Stolts set to represent U.S. at World Mixed Doubles
By Terry L. Kolesar, Editor
pionship aſter running through the 2013 USA Curling Mixed Doubles National Championship undefeated. “I don’t know if it has sunk in yet, but we’re
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both really excited to represent the U.S. We’ve got a lot of work to do, but we’re going to work hard to bring home a medal this year and do our best to represent the U.S. at Worlds,” said Pete Stolt, 34, who owns Shot Rock Curling Supplies with his wife. Te Stolts defeated Andy Jukich (Duluth,
Minn.) and Tina Kelly (Bemidji, Minn.), 11-4, in the championship final Dec. 9 at the Capital Curling Club in Bismarck, N.D. “It is very exciting to be able to represent a
country. It’s the first time for us to be Team USA instead of Team Stolt. It’s a really good feeling,” Maureen Stolt said. Tis is the first mixed doubles national title for
the Stolts, who curl out of the St. Paul Curling Club. Aſter finishing the round robin with a 5-0 record, the Stolts won their semifinal match over Minnesota's Tim Doherty and Carol Strojny, 6-4. Tey then clinched the title against Jukich and Kelly with the consistent play they showed throughout the week. “We started out fast but couldn’t maintain,”
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ete and Maureen Stolt of Plymouth, Minn., will represent the U.S. at the up- coming World Mixed Doubles Cham-
Jukich said. “Gotta give all the credit to Pete and Maureen. Tey controlled the game the whole way. Tey were in complete control,” Jukich said. “It’s tough to win when they’re making all their shots. We struggled a little bit … it was tough.” Jukich converted a runback for three points in
the opening end but allowed the Stolts to score two and then steal three to take a 5-3 lead – a lead which the new national champions would hold throughout the rest of the match. Aſter giving up another steal in the fourth
end, Jukich and Kelly opted for the stationary stone on the button instead of the hammer and the Stolts made them pay for it. Pete Stolt used the final stone to earn three more points when he bumped out the stationary rock. Aſter Jukich was only able to muster a single
in the sixth, the Stolts turned to defense in the seventh with Pete Stolt moving to throw the hits with the middle three rocks. “We just wanted to keep it open and make sure
we had a chance to get to the 4-foot to get our one point and just come home and play it clean,” Maureen Stolt said about the team’s strategy in the seventh. When Kelly inadvertently removed the cen-
ter guard, the house was leſt open. With the two rocks they needed already in scoring position, Maureen Stolt threw her final stone through the house with the win locked up. “We just wanted to stay focused,” Pete Stolt
Pete and Maureen Stolt of Plymouth, Minn., won the 2013 U.S. Mixed Doubles national title in December and will represent the U.S. at the upcoming World Mixed Doubles Championship in Canada.
said. “We knew we were in a good spot but it’s mixed doubles and we know that anything can happen. Tat sixth end all of a sudden they were looking at a potential for three or four for a sec- ond there if we don’t make something. You can never let up.” Te 2013 World Mixed Doubles Championship will take place April 13-20 in Fredericton, New Brunswick. n