WHEELCHAIR MIXED DOUBLES NATIONALS KICKS OFF 2024 CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON
Photo by: WCF / Cheyenne Boone
[EAGAN, MN, January 4, 2024] — The 2024 USA Curling Wheelchair Mixed Doubles National Championship is set to unfold today at the Fort Wayne Curling Club in Fort Wayne, Indiana, running January 4th-7th.
This year’s Championship will be full of star power, headlined by the two-time reigning champion team of Pam Wilson and David Samsa. The Wilson/Samsa duo had an incredibly successful 2023 in Mixed Doubles, going undefeated at the Nationals and winning silver at the Worlds. Their road to another victorious event will not be easy, however, as four other teams will be working to to dethrone the defending champions, including 2022 Paralympians Matt Thums, Steve Emt, and Oyuna Uranchimeg.
“We’re excited to host this third edition of the Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Nationals in Fort Wayne,” remarked USA Curling CEO Dean Gemmell. “Fort Wayne has a terrific facility and the energy that club leaders and membership bring to events is appreciated and highly valued. We’re also excited be in a city is a hub for adaptive sports.”
Although curling was introduced to Fort Wayne in the 1880s, curling fever has reignited in the city in recent years. After starting on arena ice in 2010, the Fort Wayne Curling Club quickly moved into a dedicated facility in 2014 before relocating to its current four-sheet venue in 2019. This passionate club, one that has introduced programming and events for years, is an ideal location for the first National Championship of 2024.
The five teams competing at this year’s event will play a round robin, with the top three advancing to a playoff round. The top seed will advance directly to the final, while the second and third-seeded teams will play a semifinal to join them. The winner of the championship will have the opportunity to represent the United States at the 2024 World Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling Championships in Gangneung, South Korea, from March 10-16.
More information about the 2024 USA Curling Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Championship can be found here.
Team Rosters:
Team Bates/Rose - Stacy Bates, Dan Rose
Team Dwyer/Emt - Laura Dwyer, Steve Emt
Team Ricker/Sadowski - Penny Ricker, Shawn Sadowski
Team Uranchimeg/Thums - Oyuna Uranchimeg, Matt Thums
Team Wilson/Samsa - Pam Wilson, David Samsa
About USA Curling
Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Eagan, 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, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Toyota, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), Rock Solid Productions, Jet Ice, and Laurie Artiss. USA Curling is a proud member of the World Curling Federation and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. To learn more, visit usacurling.org.
