SINCLAIR CLINCHES TOP PLAYOFF SEED
After three days of round robin play at the 2021 U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Championship, the playoff picture for the field of seven teams is nearly complete.
Team Sinclair proves to be a dominating force in the round robin, sitting atop the leaderboard with a 5-0 record and clinching the number one playoff seed.
“I’m really proud of the team,” said Sinclair after their 9-2 victory over Bear to clinch the number one playoff seed. “The ice was a little different this game so I’m proud of the girls for getting a good read on the ice and making a ton of shots out there.”
Three-time national champions Monica Walker and Jamie Sinclair have welcomed the additions of Cora Farrell and Elizabeth Cousins with shared hopes of winning a national championship title and qualifying for the 2022 Olympic Team Trials.
“We’ve got one more game here in the round robin and the biggest focus is to get another ‘W’ to set ourselves up as best we can for the finals,” said Sinclair.
Team Christensen has secured the second berth to the playoffs, falling short only to Team Sinclair when they met in the fourth women’s session of the event. Despite their loss, Team Christensen has won their other four games in demanding fashion, defeating Team Traxler 12-1, Team McMakin 9-1, Team Bear 8-3, and Team Rhyme 10-1.
With three teams advancing to the playoffs of the 2021 U.S. Women’s National Championship and only the top two qualifying for the 2022 Olympic Team Trials, the stakes heighten for teams Strouse, McMakin, and Bear as they remain in the hunt for the third playoff spot.
In the final round robin game, Christine McMakin (2-3) will play Madison Bear (2-3) and Cory Christensen (4-1) will face Delaney Strouse (2-3).
Should Chistensen defeat Strouse, the winner of the McMakin vs. Bear game would advance to playoffs. Should Strouse top Christensen, a tiebreaker would be played between Strouse and the winner of the McMakin vs. Bear game to qualify a third playoff team.
FOLLOW ALONG
Live scoring of the 2021 U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Championships.
The Championships will be broadcasted May 25-31 on the USA Curling Youtube Channel!
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