MONROE — As the curling season is in full swing, Monroe made itself well represented throughout the state. Several area youths and their fathers competed at the Badger State Games in Wausau Feb. 1 and 2. There was a Junior Bonspiel competition in Appleton, and the Alpine Curling Club in Monroe hosted the Wisconsin Region Mixed Playdowns Jan. 31 to Feb. 2. The Alpine Curling Club also held its annual Mixed Bonspiel Jan. 24 to 26.
There are 10 regions in the United States for national curling, with three states considered a region all to itself — Alaska, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The winners of each region move on to nationals, which this year will take place in March in Minnesota, with the national winner moving onto the world championship.
“We all recognize the Olympic men’s team since they won gold, and are aware that there is also a women’s team,” said Dr. John Bazley, who traveled to the Badger State Games with his daughter, Ellery. “In addition to men’s and women’s curling at the Olympic level there is also mixed doubles curling. But the Olympics are only every four years, so what happens the rest of the time?”
Learn to Curl Feb. 8
The Alpine Curling Club will host an event aimed at helping people of all ages try curling. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the rink, 1319 31st Avenue in Monroe.
Pizza and soda will be provided.
Bazley explained that each year the process continues from the regional level, to the national and international level, including for junior men’s and women’s age groups.
“Another division of curling is called mixed curling — not to be confused with mixed doubles, which has only two members per team,” Bazley said. “Last year the World Curling Federation decided to allow a world championship for mixed curling — teams comprised of two men and two women who must alternate their positions.”
The playdowns in Monroe consisted of a team from La Crosse, two from Madison, and another out of Blackhawk Curling Club in Janesville, which includes Monroe native Ryan Spielman. Spielman’s team won the state mixed championship in 2018, and he was on the men’s state championship teams in 2013 and 2015.
“This is basically the playoffs of curling,” Bazley said.
Spielman’s team consisted of wife Laureen Spielman and Paul and Kim Rudkin.
Spielman's team went undefeated with a 5-0 record. Up next is the U.S. Nationals in Chaska, Minnesota in March.
