneis immediately off thatinvisible line from the hackto the skip’s broom, therewas probably a faultyrelease.

Here is another little drillto check out your release.Set a plastic cup on the iceabout 5 feet beyond whereyou normally release a

stone (remember to keep itwithin 18 inches of the cen-ter line at the hog line –that is equal to shooting atthe outer edge of the houseat the other end). Next, setup another cup 10-12 feetfarther down the ice, on aline that runs from thedelivery side of the hackand through the first cup.(A great way to set this upfor several throws is to usea string or laser set up fromthe hack. Once you havethe cups set up in a straightline, use a marker to putlight marks on the ice soyou can reposition the cupsafter each practice throw.Don’t worry, the lines willcome off the next time theice is scraped).

Now, shoot at the nearestcup – you and the stoneshould go straight to thatcup and, once you releasethe stone, it should hit bothcups. If you miss the near-est cup, your alignment wasprobably bad. If you hit thefirst cup but not the second,there is probably somethingwrong with your release.Start over and try againuntil you get it right. Striveto hit the cups with theexact center of the stone. Ifyou miss at close range,you will be way off at thefar end.

Remember to count the

rock’s rotations as it travelsdown the ice. For the ice inmost clubs, curlers shouldstrive for 2½ to 3 revolu-tions and everyone on yourteam should have the samenumber of revolutions. A“lazy” handle will curlmore or may even lose itsturn, and an over-rotatedstone will tend to runstraighter. Be consistent asan individual and as a team– you will make more shotsand win more games.

Also strive for a commonrelease point for everyoneon your team. Rocks withdrastically different releasepoints will curl differently.Consistent release pointsand rotations will makereading the ice and antici-pating curl much easier forthe skip.

It’s nice to look pretty asyou’re sliding down the ice.But, remember, a $1 mil-lion slide and a 2-centrelease will get you a 2-centshot. Until next time, goodcurling!

Mielke is a Level III

instructor and a Level III

coach. He is the past chair-

man of the USCA’s Training

& Instruction Committee

and a member of

Bismarck’s Capital Curling

Club.



Poor release will result in a 2-cent shot

Jon Mielke,[email protected]

Training Tips

From JonY

he Bemidji CurlingClub in Bemidji,Minn., will host achallenge between

the United States and Brazilon Jan. 27-29 for the finalAmericas berth at the 2012World Men’s CurlingChampionship in Basel,Switzerland.

Brazil issued its thirdchallenge against the U.S.for the berth and will getthe opportunity to earn it ina best-of-five competitionspread over three days inJanuary. The Brazilianshave previously challengedthe U.S. for the men’sworld berths in 2009 and2010 but have thus far beenunsuccessful. The U.S.team for the challenge willbe the defending U.S.champions, led by 2006Olympic bronze medalistPete Fenson (Bemidji,Minn.).

Twelve teams compete atboth the men’s andwomen’s World Curling

Championships each year.Two teams represent theAmericas Zone, encom-passing both North andSouth America. Since theinception of the worldchampionships, the onlytwo World CurlingFederation member associa-tions to represent theAmericas have beenCanada and the UnitedStates.

Canada has qualified forthe 2012 Worlds becausethey ranked higher at thecompletion of the 2011Worlds (Canada finishedfirst to USA’s 10th placeshowing). Brazil, a WCFmember since 1998, is chal-lenging the U.S. for the sec-ond Americas berth inBasel.

All five Brazilian nation-als – Luis Silva, CelsoKossaka, Marcelo Mello,Cesar Santos and FilipeNunes – are currently train-ing in Quebec, Canada, atthe Lennoxville CurlingClub. They’ll face Fensonand his team of ShawnRojeski (Chisholm, Minn.),Joe Polo (Duluth, Minn.)

and Ryan Brunt (Bemidji,Minn.). January is a busymonth for U.S. teams tryingto qualify for the 2012Nationals. As a result ofthis and the timing of thechallenge, the defendingchampions will earn a byeinto the 2012 NationalChampionships in Februaryin Philadelphia.

Brazil set to challenge USA for 2012 Men’s

World Championship berthby Terry Kolesar,

Editor

T

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College Curling



Three events, three locations and three dates

he popularity of the annualNational College Tourna-ment has a limited numberof teams because of limit-

ed ice time in Chicago, plus travelexpenses for distant teams. Thisseason we are expanding to morelocations around the country toassure competitive curling for moreteams and schools.

We welcome new and one-yearteams to provide the fun and expe-rience of real competition. The for-mat continues to divide regionalevents into separate divisions basedon experience.

All teams will curl against teamswith similar experience just like inthe past. Best of all, the dates arespread out so teams can enter anyor all regionals. Three superb clubswill be hosting regionals this sea-

son with award pins presented tofour teams in each eight-team divi-sion. Food and soft drinks will beprovided to all curlers.

Attention all student curlers:Whatever your experience, getteams together and send entries inas soon as possible. The followingcurling clubs will be hostingregional events:

Bowling green Regional

Where: BGSU, Bowling Green,Ohio,

When: Feb. 17-19Contact: Nick Derksen, derk-

[email protected] Deadline for regional entries:

5 p.m., Feb. 1Cost: $150 (please make check

out to Bowling Green CC). Checkscan be mailed to Nick Derksen at840 Eighth St., Apt. 116, BowlingGreen, OH 43402.

Contact Derksen for travel andhotel information.

Kettle moraine Regional

Where: Kettle Moraine CC,Hartland, Wis.

When: March 10-11Contact: Mike Schuder, mschud-

[email protected] Deadline: 5 p.m., March 1Fee: $150 (please make check

out to Kettle Moraine CC). Contact Schuder for address to

mail check to as well as travel andhotel information. Kettle MorraineCC is located about 25 miles west

of Milwaukee in Hartand, Wis.,several miles east of I-94. Theevent will have two gamesSaturday and one Sunday morning,with finals at around 11:30 Sundaymorning.

Broomstones Regional

Where: Broomstones, Wayland,Mass.

When: March 30-April 1Contact: Monica Walker, moni-

[email protected] (note: novowels in wlkr)

Deadline: 5 p.m., March 1Fee: $150 (please make check

out to Broomstones CC).Contact Walker for address to

mail check to as well as travel andhotel information. Three-draw min-imum, playoffs on Sunday. Teamswill be ranked by experience.

Visit the College Curling websiteto download entry forms and tolearn more information about theabove events.

by Rich Larko,

College Curling Coordinator

TTeams can enter any or all regional

events; new teams welcome

Green Bay to host 2013National Championships

Green Bay, Wis., hasbeen selected to host the2013 USA Curling NationalChampionships at theCornerstone CommunityCenter in partnership withthe Green Bay CurlingClub and Greater GreenBay Convention andVisitor’s Bureau.

“We are very excited tobe hosting the champi-onships,” said Don Chilson,manager of the CornerstoneCommunity Center and co-chair of the 2013 NationalChampionships. “It will bea great experience for usand all our user groups tosee something truly differ-ent go on in our facility. Wereally appreciate the oppor-tunity that USA Curling hasgiven us.”

The Nationals will takeplace Feb. 9-16, 2013. Thetop 10 men’s and 10women’s teams will com-pete in the weeklong com-petition and become nation-al champions and earn theprivilege to represent theU.S. at the 2013 WorldChampionships. In addi-tion, the 2013 Nationalswill be the second qualify-ing event for teams toadvance to the 2014 U.S.Olympic Team Trials forCurling.

The CornerstoneCommunity Center is locat-ed in the city of DePere andwas built in 2000 as thenew home of Green BayArea Youth Hockey, St.Norbert Green Knights

Hockey, and theCornerstone Skating Club.

“The United StatesCurling Association isexcited to bring the 2013Men’s and Women’sNational Championships toGreen Bay,” said ChrisSjue, president of USACurling. “The city, theexcellent venue, and theintense competition willmake Green Bay the placeto be in February 2013.”

The three-sheet GreenBay Curling Club has beena partner with USA Curlingfor the past few seasons,hosting High Performancecamps in the summer andother early training iceopportunities for athletes.

“We are honored by ourselection to host the 2013

National CurlingChampionships here inGreen Bay,” said BillRhyme of the Green BayCurling Club, who willserve as co-chair of the2013 Nationals. “We havean excellent partnershipwith CornerstoneCommunity Ice Center andthe Greater Green BayConvention and Visitor’sBureau, which will allow usto host an exciting and first-class championship event.”

