NATIONAL WHEELCHAIR CURLING MIXED DOUBLES TEAM ANNOUNCED

(STEVENS POINT, Wis.) -- USA Curling is excited to name Patrick Mcdonald and Penny Greely to the National Wheelchair Curling Mixed Doubles Team.

At the World Curling Federation’s 2020 virtual Annual General Assembly, members voted to add the new discipline of Wheelchair Curling Mixed Doubles to the international calendar. With this approval, the inaugural World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championship is scheduled to take place in Lohja, Finland in January 2021.

“I’m excited to help pilot the first USA Wheelchair Curling Mixed Doubles Team,” said Greely. “The format is different from the traditional four-man team I am used to, so I can’t wait to embrace this new challenge.”

Embracing new challenges is familiar territory for Greely. After winning the bronze medal in sitting volleyball at the 2004 Summer Paralympic Games in Athens, Greely made her next two Paralympic appearances in wheelchair curling at the 2014 and 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.

Greely and Mcdonald are excited to take the ice together in reunion-like fashion, as they first competed as teammates back in 2012.

“I’m really looking forward to playing with a good friend against tough competition,” said Mcdonald, a two-time Paralympic curling athlete.

Mcdonald’s return to the ice is not only celebrated with the opportunity to rejoin forces with Greely, but is also accompanied by a significant milestone.

“I last played in 2016 and had to retire to fight cancer,” said Mcdonald. “As of last week, I have been cancer-free for four years…so to be back is amazing.”

The National Wheelchair Curling Mixed Doubles Team will be coached by Pete Annis, who also coaches Team Ruohonen, one of three national men’s teams.

“We are excited to extend Pete’s coaching talents and experience to the para athletes, as we feel his expertise will play a large role in positioning the team for continued success on the world stage,” said Jeff Plush, USA Curling CEO.

Wheelchair Curling Mixed Doubles, the fast-paced rendition of the traditional game, will be proposed as a discipline to be added to the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, but until then, the duo is prepared to make an impression on the world stage.

“It’s an honor to represent USA,” said Greely. “I take great pride in being an American and will strive to make my country and community proud.”