TEAMS RUOHONEN AND BEAR QUALIFY FOR 2022 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS FOR CURLING
Photo by Rich Harmer.
On September 3-6, 2021, the nation’s top teams not already qualified for the 2022 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Curling met at the Granite Curling Club in Seattle, Wash., to compete for their berth to Trials.
Per the 2022 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Curling Qualification Procedures, three men’s teams and three women’s teams will qualify via the Olympic Trials Qualifying Series events:
September 3-6, 2021: Granite Curling Club (Seattle, Washington)
September 30-October 3, 2021: Mayfield Curling Club (Warrensville Heights, Ohio)
In the women’s division, Team Bear (Madison Bear, Annmarie Dubberstein, Taylor Drees & Allison Howell) completed the round robin with an unblemished record. Team Bear’s record set them ahead of the rest of the field by two games prior to the playoffs, resulting in an automatic victory and qualification into the 2022 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Curling.
In the men’s division, Team Ruohonen (Rich Ruohonen, Andrew Stopera, Colin Hufman, Kroy Nernberger & Phil Tilker) defeated Team Dunnam 8-3 in the championship game, resulting in Team Ruohonen’s qualification for the 2022 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Curling.
Team Bear and Ruohonen are both the fourth teams in their fields to qualify for Trials. To complete the fields of six teams that will be competing at the 2022 U.S. Olympic Team Trials on Nov. 12-21, 2021 in Omaha, the remaining two berths will be determined via the second Olympic Trials Qualifying Series event.
USA Curling thanks the Granite Curling Club for playing an integral role in the “Road to 2022” by hosting the first men’s and women’s qualifying event.
2022 QUALIFIED TEAMS
Women’s Division
1. Team Peterson (Tabitha Peterson, Nina Roth, Tara Peterson, Becca Hamilton, Aileen Geving)
2. Team Christensen (Cory Christensen, Sarah Anderson, Vicky Persinger, Taylor Anderson)
3. Team Sinclair (Jamie Sinclair, Monica Walker, Cora Farrell, Elizabeth Cousins)
4. Team Bear (Madison Bear, Annmarie Dubberstein, Taylor Drees, Allison Howell)
5. TBD via Trials Qualifying Series
6. TBD via Trials Qualifying Series
Men’s Division:
1. Team Shuster (John Shuster, Chris Plys, Matt Hamilton, John Landsteiner)
2. Team Dropkin (Korey Dropkin, Joe Polo, Mark Fenner, Tom Howell, Alex Fenson)
3. Team Brundidge (Jed Brundidge, Evan Workin, Cameron Rittenour, Lance Wheeler, Nic Wagner)
4. Team Ruohonen (Rich Ruohonen, Andrew Stopera, Colin Hufman, Kroy Nernberger, and Phil Tilker)
5. TBD via Trials Qualifying Series
6. TBD via Trials Qualifying Series
USA Curling is sponsored by Toyota, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Brakebush, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), and Sitrin, and is partnered with IHG, Rock Solid Productions Inc., 12th End Sports Network, Laurie Artiss Ltd. – The Pin People, and United Airlines.
