USA CURLING NAMES 2026–27 WHEELCHAIR NATIONAL TEAM FOLLOWING SELECTION CAMP
Photo by: Michael Woolheater
[EDEN PRAIRIE, MN, September 8, 2026] — Following a three-day selection camp at Rock Creek Curling in Lafayette, CO, USA Curling has chosen the athletes who will be a part of the 2026–27 USA Wheelchair Curling National Team.
The camp brought together wheelchair athletes from across the United States for three intensive days. Athletes participating in the selection process were evaluated across a broad range of skills and competitive situations.
Testing included performance across 16 designated shots, while technical evaluations examined alignment, setup, release, rotation and repeatability. Scrimmage evaluations focused on shot execution, decision-making and communication. Athletes were also tested in pressure situations, including last-rock scenarios, consecutive-make challenges, and responses to adversity.
The selection committee included National Wheelchair Program Director Pete Annis, Paralympian Pam Wilson, Wheelchair Program Coach Nicole Buckhout, Lucy Bradshaw, and Darryl Horsman.
The players named to the 2026-27 Wheelchair Curling National Team are Steve Davis, Laura Dwyer, Steve Emt, Emily Obert, Sean O’Neill, Shawn Sadowski, Jeff Snover, and Katie Verderber. As events near, final competition lineups for Mixed Team play (five athletes) will be determined.
The team is a mix of veterans and newcomers, and now prepares to represent the United States on the world stage. The first major international competition is the World Wheelchair-B Curling Championship, slated for Lohja, Finland, from November 22-30, 2026. At this event, the Americans will compete for a berth in the 2027 World Wheelchair Curling Championship, schedule for February 20-27, 2027 at the same location in Finland.
Following a strong collective performance at the 2026 Paralympic Games, the Wheelchair Team looks to build throughout this quadrennial towards success at the 2030 Paralympic Winter Games.
“Our camp was focused on identifying athletes who are ready to take the next step and build a culture of competitive excellence,” Annis said. “The commitment, competitiveness and professionalism demonstrated by all players throughout the weekend made the final choices extremely difficult. We look forward to continuing to develop the wheelchair program at all levels going forward.”
About USA Curling
Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USA Curling is the National Governing body for the Olympic sport of curling and the Paralympic sport of wheelchair curling in the United States. The mission of USA Curling is to grow, strengthen, and advocate for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of curling in the United States by prioritizing accessibility and programmatic development from grassroots to podium. USA Curling is sponsored by Columbia Sportswear, the Dale’s family of beers, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Ice, Sports & Solar (ISS), Rock Solid Productions, Jet Ice, and Laurie Artiss. USA Curling is a proud member of World Curling and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. To learn more, visit usacurling.org.