The winning teams fromthe 2013 Nationals will beprepared to represent theU.S. at the world champi-onships. The 2013 FordWorld Men’s Championshipwill be March 30-April 7,2013, in Victoria, BritishColumbia, while Riga,Latvia, will host the 2013World Women’s Champion-ship March 16-24, 2013.

Certifications

Eight-Ender

Utica

The Jason Brien rinkachieved an eight-ender onOct. 27, 2011, during thefifth end in the “skip-lad-der” league night at theUtica Curling Club in

Utica, N.Y. After two rocksfrom the opposing teampicked, a control-weightdouble takeout was deliv-ered by Jason Brien. Histeammates included JaredWydysh, David Cragnolinand John Collea.

level I instructor

Robert J. BensonBrian DavidsonErik de VreezeDaniel FerchChris GaumerSteven GreasbyTodd HerbertTamera HoffmanWesley HoffmanMiranda HofmannSandra KawleskiLiana Knott

David KrauseDebra KutokBill NickleMark Piskura IIDoug SchmuckerFrancesca SommaGeorgette TrachtaOlivia Wolff

level I Instructor

Recertification

Kathleen J. GiedtRonel W. GiedtAmit Thakkar

ACF&Mdonations

acceptedDonations to the

American CurlingFoundation and Museum, located in the ChicagoCurling Club, can be sentto 555 Dundee Road,Northbrook, IL 60062.The curator is JamesMiller Jr., 847-272-7224.

by Terry Kolesar,

Editor



s discussionsacross the U.S.CurlingAssociation

(USCA) community contin-ue about the new bylaws upfor member consideration,the rights of competitivecurlers have become anoth-er recurring topic.

The USCA GovernanceTask Force, established byresolution of the USCABoard of Directors, wascharged with reviewing theorganization’s structure andcoming forth with recom-mendations for a clear poli-cy setting role for the boardand its committees. TheTask Force membersinclude Chris Sjue, JeromeLarson, David Carlson, JimPleasants, Kent Beadle,Ann Swisshelm, RichardMaskel, Beau Welling,Andy Anderson, LelandRich and Bob Pelletier.This group approached itsobjectives with the beliefthat the point of governancereform is to create a solidfoundation upon which theUSCA, as a national body,may build a world-classorganization, both on andoff the ice.

The governance reformand proposed bylaw provi-sions are intended toaddress the perceived andreal impediments to theUSCA excelling. Theseimpediments include, with-out limitation:

1. Convoluted lines ofauthority between theBoard, its officers, and theCEO and staff;

2. The overlap of policyand operational concerns atthe Board level;

3. Under performance inraising funds from inde-pendent sources;

4. No direct voice andvote in the governmental

affairs of the USCA bythose who are paying themember dues, the curlingclubs and the curler mem-bers of those clubs; and

5. Elections to nationalpolicy setting positionsbased solely on regionalitywhen the USCA is to servecurling nationwide from anational perspective.

Just as the nation’s curl-ing competitors are judgedby their performance on theice, the organization itselfis judged by the market-place. If the USCA staffdoesn’t serve the needs ofthe constituency, if theorganization fails to be rele-vant to its members, then ithas no membership andthus no funding. These arefactors any Board mustconsider in weighing andestablishing policies andgoals of the USCA.

High Performance pro-grams and the participatingcompetitive athletes are butone segment of the con-stituency of the USCA.High performance itself isnot a governance issue; it isan operational issue. Thereformation of the bylawsof the USCA addressesbasic governance issues,not the details of how toadminister competitive pro-grams.

A substantial reason whythe U.S. OlympicCommittee (USOC)responded with concernsabout the current USCAgovernance is the failure ofthe USCA to clearly distin-guish governance fromoperational issues. TheUSCA Board of Directorshas been actively engagedin operational issues. Thisis not in keeping with cor-porate governance bestpractices.

The USOC also per-

ceived the USCA to be fail-ing to follow the corporatebest practice of clearlydelineating lines of authori-ty. During the annual prepa-ration and presentation ofthe annual USCA HighPerformance Plan, theUSOC began to questionwho was actually in chargeand exercising the authorityto make final decisionsregarding the HighPerformance Program – thevolunteer Directors or thepaid High Performancestaff (hired with USOC dol-lars).

The USCA GovernanceTask Force established atthe direction of the Boardapproached its work withthe understanding thatbylaws are intended to bethe foundational documentsetting forth the basic gov-ernmental structure andpolicies of the organization.How competitive athletesand their programs are cho-sen and implemented is nota basic governmental issue,it is an operational issue.

The rights of competitiveathletes of a NationalGoverning Body (NGB) ofan Olympic sport in theUnited States are set forthin federal law, the TedStevens Amateur SportsAct, as administered by theUSOC. This law states,among other things, thatcompetitive athletes musthave a minimum 20 percentrepresentation on all NGBcommittees dealing withhigh performance programsand the spending of USOCresources on these pro-grams. The athlete rights donot include guaranteeingany specific method ofselection of a team, howev-er, or how teams are to becoached/managed, or fund-ed. These are operational

details which may and dochange as circumstanceswarrant from year to year.

While the many highperformance programdetails are operational,competitive athletes in theUSCA do have substantialinput into team selectionprocedures, the overallHigh Performance Plan,Olympic Trials formats, andso on. Under the leadershipof High PerformanceDirector Derek Brown, theUSCA maintains a commit-ment to receiving inputfrom athletes and otheradvisory group members,while maintaining authorityover these operational deci-sions.

The USCA believes thatthe proposed governancereform will implement bestpractices to enable theUSCA to excel as an NGB.By excelling as an NGB,the USCA will provide thebest operational support toall of its constituencies, ofwhich competitive athletes

are one.For the above reasons,

the undersigned USCAGovernance Task Forcemembers fully endorse theproposed bylaw changes,which we believe will fur-ther position the USCA tocontinue to build a world-class organization.

Signed,Andy Anderson, USCA

Past PresidentKent Beadle, USCA Vice

President, CompetitivePrograms Committee

Dave Carlson, USCAVice President, Operations& Marketing

James Pleasants, USCAVice President,Championships

Leland Rich, USCA PastPresident

Chris Sjue, USCAPresident

Ann Swisshelm, USCADirector & AthletesAdvisory Council Chair

Beau Welling, USCADirector

Competitive curling: Governance or operational matters?

A

2011-12 Championship & Playdown Schedule

Event:

2012 Senior Men’s Nationals*2012 Senior Women’s Nationals*December:

2012 Mixed Doubles National Championship*January:

2012 Men’s Nationals Qualifying Round

2012 Continental Cup2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games2012 Nationals Challenge Round – Men2012 Nationals Challenge Round –Women2012 Junior National ChampionshipsFebruary:

2012 National ChampionshipsUSWCA National BonspielUSSMCA Bonspiel2012 World Wheelchair Championshipmarch:2012 Club National Championships2012 World Junior Championships2012 Mixed National Championship2012 Ford World Women’s ChampionshipApril:

2012 Capital One World Men’s Championship2012 World Senior Championships2012 World Mixed Doubles Championship

*accordion in nature

Dates:

Nov. 30-Dec. 2Dec. 2-4

Dec. 7-11

Jan. 4-8

Jan. 12-15Jan. 13-22Jan. 19-22Jan. 19-22Jan. 28-Feb. 4

Feb. 11-18Feb. 15-19Feb. 16-19Feb. 18-25

March 3-10March 3-11March 17-24March 17-25

March 31-April 8April 14-21April 23-29

Registration

deadline:

Dec. 7

Nov. 30/Jan. 11

Jan. 25

Site:

Bismarck, N.D.Grafton, N.D.

Broomstones CC, Wayland, Mass.

Green Bay, Seattle, Potomac &Grand ForksLangley, British ColumbiaInnsbruck, AustriaEau Claire, Wis.Marshfield, Wis.Madison, Wis.

