Curling skill and talents shown bright this past week as five teams from the MoPac region competed at the National Arena Championships held in Wausau, Wisconsin. For the men, Teams Betts (WCCC) and Spangler (WCCC) and for the women, Teams Asis (SVCC), Feldman (WCCC) and Mewers (Orange CCC/Oval) participated. Twelve men’s and twelve women’s teams fought for the right to call themselves the 2024 Arena Champions. In the end, a double gold win for MoPac teams brings both titles to the region!
Team Asis, lead by MoPac President, Jennifer Asis, took the gold after a 6-5 finish against Team Segovia from Houston, Texas. Team Feldman beat Team Mercer from Shaker Height, Ohio to secure bronze. Team Mewers played valiantly after plagued by injury – playing with three teammates and ending with 3 wins, 2 loses and making it to the quarter finals.
On the men’s side, Team Spangler battled out of pool play with a 4 and 1 record, winning their semifinals and ultimately triumphing over Team Ridder from Omaha, Nebraska to take the championship. Team Spangler includes a father/son duo front-end (their wife/mother skips Team Feldman.) Team Betts shown bright in pool play also with a 4-1 record before falling in the quarter finals.
Such an amazing showing by the five teams speaks to the dedication and love of the sport by clubs in the region. While Arena curling may not usually get as much attention on the national stage, these teams proved that arena curlers are ones to watch!
Women’s Teams
TEAM ASIS is: Jennifer Asis, Melissa Wheeler, Julie Wolf, Jaclyn Pytlarz, Kathalin Alsmeier, and coach Jeremy Malerich.
TEAM FELDMAN is: Katie Feldman, Lee Ann Shearing, Melissa McGuire, Amy Putnam and coach Edith Hazard.
TEAM MEWERS is: Queena Mewers, Kyra Manayan, Tessa Brockie and Ann Bouche.
Men’s Teams
TEAM SPANGLER is: Cameron Spangler, William Hillman, Brian Feldman Jr. and Brian Feldman.
TEAM BETTS is: David Betts, Steve Sampson, Chris Skidmore and Eric Putnam.
To watch the games where MoPac teams competed:
See: USA Curling’s 2024 Arena Championships page for more.