Ella Wendling on winning U.S. Youth Mixed Doubles Curling team

ella wendling mixed doubles web

 

Wausau West high school curler Ella Wendling and her teammate Benji Paral (Eau Claire) won the U.S. Youth Mixed Doubles Curling competition November 2-5, 2023 in Bemidji, Minnesota.

The win earned the pair a spot on Team USA at the 2024 Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, South Korea, beginning January 19, 2024.

The two defeated Team Giroux-Podhradsky (St. Paul) in the final match after going 4-1 in round-robin play which involved 23 teams.

As reported by their coach, Jim Wendling, the finals were a back-and-forth battle with Wendling-Paral taking the early lead. Giroux-Podhradsky fought back and it came down to the final shot in the last end.  Down by one, Ella delivered a take-out to score four and seal the victory, 9-6.

In South Korea, the team will be playing at the same venue where  U.S. Team Shuster won the Olympic gold medal in 2018 and Team Thiesse-Dropkin won the 2023 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship.

“The trials were such a fun and well-run event with great competition throughout the whole week,” said Ella.  “It’s very exciting to have the chance to represent the United States and experience this amazing opportunity.”

Coach Wendling was impressed with the focus and composure of both curlers in such a high-pressure situation, noting “Their trust in each other and joy for the game of curling allowed them to have the success they did,” he said.

Ella is the second in the Wendling family to achieve international curling status.  A team skipped by her brother, Wes, won the U.S. Junior Championships last spring.  He will competing at the World Junior B championships in Finland in December with the chance to return to Finland for the Junior Championships later in the year.


Upcoming Events

16 Oct
New Member Orientation
Date 16.10.2024 18:00 - 21:00

This even is for new members of the Wausau Curling Club. During this session new members will get a more in-depth tour of the facility so they have a good understanding of where things are in the faclity and things to keep in mind when they are at the club. We also will go through a typical day as a curler at the club from the time you arrive from the time you leave. We go through the basic rules and ettiqutte of the game. We will then go on to the ice to get some further practice and to play a few ends so that people new to the game of curling can get a feel and the flow of the game. 

All new members should plan to attend one of the two orientations that are scheduled. 

For further information please reach out to Tucker Diedrich 715-573-1959 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

23 Oct

Wausau Curling is proud to host the 2024 USA Curling Arena National Championships.  A championship of grassroots curling clubs around the United States that currently play in a hockey/ice rink setting.  Each club earned the right to compete in Wausau by winning their regional playdown. Twenty-four teams will compete here in October!  

28 Oct
New Member Orientation
28.10.2024 18:00 - 21:00

This even is for new members of the Wausau Curling Club. During this session new members will get a more in-depth tour of the facility so they have a good understanding of where things are in the faclity and things to keep in mind when they are at the club. We also will go through a typical day as a curler at the club from the time you arrive from the time you leave. We go through the basic rules and ettiqutte of the game. We will then go on to the ice to get some further practice and to play a few ends so that people new to the game of curling can get a feel and the flow of the game. 

All new members should plan to attend one of the two orientations that are scheduled. 

For further information please reach out to Tucker Diedrich 715-573-1959 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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