Philadelphia, Pa.St. Paul, Minn.Wauwatosa & Kettle Moraine, Wis.Chuncheon City, South Korea

Mankato, Minn.Ostersund, SwedenPortage, Wis.Lethbridge, Alberta

Basel, SwitzerlandTaarnby, DenmarkErzurum, Turkey

Junior Nationals Playdowns, by region:

Alaska Dec. 16-18 At-Large TBAGNCC Dec. 26-31GLCA Dec. 29-30Illinois Dec. 27-28Minnesota Dec. 29-Jan. 1MoPac Dec. 29-31North Dakota Dec. 29-31Washington Dec. 17-19Wisconsin Dec. 26-30

Club Nationals Playdowns, by region:

Alaska Feb. 11-12At-Large Jan. 26-29GNCC Dec. 15-18 (w)

Jan. 19-22 (m)GLCA Jan. 13-15Illinois Jan. 26-29Minnesota Feb. 3-5MoPac Jan. 13-15North Dakota Jan. 12-15Washington Dec. 17-19Wisconsin Dec. 15-18

mixed Playdowns, by region:

Alaska Feb. 17-19At-Large Feb. 17-19GNCC Feb. 2-5GLCA Feb. 10-12Illinois Feb. 17-19Minnesota Feb. 24-26MoPac Feb. 3-5North Dakota Feb. 9-12Washington Feb. 3-5Wisconsin Feb. 24-26

Location:

Fairbanks CC

TBA

Broomstones, MA

Midland, MI

Exmoor, IL

Duluth, MN

Seattle, WA

Grand Forks, ND

Seattle, WA

Waupaca, WI

Location:

Fairbanks, AK

Chicago, IL

Belfast, ME (w)

Cape Cod, MA (m)

Cleveland, OH

Exmoor, IL

Hibbing, MN

Kearns, UT

Fargo, ND

Seattle, WA

Centerville, WI

Location:

Fairbanks, AK

Chicago, IL

Nutmeg, CT

Detroit, MI

Chicago, IL

Two Harbors, MN

Seattle, WA

Grafton, ND

Seattle, WA

Clintonville, WI

Regional playdown schedule:

Hall of Fame nominations sought

Nominations are now being accepted for consid-

eration for the USA Curling Hall of Fame. Curlers

can be nominated in three categories: curler, builder

or curler/builder based on the candidate’s contribu-

tions to the sport.

Nomination paperwork can be found online at

www.usacurl.org/goodcurling. The deadline for sub-

missions is June 1, 2012. Submit supporting infor-

mation to the USA Curling office via e-mail to

Dawn Leurquin at [email protected], via

fax to 715-344-2279, or by mail to 5525 Clem’s

Way, Stevens Point, WI 54482. Selection is deter-

mined by the USCA Athlete/Curler Recognition

Committee.


ith the 2012 Men’s andWomen’s NationalChampionships in thePhiladelphia region

approaching fast, major corpora-tions are starting to take notice andjump on board with the fastestgrowing Olympic sport. This year’schampionships, being held just 15minutes outside of Philadelphia,provides a great opportunity to getmany different companies involvedin the event. IceWorks SkatingComplex, the home of the 2012Nationals, has great access to manydifferent areas in southeasternPennsylvania. Besides the greataction on the ice, there will bemany off-ice fan-friendly happen-ings going on prior to the event andthroughout the week of competi-tion.

Leading up to the 2012Nationals, Neumann University,located just five minutes awayfrom IceWorks Skating Complex,has partnered up with the 2012USA Curling Nationals andKurling.us. Between the three par-ties, an educational program hasbeen developed to teach the localcommunities in the Philadelphiaregion about the sport of curling.To do this, Local OrganizingCommittee (LOC)members will goout to differentschools and retire-ment homes usingKurling.us curlingkits that allowpeople to try curl-ing on either ahardwood or car-peted surface. The

“Learn To Curl” program will alsotake place at IceWorks SkatingComplex after “Learn To Skate”sessions beginning in December.

IceWorks Skating Complex hasrecently announced they will beholding live auditions for thesinging of the National Anthem.They will be holding these audi-tions during their annual Winterfestthat takes place Dec. 28-29. Allhopefuls must register online onIceWorks official website,www.iceworks.net. The winnerwill receive a prize package includ-ing the right to sing the NationalAnthem at opening ceremonies ofthe 2012 Nationals on Feb. 11.

Group rates are being offered togroups of 10 or more people thatorder tickets at the same time.These tickets will be discounted 20percent off of the face value of theticket. All group rates must bebooked through calling our LOC at610-497-2200, Ext. 117. The dis-count can be applied to all eventpasses, full-day passes, and indi-vidual sessions. In addition tooffering discounted tickets togroups, the 2012 Nationals hasteamed up with Enterprise CarRental, which has provided a dis-count code toward the rental of avehicle while attending the 2012Nationals. All athletes, officials,fans, and spectators are invited andencouraged to use this promo code

that can be found on theofficial event website,www.2012usacurling-nationals.com. Whilestaying in the

Philadelphia area, more than 20local hotels have offered discount-ed rates for fans to use. These rates,along with hotel information, canalso be found on the official 2012USA Curling NationalChampionship website.

Many of the event sponsors willbe involved daily off the ice in pro-viding our fans with a memorabletime. Most sponsors have donatedgive-away baskets and raffle itemsthat fans will have the chance towin. Local college and restaurantmascots are scheduled to appearthroughout the weeklong event tointeract with fans in our Fan Zone.This year’s Fan Zone will be some-thing to look forward to with musi-cal appearances by local talent,

interactive booths featuring ourevent sponsors, Nintendo WiiCurling, vendor tables by BroomsUp Curling Supplies, exclusiveevent merchandise, and a photocenter featuring daily event photosfrom Stephan’s SportsPhotography.

The 2012 USA CurlingNationals promises to be one of themost entertaining, fan-friendlyevents of the year. Don’t miss yourchance to be in Philadelphia to seethe best curling of the year. Ticketsare on sale now. For more informa-tion about everything pertaining tothe 2012 USA Curling NationalChampionships, visit our officialwebsite, www.2012usacurlingna-tionals.com.

Group rates make Philly in February affordable

The IceWorks Skating Complex in Aston, Penn., just outside of Philadelphia is set

to host the 2012 USA Curling National Championships Feb. 11-18. Get your tick-

ets today! Group rates are available to help offset the cost to get to Philly.

Submitted photo

W

by Anthony Lorusso, co-chair,

2012 National Championships

Continued from Page 1:

Both Team Dropkin andTeam Dudt finished theround robin with identical7-1 records, forcing thesudden-death tiebreakergame. After Dropkin settledfor a single in the first,Dudt (Malvern, Pa.) andteammates Katie Sigurdson(Grand Forks, N.D.),Cameron Vike (Malvern,Pa.) and Madeline Shaft(Grand Forks, N.D.) wouldreplicate that. However,that single would prove tobe the only point the teamwould score as Dropkin’steam rattled off ninestraight points, promptingDudt’s team to concede thewin.

Tied 1-1, Dropkin tookadvantage of a light drawby Dudt in the third end todraw for the deuce.Constant pressure withplenty of rocks in the housefrom the Dropkin rinkhaunted the Dudt team inthe fourth end. Dudt failedto execute on both of hisattempts in that end, result-ing in a steal of three forDropkin’s team. More pres-sure in the fifth end byDropkin’s team resulted inDudt coming up short withhis draw and four morepoints were stolen, whichproved too large of a leadfor the Pennsylvania/NorthDakota rink to overcome.

“If it couldn’t be us,we're glad that they won it.They deserve it,” Dudt said.“It still hurts, but it was agreat experience.”

Because this event hassuch a specific age groupfrom which to draw athletesfrom, many of the ninecompeting teams had tosearch long and hard forteammates born betweenJan. 1, 1994, and Dec. 31,1995. That became a focalpoint in the tiebreaker asDropkin’s teammateHowell was responsible forhelping the Dudt teamform. Dudt and Vike playin league with Howell andput them in contact withtheir teammates. The firsttime the girls met Dudt andVike was when they pickedthem up at the airport earli-er in the week. “It didn’teven cross my mind during

the game. Afterward I jokedwith Daniel that he wouldnever get another favor outof me. But, I was just jok-ing. I like it when everyonewho wants to play gets toplay,” Howell said.

The second-place resultwas more than the four-some imagined. “We wereseeded sixth and our goalwas to finish higher thanwe were seeded. Weaccomplished that andmore,” Sigurdson said.

All members of TeamDropkin are concentratingon qualifying for theupcoming Junior NationalChampionships as wellwith their respective men’sand women’s teams. Teammembers are spread outacross three curling clubs inthe Northeast, but that has-n’t stopped them from win-ning this season. Earlierthis fall, they captured theBlazing Leaves Bonspieltitle together at the Nutmeg

Curling Club inConnecticut.

Team USA will becoached by 2010 Olympicwomen’s coach WallyHenry (Beaver Dam, Wis.).

To find out more aboutthe 2012 Winter YouthOlympic Games, visitwww.innsbruck.2012.com.

Editor’s note: Thank you

to Ben Tucker for assisting

with post-game interviews

and game analysis.


www.united.com/usoc – Use promo code: 903AW

Nine teams competed to become USA’s first curling team to compete at the Winter Youth Olympic

Games. A round robin with a double knockout was played at the Grafton Curling Club.

