TOP JUNIOR CURLERS TO COMPETE IN YOUTH OLYMPIC TRIALS BEGINNING THIS WEEK
Photo by: Bob Weder
[EAGAN, MN, September 5, 2023] — Twenty-three junior teams will head to the Denver Curling Club this week, each competing to become the foursome that will represent the United States at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Gangwon Province, South Korea early next year.
The Youth Olympic Trials, returning to the Denver-area after the same club hosted the playdown four years ago, will kick off the junior season with an uniquely high-stakes competition. Junior athletes from around the country will participate in a four-day event with only the victorious team becoming Youth Olympians. Unlike most seasons, the athletes competing in this tournament have cast aside their summer plans, ditching the heat for summer ice to prepare for the opportunity of a lifetime.
“The offseason has been a little different this year, with going to summer spiels and camp to prepare for the trials, but it’s been a lot of fun,” remarked Megan Stopera, second for Team Hagenbuch. “I’m super excited to get on the ice and play some great teams this week.”
Despite only being in their fourth iteration, the Winter Youth Olympic Games have quickly become a landmark event for curling. Multiple Olympic medalists and world champions have competed at previous Youth Games, using the international tournament to gain valuable experience. After this week, four new athletes will get the same opportunity that top curlers have received in the past.
Teams will be divided up into four pools and play a round robin schedule within their group. After the conclusion of pool play, eight teams will advance to a single-elimination playoff round. Competition begins this Thursday with the finals being played on Sunday.
“We’re excited to welcome our best young curlers to Denver to compete for such a prestigious honor,” noted USA Curling CEO Dean Gemmell. “The record number of teams signed up for this event, almost double the number we had at the last trials, shows the fervor that continues to grow for junior curling. I cannot wait to see our next generation of talent emerge at this competition.”
Streaming for the event can be found on the Denver Curling Club YouTube page. For more information including scores, streams, and ticketing information, visit our website.
Competing Teams:
Team Miller— Thomas Miller, Madeline Muskatell, Adam Peters, Rihanna Clark
Team Molitor— Lillian Molitor, Hudson Stanonik, Ashley Hofmeister, Zack Meyer
Team Niell— DJ Neill, Ella Wendling, Benji Paral, Rilee Kraft
Team Petrov— Georgi Petrov, Kalina Petrova, Rylyn Cooper, Lily Marzullo
Team Podhradsky— Will Podhradsky, Allie Giroux, Leighton Hines, Brooke Giroux
Team Ponzio— Kenna Ponzio, Zach Brenden, Teagan Thurston, Owen Nelson
Team Quello— Alicia Quello, Trey Gehrke, Nick Stavetig, Halle Sanden
Team Rokke— Porter Rokke, Heidi Holt, Brennen Krenz, Lia Karjalainen
Team Rose— Caiden Rose, Zoe Biesecker, Tate Reeder-Holman, Ella Riley
Team Willson— Avery Wilson, Zahra Jamil, Landon Kizlyk, Scarlett Wilson
Team Wong— Leran Wong, Lesley Chee, James Barrie, Ava Roessler
Team Ball—Mariska Ball, Brady Kopp, Emma Anderson, Duke Lassen
Team Galatis—Riley Galatis, Maggie Fitzgerald, Lucas Berube, Emma Betteridge
Team Guentzel—Mason Guentzel, Allory Johnson, Stuart Strack, Morgan Zacher
Team Hagenbuch— Bella Hagenbuch, Daniel Laufer, Megan Stopera, Nick Schallmo
Team Hein— Adam Hein, Mae Hagenbuch, Wesley Henry, Lila Farwell
Team Hollands— Natalie Hollands, Peyton Marcin, Jersey Hollands, Cooper Davis
Team Pichelman— Audrey Ivey, Myles Lambert, Brock Sando, Alison Pichelman
Team Jordan— William Jordan, Violet Bartels, Brody Wilson, Abby Kriesel
Team Lassen— Jack Lassen, Lindsay Hofmeister, Julius Peplinski, Elizabeth Carroll
Team Macomber—Ethan Macomber, Jillian Segel, Jack Guerin, Julia Rydzewski
Team McMullin— Carson McMullin, Gianna Johnson, Miles Grabow, Bailey Vaydich
Team Mihm— Alice Mihm, David Jacobs, Alyssa Hahn, Brandon Ahlvers
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, IHG, 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.
