Photo courtesy of Michigan Technological University Curling Club The Michigan Technological University Curling Club team finished third at the national championships held in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, last weekend. The team consists of skip Gracie Cohn, third Rese Elsa, second Bryce Doering, lead Tyler Magnuson, alternate Noah Patterson and coach Gordon McLean.
RICE LAKE, Wis. — After a successful run through pool play, the Michigan Tech Curling Club advanced to the quarterfinals, where they racked up another win and faced Princeton, a team they had never faced before, in the semifinals. Despite a valiant effort, Michigan Tech lost that game, setting up a third-place match against Wisconsin-Stevens Point, which won last weekend's USA Curling College Nationals to take third place.
For a club that has just started this season, third place is quite an achievement.
“In fact, a club at Michigan Technological University was formed by students earlier this year.” Coach Gordon McLean said. “We went to Rice Lake and had a lot of fun playing pool. None of our wins were by less than 10 points. I mean, we had a pretty thorough look at the competition, which included Yale, Nebraska, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. did.”
Michigan Tech opened the season at Rice Lake with a 14-0 victory over Yale in five ends. They started scoring and beat Nebraska 12-3 after six ends in a similar fashion. When playing against RPI, they won 13-2 in six ends.
In the quarterfinals, they defeated Toledo 12-1 and faced Princeton. Michigan Tech led by one point, 6-5, in the eighth end, but Princeton scored two points in that end to win.
“They have to give Princeton credit.” McClain said. “They played two really good stones to end the game, leading by one and sitting two. So we were on the verge of scoring. I told the team, called a timeout, I came out and talked to them. I said, “Hey, look, we can afford to lose one point.'' If you go into the extra end with a tie, you get the last stone advantage. Masu. I can't give up on both. ”
“Unfortunately, we conceded two goals.”
McLean said the team's mood dropped after losing in the semifinals.
“The team was pretty devastated by that because I think they invested a lot to get to the gold medal game.” He said. “Ultimately we were in contention for the bronze medal and thoroughly handled Wisconsin vs. Stevens Point.”
In the third-place game, Michigan Tech defeated Stevens Point, 8-2.
Given that the curling club was just established this season, practiced on the same natural ice as the Copper Country Curling Club, and this winter has been typical, Michigan Tech hasn't had much of a chance to practice. was. hone your skills.
“The curling club here had natural ice, so it's even more impressive considering we only had a few weeks to practice together.” said McClain. “I mean, they literally practiced together probably five times throughout the season. I mean, that says a lot about the character of the players involved. They completed what seemed to be a very successful run on the ice at Rice Lake. I give them full credit.”
Mr McLean, who founded the Copper Country Curling Club 30 years ago, was asked to step in and help during the season.
“I didn’t get involved until late in the season when they decided they needed a coach.” He said. “I've coached at the junior level in the United States before. So I said, 'Of course, I'd be happy to do that.' I would love to do that. ”
The Michigan Tech curling club team that competed in the national tournament consisted of skip Gracie Cohn, third player Reze Elsa, second player Bryce Doering, lead player Tyler Magnuson, and alternate Noah Patterson.
In the hour or so between the semi-finals and the third-place match, the team needed to make a comeback, and they did so admirably.
“Honestly, that's not something you can coach.” McClain said. “It's what they defined for themselves and they did it. They could have been really down about it, but they weren't.
“They realized, 'Okay, we've got to go out.' We've got to get the hardware, and even if we're not going to shoot for the top spot, we're still going to see us next year. You have to show that you’re going to make sure you’re remembered.”
For his performance over the weekend, Cone was named to the All-American First Team West. In fact, she was the top vote-getter overall.
McLean remains excited to see what the Michigan Tech club can accomplish in the future.
“That's the charm of this team.” He said. “Three of them are first-year students at Polytechnic University. One of them is a second-year student. So this is going to be a potential dynasty. We're going to work with them especially starting in the fall and in some cases helping beginner curlers. It’s even better if you can collaborate with older, more experienced students on problems and, in some cases, strategies.”
McLean and the Copper Country Curling Club will host a reception at the Calumet Curling Club on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. They celebrate their 30th anniversary with two special presentations of his. One about the accomplishments of the Michigan Technological University Curling Club's first season, and the other about his first 20 years with the Curling Club.