Photo submitted by Mike Steinfeldt

Round robin standings:

Korey Dropkin 7-1Daniel Dudt 7-1Tyler Runing 6-2Mark Fenner 5-3Mackenzie Lank 4-4Alex Kitchens 3-5Sean Burchesky 2-6Paul Tharalson 2-6Russell Passmore 0-8

Tiebreaker line score:

Dudt 010 00x xx – 1*Dropkin 102 34x xx – 10*last stone in first end

Dropkin rink to represent USA at Youth Olympics

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Continued from Page 1:

Also bidding to host theTrials were Bemidji, Minn.;Green Bay, Wis.; SiouxCity, Iowa; and Willmar,Minn. Green Bay has beenselected to host the 2013USA Curling NationalChampionships at theCornerstone CommunityCenter.

“We are extremely excit-ed to welcome USACurling and the U.S.Olympic Committee toFargo for the 2014 Trials,”said Jon Kram, generalmanager of Scheels Arena.“We enjoyed having themhere for the national cham-pionships earlier this year,and we are looking forwardto working with them on

another successful eventthat will bring recognitionto the Fargo-Moorheadcommunity.”

A field of a maximumfive men’s teams and fourwomen’s teams will com-pete at the 2014 U.S.Olympic Team Trials forCurling for a chance to rep-resent the U.S. in Sochi.Teams will begin qualifyingfor the Olympic Trials thisseason, with the top twomen’s and women’s teamsat the conclusion of the2012 USA Curling NationalChampionships earning thefirst berths.

The 2014 OlympicWinter Games will takeplace Feb. 7-23, 2014, inSochi, Russia.

Olympic Trials to bestaged in Fargo

DAKOTA CURLING SUPPLIES

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Used rink equipment

– Four foot electric ice-scraper

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– Measures – Hacks – Stones

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arlier this fall,the final eightathletes eligi-ble to be part

of Team USA for the2012 World WheelchairChampionship wereselected after a three-day individual tryoutcompetition featuring 14athletes from across theUnited States held at theMadison Curling Clubin McFarland, Wis.

Athletes selected forthe final eight included2010 ParalympiansPatrick McDonald(Madison, Wis.) andJames Joseph (NewHartford, N.Y.) as wellas Penny Greely (GreenBay, Wis.), DavidPalmer (Mashpee,Mass.), Bob Prenoveau(Chittenango, N.Y.),Meghan Lino (EastFalmouth, Mass.), TimKelly (Rockford, Ill.)and Gerald Wynne Jr. (Plover, Wis.).

The eight athletes participated inseveral highly competitive wheelchaircurling events in November to helpdetermine Team USA’s five final ath-letes. Selected to represent the U.S. atthe 2012 World Wheelchair CurlingChampionship Feb. 18-25 inChuncheon City, South Korea, were

McDonald, Palmer, Joseph, Greely andKelly.

The selection was based on individ-ual skills testing, game participationand strategy assessment as well asinterviews to determine team/playercompatibility.

The team is coached by SteveBrown and assisted by Rusty Schieber.Marc Deperno serves as team leader.

Two-time U.S. Paralympian Jimmy Joseph delivers a stone

during competition last year at the World Wheelchair

Championship. Joseph made his sixth national wheelchair

curling team.

Photo courtesy of the World Curling Federation

USA’s team for Wheelchair Worlds set

by Terry Kolesar,

Editor

E

USCA Head Ice Technologist Dave Staveteig is in needof approximately 10 volunteers to assist with the icepreparation for the 2012 USA Curling Men’s andWomen’s Nationals in Philadelphia (IceWorks Arena,Aston, Pa.). The preparations will begin late Mondaynight, Feb. 6, and continue through Friday, Feb. 10. Oncecompetition begins, ice making volunteers will be neededeach day from about 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., through thechampionship games Feb. 18.

You may register on the Philadelphia Nationals websiteat http://2012usacurlingnationals.com/volunteer or send ane-mail stating the dates and times you are available toRick Patzke at USA Curling, [email protected].

There are many other volunteer opportunities availablein several areas including officiating, hospitality,ushers/gate attendants, stats, media and more.

Icemaking help neededin Philly for Nationals



Debbie McCormick – OlympianUS and World Champion

To order any Goldline product in the US, contact me, Debbie McCormick, at 608 212 6047 or [email protected].

I also do “House” calls with the Goldline mobile pro shop.

Please contact me to arrange a visit to your club.Debbie McCormick web site: www.goldlinemobile.com

Team Kevin Martin – Olympic Gold medalists Brier and World Champions

The same equipment used by champions is available to you.



Montgomery rink wins Senior Bonspiel

he snow and icehad melted and thepower was backon! The autumn

weather returned and madefor a beautiful USWCASenior Women’s Bonspielin Bridgeport, Conn.

The 30th AnnualBonspiel was held at theNutmeg Curling Club Nov.9-13. Nutmeg is also cele-brating its 50th Anniversarythis year. Twenty-fourteams from across theUSWCA’s four regions par-ticipated.

The Montgomery Rink

from Mayfield CurlingClub was the champion ofthe bonspiel. Skipped byDee Montgomery, PaulaForsythe played third,Kathy Collins second, andthe lead was Leslie Cooke.

Opening ceremonieswere held at the club onWednesday evening, withthe first rock thrown bycurrent USWCA PresidentMaureen Guay, who waslater seen on the winner’spodium for the FourthEvent.

When teams were notcurling they were off to thelocal aquarium, aboard anold whaling ship in Mystic,shopping, walking the

beach, enjoying the localseafood and catching-upwith friends from across thecountry.

The members of theNutmeg Curling Club madeexcellent hosts for thisyear’s event. Eydie Savett,head official for the event,kept the six-draw days run-ning on time, resolved rulesquestions quickly, and gen-erally kept the peace.

Next year’s USWCASenior Women’s Bonspielwill be held at the MayfieldCurling Club. Please checkwith your club representa-tive or visit our website atwww.uswca.org for moreinformation.

USWCA Senior Bonspiel champions (l-r) Dee Montgomery,

Paula Forsythe, Leslie Cooke and Kathy Collins.

by Bobbie Stoll, 2011 Senior

Women’s Bonspiel Chair

T

First EventWinner: Mayfield Curling Cub

Dee MontgomeryPaula ForsytheKathy CollinsLeslie Cooke

Runner-up: Philadelphia Curling ClubRosemary MorganJo HessMaggie McMahonPat Jolly

Second EventWinner: Kettle Moraine

Judy MaierCarol StevensonPhyllis (Flip) FlemmingMary Rasmussen

Runner-up: Ardsley Curling Club Mieko TakiguchiKaren LuckeyKris LiddlePippa Broadhurst

Third EventWinner: Albany Curling Club

Marilyn GoldsteinWendy BergerJoy CampisanoRuth Horton

Runner-up: The Country ClubAnne RobertsonRuth JolliffeMary Kitses (Broomstones)Carol Friscia

Fourth EventWinner: Arden Hills Curling Club

Myrna MacKinnonMaureen GuayMichelle ChristiansonMolly Jensen

Runner-up: Nutmeg Curling ClubJennifer Stannard

Florence Springstead (Albany)Jayne BeattieHeide Follin

30th Annual USWCA Senior Women’s Bonspiel

Results:

he USWCA is sponsoring threeregional junior bonspiels this sea-son in order to promote interclubcurling among juniors. The

USWCA will provide winner and runner-up pins for four events as well as a travel-ing trophy for the first-event winners.

This season’s junior bonspiels will beheld at the following clubs: • The Duluth Curling Club in Duluth,Minn., will host the Bert Payne JuniorBonspiel, Dec. 9-11. Contact: HeidiBauman at [email protected].• The Exmoor Country Club, in HighlandPark, Ill., will host a junior bonspiel onJan. 21-22. Contact: Russ Brown [email protected].• The Cape Cod Curling Club in Falmouth,Mass., will host a junior bonspiel on Jan.27-29.

USWCA bonspiels are open to teams ofjuniors from the United States (under 21)

and from Canada (under 19). Teams areopen format (any combination of malesand females).

Bonspiel participants do not have tobelong to USWCA-member clubs. Teamscan enter a USWCA junior bonspiel fromany region. Teams may also play in morethan one USWCA bonspiel in a single sea-son.

Travel assistance is available for thoseteams that travel more than 150 miles bycar or more than 300 miles by bus, rail, orair. More information regarding travelreimbursement is available on the USWCAwebsite, www.uswca.org.

The USWCA is looking for memberclubs who are willing to host junior bon-spiels in the coming seasons. The host clubcan elect to have the USWCA sponsor anexisting ’spiel; it is not necessary to add anadditional event to the calendar.

