The Wausau-based team of Wes Wendling (skip), Jackson Armstrong, Chris Kirsch, and Kevin Tuma brought home the coveted first-place trophy from the U.S. Junior National Curling Championships, held at the Broomstones Curling Club in Wayland, Mass, in early April 2023.
Wendling and Kirsch are Wausau West graduates, Armstrong is from Appleton, and Tuma is from St. Paul. All are currently attending college.
The Wendling rink went undefeated through the tournament and bested the rival Hebert rink from Eau Claire in the final match, 8-5 in nine ends.
“I’ve been curling for 13 years,” says Wes, “and this is my greatest achievement so far. He attributed the victory to good play by his teammates and a good strategy. “It made the game and my shots a lot easier when we set up the house well. I would have to throw easy shots like guards instead of run-backs against a couple of points.”
Wendling, who’s twice finished second in the Under 18 nationals, and won two Wisconsin High School state championships, is getting ready for the next challenge. They’ll be representing the U.S. at the World’s next spring, but first, they’ll be participating in the World Junior Bs in December 2023.
“To prepare for this, we will be joining the national team program,” he explains. “That includes a physical fitness program at the Training Haus located at the Vikings practice facility in Minnesota, along with more opportunities for more ice access throughout the summer in the Twin Cities, and some competitive US and Canadian bonspiels.”