Team Willertz Wins Bronze at U-18 Curling Championship

Three Midland teams participated in the inaugural Under-18 US Curling Championship March 8-12 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

 The Maya Willertz team finished round-robin play with a 3-2 record, forcing a Sunday morning tiebreaker with the Andrea McDonald rink from Madison, Wisconsin.  Willertz and her teammates Delaney Strouse, Madelyn Graves and Rachel Weldy defeated Wisconsin 11-0 in 6 ends to advance to the playoffs. 

 In the semi-finals, Team Willertz drew Cait Flannery’s undefeated Minnesota rink and lost 9-0.  Flannery’s team went on to defeat the Elizabeth Cousins rink from Massachusetts for the Gold Medal.

 In the Bronze Medal game, Team Willertz fell behind Washington’s Nikole Lorvick rink 4-1 after 3 ends.  The teams traded single points in the fourth and fifth ends.  Willertz scored two points in the sixth end to cut into the lead and stole the remaining two ends for a 7-5 win and the Bronze Medals.

 In the Junior Men’s U-18 Championship, Andrew McDonald’s rink and Austin Carlson’s team both finished 2-3 in round-robin play.

 he Midland Curling Club concludes the 2016-17 season with a Fun ‘Spiel March 18-19.  The Midland Curling Center is located at 2009 Jefferson St. on the campus of the Greater Midland Community Center.