For more information on hosting aUSWCA-sponsored bonspiel in 2012 orbeyond, please contact me [email protected].

ince its founding in1998, the Women’sCurling Develop-ment Fund has

grown steadily. Its purposeis to motivate and supportwomen at the grassrootslevel with financial grants.Through the years, it hasfunded the cost of ice rentalat a five-year and-underbonspiel, purchased timeclocks for use at USWCANational Bonspiels, andhelped the coach of a juniorwomen’s team attend acoach development camp. Ithas also compensated travelexpenses for juniorwomen’s teams to attendthe Optimist U18 event, aswell as other women’steams.

To increase the incomeand awareness of this Fund,Peggy Rotton from theUtica Curling Club gra-ciously offered to reissue

the “Chick Pin.” The nameoriginated in her club fromthe label given somewomen curlers by theirmale peers, who were wait-ing to take to the ice afterthe women finished! Thispin has proven very popularand can be purchased for$5, with all the proceedsgoing to the WCDF. Toorder, see details on theUSWCA website,www.uswca.org.

The Fund welcomesdonations of any size, andall are tax deductible. Thesegifts may be given in honorof someone or in memori-am. All such gifts will beformally acknowledged.Information about dona-tions or grant applicationsare available on theUSWCA website.

If you are interested inlearning more about theWomen’s CurlingDevelopment Fund, pleasecontact Ann [email protected].

Donate today to the USWCA

Women’s CurlingDevelopment Fund

by Anne Robertson, Chair,

USWCA WCDF Committee

S

USWCA set to sponsorthree junior ’spiels this yearby Leslie Armstrong, USWCA Junior Bonspiel

Chairwoman

T

Calling all curlers with five or fewer years of experience

ll new or newer curlersthroughout the United Statesare encouraged to participatein the USWCA-sponsored

bonspiels held specifically for curlerswith less experience. The Women’sChallenges are comprised of women’steams and the Open Challenges mayhave teams made up of any combina-tion. The only qualification for eitherevent is that the curlers must have five

or fewer years of experience.The USWCA provides a traveling

trophy for each bonspiel, and specialpins are presented to winners and run-ners-up in all four events of each event.

To find out more about the Five-Yearand-Under Bonspiel in your area, pleasecheck the USWCA website atwww.uswca.org and find the link underUSWCA bonspiels. For more informa-tion and guidelines, or if you would liketo find out how your club can host afuture challenge, contact me [email protected].

by Karen Ronk, Chairwoman,

Five-Year-and-Under Bonspiel

A

Key: O–Open; X–Mixed; XD–Mixeddoubles; M–Men’s; W–Women’s;S–Senior; Wc–WheelchairC–Cashspiel; J–Junior; St–Stick

Events are listed Friday throughSunday but some may begin earlier.Check the club’s website for moreinformation.

DEC. 2–4

Alpine, WI MAnchorage, AK–Christmas OAppleton, WI–Holly XCenterville, WI JChicago, IL–Old Boys MColumbus, OH OGranite, WA–Holiday OItasca, MN–Mixed 5 & Under XMadison, WI–Cashspiel OCMankato, MN JNashua, NH XNorfolk, CT–Calder MRice Lake, WI–College ORochester, NY–Highland OWausau, WI–Stick ’Spiel St

DEC. 8–10

Bemidji, MN JDetroit, MI–Sr. One Day SMDuluth, MN–International MWExmoor, IL–Continental MItasca, MN–2 on 2 MdMadison, WI JPardeeville, WI StSchenectady, NY–10 & Under MSt. Paul, MN–Jack McCann MWaupaca, WI–Senior Men’s SM

DEC. 16–18

Curl Mesabi, MN –Cashspiel MWCDEC. 31

Charlotte, NC–Pajama Curl O2012

JAN. 6–8

Appleton, WI MChicago, IL–Gloamin’ Gael WDetroit, MI–International MDuluth, MN–Bruce Bennett MEau Claire, WI OItasca, MN MLodi, WI MMilwaukee, WI–Kiltie XPhiladelphia, PA–Cracked Bell ORochester, NY–Death by Choc. WSt. Paul, MN–Cold Cash WWausau, WI–Highlanders WWilliston Basin, ND OWillmar, MN O

JAN. 13–15

Broomstones, MA MChesapeake, MD–Funspiel OChicago, IL MClintonville, WI MDetroit, MI–5 & Under WHeather, MN XItasca, MN JMarshfield, WI WRice Lake, WI–Steinspiel XUtica, NY–Mitchell MWausau, WI–Tietge HS J

JAN. 16–21

Heather, MN–Burns MHeather, MN–All American W

JAN. 17–18

Itasca, MN SMJAN. 20–22

Anchorage, AK–Town Square OBlackhawk, WI XCapital, ND–Outdoor OCenterville, WI–Senior Mixed SXDuluth, MN–Bert Payne JGranite, WA–25 & Under OMayfield, OH WNorfolk, CT–Senior Mixed SXPlainfield, NJ–Thrifty OPortage, WI JSchenectady, NY–Empire St. OSuperior, WI XTwo Harbors, MN M

Utica, NY JJAN. 27–29

Albany, NY–Governor’s Bowl MArlington, WI MCape Cod, MA JCleveland, OH XGranite, WA WKettle Moraine, WI–Badger WSt. Paul, MN–Winter Carnival XTwo Harbors, MN OWaukesha, WI–Outdoor OWaupaca, WI M

FEB. 3–5

Alpine, WI XAnchorage, AK OCenterville, WI WDetroit, MI–Ladies One Day WKettle Moraine, WI XMankato, MN MMilwaukee, WI MPardeeville, WI–Watermelon ORice Lake, WI MSchenectady, NY OSt. Paul, MN–Ranger OWausau, WI–Badger State MWJO

FEB. 10–12

Centerville, WI XItasca, MN–Sweethearts XLakes, MN–Vern Turner OMadison, WI XMarshfield, WI MNorfolk, CT–Valentine OPardeeville, WI–Am. Legion ORacine, WI XSt. Paul, MN–Kyle Satrom JWausau, WI MWauwatosa, WI O

FEB. 17–19

Detroit, MI XDuluth, MN–USWCA WGrand Forks, ND WGreen Bay, WI MHeather, MN MKettle Moraine, WI SMMarshfield, WI–Youth/Adult OPlainfield, NJ JSt. Paul, MN–USWCA WUtica, NY–Cobb XWaltham, IL MWauwatosa, WI SM

FEB. 21–22

Chicago, IL–Heather WFEB. 24–26

Albany, NY WAnchorage, AK OCenterville, WI MClintonville, WI–Couples XCook County, MN XGrand Forks, ND–CanAm JHeather, MN WKettle Moraine, WI XLewiston, MI OMadison, WI–Curl v. Cancer OMankato, MN WMayfield, OH–Evergreen XPardeeville, WI–Red Baron MSt. Paul, MN–International MUtica, NY –College O

mARCH 2–4

Appleton, WI StCurl Mesabi, MN XDetroit, MI–5 & Under OGrafton, ND WGranite, WA–5 & Under OKettle Moraine, WI JLa Crosse, WI–Mississippi OMarshfield, WI–Lobstein XMedford, WI–Alumni ONashua, NH–Granite State MPardeeville, WI–Spring Fling OPlainfield, NJ–Stone MSchenectady, NY JSuperior, WI–Northwest MTri-City, WI MTwo Harbors, MN–5 & Under OWaltham, IL X

Williston Basin, ND XmARCH 9–11

Centerville, WI–Funspiel OColumbus, OH XCook County, MN OGrafton, ND MGranite, WA–USWCA WGreen Bay, WI–Shamrock WPardeeville, WI–Alumni OPortage, WI–Alumni OSchenectady, NY–Gordon Em. MStevens Point, WI MWauwatosa, WI MWillmar, MN O

mARCH 13–14

Itasca, MN–Senior Mixed SXmARCH 16–18

Centerville, WI SMCurl Mesabi, MN–Springspiel MDuluth, MN–Dunlop XGrand Forks, ND MGranite, WA JGreen Bay, WI JHeather, MN JKettle Moraine, WI MLodi, WI XNutmeg, CT–Golden Handle OSuperior, WI JUtica, NY–Gordon InternationalM

mARCH 23–25

Arlington, WI SMBlackhawk, WI MDuluth, MN–House of Hearts OGrafton, ND XItasca, MN OPotomac, MD–Cherry Blossom O

mARCH 29–APRIl 1

Granite, WA OGreen Bay, WI XMankato, MN XPetersham, MA–Spring Fling OStevens Point, WI XTwo Harbors, MN X

