Madison Reporter

The University of Wisconsin–Madison's Curling Club has successfully defended its title at the USA Curling College National Championship, marking its second consecutive victory. The championship took place on March 9 in Midland, Michigan, where the team emerged victorious against Michigan Tech with a score of 5-3.

Despite losing several key players to graduation after last year's win, the club demonstrated resilience and skill throughout the tournament. They maintained an undefeated record in pool play and secured narrow victories over Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the playoffs.

Mason Maeder, president of the UW–Madison Curling Club, expressed optimism about the program's future: “I’m beyond excited for what the future holds and know that we are developing a program that will forever influence the UW–Madison student community and the future of collegiate curling in America.”

Curling is a sport played on ice where teams slide granite stones towards a target area. The game requires strategic sweeping to control each stone's trajectory and speed. Team members come from diverse backgrounds but share a common enthusiasm for curling.

Adriana Fisher, a freshman from Wausau, has deep familial ties to curling. "My grandparents have both curled for over 30 years and my parents have curled for over 10 years," she shared. "Their love for the sport and competition made me love it just as much."

Jacob Servais, a senior who rediscovered his passion for curling upon joining UW–Madison, stated: “My love never faded despite an almost decade long hiatus, which ultimately brought me back to the sport after discovering the club in the fall of 2023.”

The team faced challenges integrating new players following their previous championship win. Maeder emphasized that building relationships was crucial: “Building relationships between players was a necessary part of team development and required communication.”

Maeder also highlighted curling's collaborative nature: “We focus on being there for one another and maintaining a collaborative environment where each of us can grow and improve,” he said. “It’s not just about winning titles; it’s about supporting each other and pushing ourselves to be better, on and off the ice.”

This season has proven rewarding for UW–Madison's Curling Club as they celebrate both personal growth and competitive success.