TEAM SHUSTER WINS 2022 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS
Photo by Bob Weder
After two games of the best-of-three game men’s final at the 2022 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Curling, Team Shuster (John Shuster, Chris Plys, Matt Hamilton, and John Landsteiner) and Team Dropkin (Korey Dropkin, Joe Polo, Mark Fenner, Tom Howell, and Alex Fenson) sat tied in the series, both with one win and one loss.
Team Shuster started game three with last stone advantage due to their higher ranking at the conclusion of the double round robin.
After blanking the first two ends of play, Team Shuster was forced to a single point by making a draw to the four-foot to outcount three of Team Dropkin’s stones that sat in the twelve-foot.
Team Dropkin was forced to take a single point in the fourth end, making a takeout on a Team Shuster’s shot rock that sat buried halfway beneath a center guard to even the score at 1-1.
After blanking the fifth end, Team Shuster found an opportunity to generate a deuce with the hammer after Team Dropkin’s attempt to draw under two stones staggered on the centerline came up short of the house. Team Shuster’s score of two set the team ahead 3-1.
In the seventh frame, Team Dropkin needed to draw to the side of the button to outcount Team Shuster’s shot stone and score a single, but Team Dropkin’s attempt over curled and ticked their own rock at the top of the four-foot, resulting in a one-point steal and 4-1 lead for Team Shuster.
Team Shuster sat counting two after John Shuster removed two Team Dropkin stones from the house on his final shot of the end. Team Dropkin’s attempt at drawing the four-foot to score a single point came up short, only outscoring one of Team Shuster’s stones, resulting in another steal of one for Team Shuster and a 5-1 lead.
The opportunity for Team Dropkin to score two with hammer became available in the ninth end when Korey Dropkin removed Team Shuster’s stone in the back of the four-foot by promoting their own stone in the top of the four-foot to trail by two points.
Team Dropkin was unable to steal two points or more in the final game, resulting in a Team Shuster victory and berth to the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
Team Shuster’s qualification will mark John Shuster’s fifth Olympic appearance as the Olympic-bound squad of John Shuster, Chris Plys, Matt Hamilton, John Landsteiner, and Coach Sean Beighton will look to defend the United States’ Olympic Gold Medal in men’s curling.
“It’s definitely going to be special to get a chance to go back and try to see what we can do,” said John Shuster.
Team Shuster’s success at Trials to qualify for the 2022 Games has helped prepare the team for the level of intensity that will be required on the biggest stage in February 2022.
“I’ve never thought more about how we needed to execute a game plan to counter somebody else’s game plan,” said Shuster.
The victory in the best-of-three game final demanded the best from Team Shuster, speaking volumes about the level of talent within Team Dropkin.
“I’m just going to tell you the truth, you guys made me work the hardest I’ve ever worked to beat anyone in my entire life,” said Shuster to Dropkin following the championship game. “You guys are unbelievable.”
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, and United Airlines.