APRIl 1–6

Potomac, MD–Rotary MAPRIl 13–15

Anchorage, AK–Spring ‘Spiel OPlainfield, NJ–Bonsqueal ORochester, NY O

APRIl 20–22

Coyotes, AZ–Desert Ice OmAY 4–6

Dallas-Fort Worth, TX OmAY 18–20

Park City, UT–Utah Open OmAY 25–27

San Francisco, CA OJUNE 8–10

Granite, WA–Summerspiel OJUNE 29–JUlY 1

Hollywood, CA–Blockbuster OJUlY 5–8

Pittsburgh, PA–Tropicurl OJUlY 12–15

Cape Cod, MA XGreen Bay, WI–Tailgate O

JUlY 15–18

Cape Cod, MA WJUlY 19–22

Cape Cod, MA MCapital, ND O

JUlY 23–26

Cape Cod, MA WcAUg. 3–5

Triangle, NC–Carolina Classic OGreen Bay, WI SM

AUg. 10–12

Charlotte, NC–Grits ‘n Granite OAUg. 31–SEPT. 2

Vacaville, CA–The Crush ODon’t see your event listed or it’s list-

ed incorrectly? Send bonspiel dates

and corrections to Terry Kolesar,

[email protected]. The next

deadline for submitting bonspiel

results is Jan. 20.



Thomas l. Harms

Thomas L. Harms, 65, ofPengilly, Minn., passedaway Sept. 28, 2011, at hishome after battling cancer.A three-time U.S. seniornational champion (2010,2009, 2006), Harms wonthe world senior curlingchampionship title in 2010after winning silver medalsin his two previous appear-ances. He was a member ofthe Hibbing Curling Clubin Hibbing, Minn.

Harms joined the U.S.

Marine Corps while in highschool and served inVietnam from 1966 to1967. He attended St.Cloud State University,earning a teaching degree inhealth and physical educa-tion, and received his mas-ter’s degree in administra-tion from the University ofMinnesota-Duluth. Harmsand his wife moved to theIron Range in 1972, wherehe worked in the HibbingSchool District for 32years.

USA Curling partners with PSA for event support

SA Curling hasentered a long-term partnershipagreement with

PSA, an organizationunique in its ability to offerturnkey sports, conferenceand special event support,to enhance the participantand fan experience at USACurling National Champ-ionships and other events.

Beginning with selectevents in the 2011-12 sea-son, PSA will provide:

• Support with venue and

hotel contracting;• An online housing reg-

istration and managementsystem;

• A designated “hi-touch”reservation and supportsolution;

• On-site event supportand enhancements;

• Marketing and promo-tional support to generateincreased community inter-est;

• Enhancement of effortsin revenue generation,sponsor acquisition, graphicdesign and brand integra-tion.

“We are committed toserving our partners by tai-

loring available resourcesto their specific needs,”said Kurt Aichele, chiefstrategy officer of PSA.“We are aware of the chal-lenges faced by many of theNational Governing Bodies.Having the opportunity tocome alongside USACurling and grow our sup-port of the athletes andfamilies within the Olympicmovement is exciting, espe-cially given the daily sacri-fices they make to competeat that level.”

Based in ColoradoSprings, Colo., and Reston,Va., and with key personnellocated across the USA and

servicing clients in morethan 50 countries acrossevery major continent, PSAis uniquely positioned toprovide support and proac-tive consulting in all areasof event development andmanagement.

“Partnership with PSAprovides leverage to USACurling as we continue topursue world-class experi-ences for our athletes bothdomestically and abroad,and for fans attendingnational championships,”said Rick Patzke, chiefoperating officer of USACurling.

About PSA: PSA is an

events, communicationsand program managementcompany celebrating its25th year in business thatoffers innovative end-to-end solutions tailored tomeet the needs of its part-ners. PSA has effectivelybrought passion, perspec-tive and recognized creativ-ity in delivering extraordi-nary support to meet itscustomers’ demands.

Central to PSA is a com-mitment to building gen-uine relationships, whichtranslates to exemplary cus-tomer service to its growingbase of federal, commercialand sports partners.

U

by Terry Kolesar,

Editor

Have some extra time and want to volunteeryour skills at the USA Curling national office inStevens Point? We are currently looking for vol-unteers to assist with a variety of projects fromwarehouse cleanup and organizing; filing; gener-al office help; and assisting with Quickbooksentries. If interested in sharing your time with usto help the sport of curling grow, please contactChristy Hering at [email protected] may also fill out the volunteer questionnaireonline at www.usacurl.org/usacurl.

The Lake Region Curling Club in Devils Lake,N.D., will host the following Instruction andTraining Clinics in December:

• USCA Level I Instructor Clinic: Dec. 16, 5-9:30 p.m.

• USCA Level II Instructor Clinic: Dec.17, 9a.m.-3 p.m.

The fee for each clinic is $35. Jon Mielke willbe the instructor.

• Skills Camp: Dec.17, 4-9 p.m. Beginner and intermediate curlers, adults and

juniors are encouraged to attend. The instructorswill be Jon Mielke, Dave Jensen and RogerSmith. Videotaped analysis of delivery will bedone by Dave. The instructors have conductedthis camp at various locations across the U.S. andreceived outstanding reviews.

To register or for more information, please con-tact Jeff Kitchens at [email protected], [email protected], or 701-350-0236.

Complete flyers for both clinics can be viewedonline at www.usacurl.org/goodcurling.

Lake Region CurlingClub to host clinics

Volunteers needed at national office



Advertising disclaimer“None of the advertisers in this publication are

agents of the U.S. Curling Association, which hereby disclaims any liability for acts of any of the advertisers.”

granite

OpenThe Granite Curling Club Autumn

’Spiel took place Nov. 4-6. Here are theresults: 1EW—Granite: Tom Violette, LeonRomaniuk, Paul Lyttle, Duane Rutan1ERU—Granite: Ariel Krasik-Geiger,Cory Yalowicki, Patrick Connolly,Mitch Hymowitz2EW—Exmoor: Russ Armstrong, JamesPleasants, Rich Lepping, Bob Dixon2ERU—Duncan, BC: Scott Macdonald,Christine Macdonald, Keith Thomson,Christine Fishwick3EW—Granite: Mike Calcagno, ChrisPleasants, Peter Sommer, SteveLundeen3ERU—Granite: Brady Clark, CristinClark, Philip Tilker, Bev Walter

Kettle moraine

Women’sThe Kettle Moraine Fall Fling took

place Oct. 27-28 in Hartland, Wis. Hereare the results:1EW—Madison: Star Pfiffner, KathyBodine, Julia Boles, Nicole Pfiffner1ERU—Kettle Moraine: Bonnie Dixon,Carol Stevenson, Kathy Hyslop, TessMunich2EW—Milwaukee: Barb Hamm, LindaGoetsett, Linda Even, MaryBethGoelzer2ERU—Milwaukee: Roanne Barnes,Joanne Moll, Susan Ryan, JulieStuhlmacher3EW—Exmoor: Tracy Lawless,Georgia West, Lori Mountford, DebMoulton3ERU—Madison: Cindy Godar, BethLepping, Jennifer Stannard, MaureenGuay4EW—Superior: Millie Buege, CarolLisdahl, Chris Helding, Stella Geason4ERU—Kettle Moraine: MicheleHeinze, Clara Seidemann, MelvaSabatke, Lisa Weatherbee5EW—Milwaukee: Sandy Arndt, PegJacobsen, Pat Van Till, Pat Towers5ERU—Wauwatosa: Roylee Pflughoeft,Martha Pflughoeft, Jill Gaertmer, JanePlowman

