PLOVER, WI (WSAU) — If Team Shuster’s run to the medal rounds of the Beijing Olympic Curling tournament got you interested in the sport, here’s your chance to see those who may compete for a spot in the 2026 Winter games in Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
The Sentry Curling Center in Plover will host the 2022 Junior National Championship sponsored by USA Curling from April 23rd-30th. The event will feature ten teams for both men and women, with the winners advancing to the Junior Worlds in 2023 to represent the United States.
Teams will qualify through regional tournaments. The 20-team field will be announced by April 1st.
The Stevens Point Curling Club is serving as hosts for the event. Local partners who would like to get involved are encouraged to reach out to the club at juniornationals@pointcurling.org or by calling Kris Henning at 715-343-0417 with event sponsorship and welcome packet questions.
Like the Olympic tournament, the Junior National Championships will see each team play nine round-robin matches against the others in the field. The top four by record will advance to the single-elimination knockout stage.
“Many of the current athletes participating in the 2022 Olympics in Beijing China for team USA, started their competitive curling experiences by participating in the US Junior National Championship.”, said Lori Kawleski, coach of Stevens Point High School Curling program. “It’s exciting to have a national event in our own backyard. It’s an opportunity for our high school program athletes to see and learn an advanced competitive level of strategy in the game, maybe even become inspired to train to become a future Olympian.”
Kawleski will also coach Team Tamboli, who will be participating in the event, according to a press release.
