Athletes, teams & Coaches
On an annual basis, the USA Curling End-of-Year Awards celebrate the accomplishments, contributions, and commitment of athletes and coaches.
Designed to reflect the sentiment of the entire curling community, voting is open to the following stakeholder groups:
Fans
Peers (all competitors at the previous year's Men's and Women's National Championships and members of the Wheelchair National Team)
Hall of Fame Committee
Coaches
Board of Directors
Athletes of the Year: Awarded to one male athlete, one female athlete, and one wheelchair athlete. Winners of these awards define excellence both on and off the ice, and have demonstrated a strong commitment to competitive achievement.
Team of the Year: Awarded to the team that best exhibits sportsmanship, integrity, and elite performance.
Coach of the Year: Recognizes a Coach who has been a major contributor to the success of an established American team or teams.
Breakout Coach of the Year: Recognizes a Coach who has been a major contributor to the success of an emerging American team or teams.
2023 winners
CORY THIESSE: FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
FEMALE ATHLETE
Cory Thiesse and teammate Korey Dropkin claimed the title of World Mixed Doubles Champions in 2023. In addition to that historic win, Cory captured the Women’s National Championship as a member of Team Peterson. She was also named to the first All Star Team at the 2023 World Women’s Curling Championship, recording the highest shooting percentage among Thirds at the event.
KOREY DROPKIN: MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
MALE ATHLETE
Korey Dropkin partnered with Cory Thiesse to capture the 2023 World Mixed Doubles Championship. Not only did Korey secure the first World gold medal for the United States in Mixed Doubles, he was named to the first All Star team and had the highest shooting percentage among male competitors at the event. As a member of Team Dropkin, he also earned a bronze medal at the Men’s National Championship.
PAM WILSON: WHEELCHAIR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
WHEELCHAIR ATHLETE
Pam Wilson and teammate David Samsa made history by earning the first World Silver Medal for the United States at the Wheelchair Mixed Doubles World Championships. Pam is also a two-time Wheelchair Mixed Doubles National champion and a Paralympian in the four-person format.
TEAM THIESSE/DROPKIN: TEAM OF THE YEAR
TEAM
Corey Thiesse and Korey Dropkin made history by capturing gold at the 2023 World Mixed Doubles Championship in Korea. It was the first gold medal for the United States in the Mixed Doubles discipline, and the first gold at any World Curling Championship since 2003.
CATHY OVERTON CLAPHAM: COACH OF THE YEAR
COACH
Cathy Overton Clapham coached Team Thiesse/Dropkin to their historic win at the 2023 World Mixed Doubles Championship in Korea. Clapham also guided Team Peterson to victory at the 2023 USA Curling Women’s Nationals in Denver.
JIM WENDLING: BREAKOUT COACH OF THE YEAR
Breakout COACH
Jim Wendling coached Team Wendling, skipped by his son Wes, to victory at the 2023 U21 Junior Men’s National Championship. Based in Wausau, WI, Wendling has devoted many years to coaching young athletes and leading successful junior curling efforts.