Belfast

OpenThe second Annual Maine-iac ’Spiel

was held Nov. 11-13 at the BelfastCurling Club in Belfast, Maine. Hereare the results:1EW—Lennoxville, Quebec: SteveMcPherson, Marty Rourke, AndrewHatch, Jeff Bailes1ERU—Belfast: Bart Read, TerryFancy, Jaye Martin, Douglas Coffin2EW—The Country Club: Jim Ladd,Lee Ladd, Lissa England, SandyEngland2ERU—Petersham: John Griffiths,Faith Griffiths, Dave Conaghan, JeanneConaghan3EW—Potomac: Becca Erickson, ToddHumora, Laura Barrantes, Jeff Erickson3ERU—Fundy, New Brunswick: IvanKeirstead, Leo Sheehy, Jon MichaelKeirstead, Chris Keirstead4EW—Potomac: Melvin Shaw,Courtney Shaw, Jeremy Vandenhouten,Catherine Coslick4ERU—Broomstones: John Buscaglia,Maria Spitzak, Paul Bernier, SharonQuill

midland

OpenThe Midland Fall Open Bonspiel

took place Oct. 21-23 in Midland,Mich.: Here are the results:1EW–Burlington, Ontario: JudyMcIntyre, Wayne McIntyre, JoanMcCarrel, Hugh McCarrel1ERU–Exmoor: Pat Zimmerman, ChrisSchallmo, Tammie Schallmo, JohnBeckwith2EW–Midland: Charles Vendley, DaveHinson, Tom Lasich, Ken Burdett2ERU–Midland: Steve King, ScottKing, Matt Whaley, Scott Strouse3EW–Copper Country: Paul Eisenman,Reese Lassila, Gary Lassila, GordonMaclean3ERU–Midland: Ryan Quinn, DaveJezowski, Michelle DeBuck, ChrisDoremus4EW–Midland: Janice Hawrelak, SeanLoughran, Brenda Mason, Pete Waters

4ERU–Detroit: Jenny Zukowski, ToddSchweitzer, Christy Schweitzer, BenLevy

Nutmeg

OpenThe Blazing Leaves Bonspiel took

place Oct. 7-9 in Bridgeport, Conn.Here are the results:1EW—Broomstones: Korey Dropkin,Sarah Anderson, Thomas Howell,Taylor Anderson1ERU—Potomac: Michael Fry, DawnFindlay, Michael Campbell, SusanArmiger2EW—Nutmeg: Jim Meinhold, AllanAlward, Pamela Moan, Terrie Allen,Julie Pasnau2ERU—Broomstones: Emily Walker,Emma Annand, Laura Murphy, KatieSullivan3EW—Nutmeg I: Joel Leneker, J.Michael Kriz, Kyle Slover, Nigel Lucas3ERU—Oklahoma: JonathanHavercroft, Michael Nordquist, MattBertonica, Chris Conley4EW—Broomstones: Keith Dropkin,Rachel Howell, Wayne Anderson,Abbey Suslavich4ERU—Philadelphia: Nancy Gerritsenvan der Hoop, Jeff Hannon, RobertKwan, Carolyn Lloyd

Plainfield

OpenThe Founders Bonspiel took place

Nov. 3-6 at the Plainfield Curling Clubin South Plainfield, N.J. Here are theresults:1EW—Plainfield: Ivo Petrov, MarkMooney, Don Arsenault, Brady Gould1ERU—Pittsburgh: Rich Ashford, SeanMurray, Bob Graham, Ian Webb2EW—Plainfield: John DeJong, KarenDeJong, Barb Klug, Emily DeJong,MickeyMangold2ERU—Plainfield: Roger Bajorek, JimMorton, John Pantina, TJ Cofield3EW—Plainfield: Aaron (Michael)Dubberley, Michael Fry, MichaelCampbell, Melanie(Michael) Dubberley3ERU—Plainfield: Link Heffner, PattyHeffner, Charlie Rebick, Linda Pecsi4EW—Nutmeg: Jeff Hannon/Bob Fox,Louisa Bartok/Sally MacKenzie, SariJoNiles,Andrea Stepnosky4ERU—Plainfield: Janice Langanke,Ashley Lawreck, Nina Reiniger, NicoleArsenault

Schenectady

Women’sThe Carosella Bonspiel took place

Nov. 4-6 at the Schenectady (N.Y.)Curling Club. Here are the results: 1EW—Nutmeg: Jennifer Stannard,Naida Leslie, Jayne Beattie, Terrie Allen1ERU—Schenectady: DorothySzymaszek, Lisa Nierdka, KathyBrown, Liz Lansing2EW—Albany: Martha Naber, MeganBoyak, Emma Foster, Kathy SipznerWalsh2ERU—Kayuta Lake: Karen Rogowski,Heather Swiercz, Julie Chanatry, LizNolan3EW—Albany: Marilyn Goldstein,Wendy Berger, Joy Campisano, RuthHorton3ERU—Schenectady: Linda Austin,Laura Knussman, Amy Machold, BarbKimmey4EW—Schenectady: Lori Millet, LisaFilkins, Eileen Kelliher, Sue Adair4ERU—Green Mountain: AmandaVickerson, Connie Dollinger, BlytheLeonard, Kathleen Richardson

Seattle

men’sThe 5th Annual Seattle Man Spiel

took place Oct. 21-23 at the GraniteCurling Club in Seattle. Here are theresults: 1EW—British Columbia: Ken Watson,Dale Hockley, Dale Reibin1ERU—Seattle: Rich Burmeister, GlennAllan, Chris Pleasants, Jon Chartrandand Zach Radmer2EW—Seattle: John Rasmussen, DoughKauffman, Liam Barksdale, Bill Rugen2ERU—Seattle: Jake Vukich, TomViolette, Luc Violette, Kyle Lorvick

3EW—Seattle: Sean Beighton, AndrewErnst, Sam Galey, Mac Guy3ERU—Royal City, BC: Randy Balfourrink

Wenatchee

OpenThe Desert Rocks Bonspiel took

place Sept. 17-19 in Wenatchee, Wash.Here are the results:1EW—Evergreen: Arnie Iwanick, BobThibodeaux, Peter Sommer, JeremyDinsel1ERU—Castlegar (B.C.): MikeGerrand, Roger Carlson, Dustin Ford,Shawn Biln2EW—Penticton (B.C.): Gary Stene,Cidy Fisher, Del Haidenger, SamNiddery2ERU—Plainfield: Dean Roth, SarahWolfe, Don Wolfe, Anne Beam3EW—Creston (B.C.): Terry O’Connor,Bunty Allan, Richard Allan, JoanO’Connor3ERU—Wenatchee: Marc Buchanan,Dave Buchanan, Marc Keefer, CaliBuchanan, Leigh Pobst

Rice lake

OpenThe Rice Lake Tune-Up Bonspiel

took place Sept. 23-25 in Rice Lake,Wis. Here are the results: 1EW—Madison: Mark Fenner, GraceGabower, Chloe Pahl, Wally Henry,Kevin Fenner1ERU—Duluth: Aileen Sormunen,Courtney George, Amanda Mclean,Miranda Solem2EW—Duluth: Phil DeVore, PeteWestberg, Seppo Sormunen, LucyDeVore2ERU—St. Paul: Margie Smith, DebbieDexter, Shelly Kosal, Rachel Orvik3EW—Wausau: Evan Jensen, ZachTaylor, Ben Miller, Kelly Traska3ERU—Duluth: George Host, MaryBroman, Karen Milbrath, Renee Meyers

Schenectady

men’sThe Achilles Bonspiel took place

Nov. 17-19 at the Schenectady (N.Y.)Curling Club. Here are the results:1EW—Broomstones: Brian Fink, MikePlatt, Brian Costello, Eric Haase1ERU—Schenectady 4: Dion Warr,Marek Rzonca, Dave Hooper, RobKlees2EW—Utica 2: Bob Caine, PatCostello, Kip Wagner, Jerry Stevens2ERU—Schenectady 6: Brian Damon,Mike Stefanik, Pete Dreschler, ArtMerkley3EW—Brockville: Bob Chick, DaveFink, Jon Penny, Doug Beauchamp3ERU—Schenectady 7: Bob Samaniuk,Brandon Alois, Dan Muller, NathanAlois4EW—Glenmore 1: Larry South, KeithDenver, John Konczynski, JackFitzgerald4ERU—Schenectady 2: Dan Machold,Charlie Brown, Rich Gonyeau, ScottBrennan5EW—Utica 1: Brian Moore, DaleJones, Mike DeGironomo, Jim Schafer5ERU—Glenmore 2: Jimmy Savard,Vlad Freud, Rick Akerly, Dan Stuhlman6EW—Plainfield: Don Baird, BillPeskoff, Jason Valetutto, Karl Anderson6ERU—Schenectady 3: Pat Fitzgerald,Fred Mackintosh, Jeff Mayott, DanNavratil

mcCall

OpenThe 2011 McCall Rocktoberfest

took place Oct. 1-2. Here are theresults:1EW—Madison: Mark Swandby,Richard Maskel, Leland Rich, DuaneRutan1ERU—Ogden: Charles Taggart, TimIrish, Ben Womack, Mark Ruby2EW—Wine Country: TC Altus, EricHazard, David Markowitz, John Tryon2ERU—Evergreen: Arnie Iwanick,Dave Eaton, Stephan Hart, Susan Eaton3EW—Lethbridge, AB: Charles Funk,Merwyn Nash, Lucinda Tutterow, BrettStauts3ERU—Coyotes: Michael Siggins, JeffBaird, Brian Walsh, Tracy Drumond

Winners of Schenectady’s Carosella Bonspiel were (l-r) Jennifer

Stannard, Naida Leslie, Jayne Beattie and Terrie Allen.

