TEAM DROPKIN NAMED U.S. REPRESENTATIVE AT 2022 WORLD MEN’S CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
The cancellation of the 2022 U.S. Men’s National Championship due to the pandemic has required a selection for the men’s team to represent the United States at the 2022 World Men’s Curling Championship.
“It’s always preferred to have world representatives determined on the ice,” said USA Curling CEO Jeff Plush. “The organization made a decision that matched previous selection procedures, which not only preserved consistency, but also selected a Team that we’re proud to have represent USA Curling on the world stage.”
The U.S. world representatives for the 2021 World Men’s Curling Championship was also determined via selection process, selecting the previous year’s national champions as the 2021 National Championships were unable to take place prior to the World Championships. Similarly, the 2022 U.S. representatives at the 2022 World Men’s Curling Championship will be the reigning U.S. national champions.
The 2021 U.S. Men’s National Champion, Team Dropkin (Korey Dropkin, Joe Polo, Mark Fenner, Tom Howell, and Alex Fenson), will represent the United States at the 2022 World Men’s Curling Championship, scheduled April 2-10, 2022, in Las Vegas.
(l-r) Alex Fenson, Tom Howell, Mark Fenner, Joe Polo, and Korey Dropkin
“We are looking forward to wearing the flag on our backs,” said skip Korey Dropkin. “This is an opportunity that only comes around once a year, and to be playing on home soil with our family and friends by our sides under the lights of Las Vegas…these are the competitions we dream of playing as young kids.”
The Dropkin-skipped rink is experienced on the world stage, representing the United States at multiple World Junior Curling Championships, but the 2022 Championship will mark the squad’s first showing at the World Men’s Curling Championship.
“We are going to Vegas with our eyes set on the podium,” added Dropkin. “Our team plays with confidence, and we know we can win any game.”
Most notably, Team Dropkin made USA Curling history as the first U.S. men’s team to win a Grand Slam of Curling Event, capturing the KIOTI Tractor Tour Challenge Tier 2 in 2019.
“The most important thing for us is that we play loose, we have fun, we have each other’s backs, and we let our preparation shine,” concluded Dropkin.
USA Curling is sponsored by Columbia Sportswear, Toyota, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Brakebush, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), and Sitrin, and is partnered with IHG, Rock Solid Productions Inc., Laurie Artiss Ltd. – The Pin People.