Winners of the Maine-iac Spiel were Quebec’s team of (l-r) Steve

McPherson, Marty Rourke, Andrew Hatch and Jeff Bailes.

Winners of the Desert Rocks Bonspiel were (l-r) Jeremy Dinsel, Peter

Sommer, Bob Thibodeaux and Arnie Iwanick (skip).

Winners of the Kettle Moraine Fall Fling were (l-r) Star Pfiffner,

Kathy Bodine, Julia Boles and Nicole Pfiffner.

Winners of McCall’s Rocktoberspiel were Mark Swandby,

Richard Maskel, Leland Rich and Duane Rutan.

I am old enough forSeniors, but this joke iseven older than me:

A tourist is lost in NewYork City. He sees a manwalking briskly who isobviously a musician andasks him, “How do I get toCarnegie Hall?” The musi-cian sadly shakes his headand says, “Practice, prac-tice, practice.”

Today’s question is,“Tuck, how do I get moreout of my curling game andhave even more fun?” Theanswer is ... practice.

Proficiency is its ownreward. Golf is more fun ifyou can hit it far and downthe middle of the fairway.That takes practice.Basketball is more fun ifyou can swish a sweetjumper. That takes practice.I assume these to be true. Ican’t do either, and I hateboth games.

I do know, however, thatproficiency is its ownreward. Being pretty goodat something just feels bet-ter than struggling. Gettinggood is fun, and that meanssome practice. Here aresome thoughts on practic-ing:

The first thing that youneed to know about practic-ing is that it won’t reallytake all that much. Veryfew curlers throw any prac-tice rocks at all ... and itshows. Just a few rockseach week will make a hugedifference. If you curl twogames a week and throw 32practice rocks, you willsoon be one of the bettercurlers in your club.

In a perfect world, youwould throw your practicerocks to somebody holdinga broom. In this imaginaryUtopia, the person holdingthe broom would be someLevel 99 coach like JonMielke, Dave Jensen, JohnBenton or Scotty Baird. (Idon’t know what levelscoaches have nor knowwhat the levels signify. Ijust patiently wait for theday when every curling clubhas teachers just like golfclubs have golf pros.)

The problem with prac-ticing alone is that badhabits can becomeingrained. Do NOT let thisstop you or even let it slowyou down. Here is a prom-ise: If you shoot twoleagues a week and throw aton of practice rocks whilePatti Lank shoots oneleague and never throwspractice rocks, you willsoon be better than PattiLank. (It’s a super safepromise for me to make.Patti is pretty religiousabout getting in her practicerocks. It shows. Somedayyou might get better than

Lank, but you are not goingto out-work her.)

I will leave most of thepractice drills to the coachesto write about in theircolumns, but here are somethoughts about practicingthat might help you:

The worst thing aboutpracticing is getting decentice. It is a fair amount ofwork to prep a sheet. Thebest practice ice you’ll everget is when you hop on asheet right after two teamsplay a short game. So youshould show up for a leaguenight’s last draw and hopethat one of the games is ablowout that ends early.There is almost always atleast one blowout. All com-petitive teams should sched-ule their Team Practices atthe end of a league night ...or somebody has to workhard to get a sheet reallynice.

Far too many practicerocks go the full length ofthe ice. If you have some-body to hold the broom foryou, they can be just one-quarter of the way down thesheet. That makes it somuch more effective injudging if you are sliding tothe broom and releasing therock cleanly to the line. It isa far more efficient use ofyour time. It is quicker, andit is better. It is also not myidea. It is how Kevin Martinpractices.

Practicing draw weight isa tough thing, particularlyon heavy practice ice ... butnot impossible. Throw adraw down the middle, anddon’t worry where it endsup ... even if it hogs by 20feet. Then try to throw one2 feet shorter ... then anoth-er one two feet short of thatone ... and another one 2feet short of that one.When you throw them back,toss a nice draw and don’tcare where it lands. Thentry to go around it by a cou-ple of feet ... and then goaround that one ... then adda couple of feet to the nextone. I’ve tried this, and

found that it reallyimproved my touch. Again,not my idea. Scott Ediegave me this tip for practic-ing touch on heavy ice.

So practice, my friends.You will get better quicklyand enjoy our sport evenmore. There are a few luckysouls, like me, who love topractice. When sittingaround and getting bored,nothing sounded better thangetting up to the club andthrowing a few hits. Thatmade it easier for me and,because I started so late inlife, I needed that edge.

For the good

of the game:

I’m seeing more of ourcompetitive teams playingon the cash circuit and play-ing more often. I can’t tellyou how much this mightmean to the future of curl-ing in the USA. As theseplayers grow and improve,they come back to theirhome clubs and we all getbetter. Some nations withvery few curlers, however,are keeping a team or twoon the cash circuit full-time.These teams show up daysbefore the ’spiel to practiceon the ice and get acquaint-ed with the rocks. I firmlybelieve that depth andgrowth are the keys to ourfuture, but these fundedteams are difficult to dealwith in the near term.

Winnipeg’s historic 125thMCA bonspiel is only 13months away.

David Garber (who wasRick Patzke’s predecessoras Czar Of AmericanCurling) has a column inthis publication. In the lastedition, he jests that RickPatzke’s and TerryKolesar’s talents wouldmove them up in the world.Should that dark day everhappen, he proudly prog-nosticated that I would takeover and run curling. Alas,Garber knows tons aboutcurling in the USA ... buthis predictive powers palein comparison. Rick, justlike David before him, hasevery dues-paying-curler inthe nation as a boss. I don’tdo well with bosses. I was askip. Sorry, Garber, butya’ll can’t afford me.

Take it from a guy whocan’t play anymore ... PlayAs Often As You Can.

Email me. I like gettinge-mails. All curlers arefriends of mine.

Tucker is a member of

the Grafton Curling Club

and makes his living farm-

ing in North Dakota. Send

questions or comments to

Tuck at [email protected].

Send complaints to his dic-

tatorial editor (terry.kole-

[email protected]).



How do you get toCarnegie Hall?

By Ben [email protected]

Tucked in the

Back Page

Winners of the Plainfield Founders Bonspiel were (l-r) Ivo Petrov,

Mark Mooney, Don Arsenault and Brady Gould.

The Rice Lake Tune-Up Bonspiel winners were (front, l-r) Mark

Fenner, Grace Gabower, Chloe Pahl, Wally Henry and Kevin

Fenner. Runners-up were (back, l-r) Aileen Sormunen, Courtney

George, Amanda Mclean and Miranda Solem.

Winners of the Achilles Bonspiel were (l-r) Eric Haase, Brian

Costello, Mike Platt and Bryan Fink.

medford

CashspielThe Medford Silver Dollar

Cashspiel took place Nov. 11-13 at theMedford (Wis.) Curling Club. Here arethe results:1EW–St. Paul: Peter Stolt, JerodRoland, Brad Caldwell, Erik Ordway1ERU–Wausau: Chris Horak, TimCucchiarelli, Shane Ley, Perry Grueber2EW–Madison: Stan Vinge, Bill Kind,Wally Henry, Dean Zoesch

2ERU–Centerville: Cam Delaney,Casey Konopacky, Ash Nelson, BradSchieffer3EW–Appleton: Dennis Kroner, JimO’Neill, Jack Reynolds, ShawnKennedy3ERU–Waupaca: Zac Waitrovich, MattSandquist, Preston Waala, RyanJohnston4EW–Madison: Pat Roe, Donnie Henry,Chad Draheim, Scott Manthey4ERU–Medford: Evan Jensen, ZachTaylor, Ben Miller, Kelly Trask

Top 10 Latin Translations of Common Curling Terms

10] Lead Player = Broomcarrium Ignoramus9] Hack = Platformus Launchreadius8] Peel Shot = Removum Supervelocitus7] Hog Line = Boundarium Swinus6] Fourth Event = Combatus Irreleventus5] Eight Ender = Scorus Maximus4] Bonspiel = Weekendium Inebriatus3] Double Takeout = Pairstonus Getridovum2] Sweeping = Hurrius Hurrius1] Hammer = Brickus Endterminus

– Richard Maskel

Is your copy of the Curling News going to thewrong address? Send updates to Chrisy Hering atUSA Curling ([email protected]).

december 2011 curling news

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