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01-16-15 10:12AM |
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tuck
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Dec 2005
Location: St. Thomas, North Dakota
Posts: 2613 |
2015 Junior Ladies
It starts tomorrow. Webstreaming available. I will be attending lots of it and doing some of the play-by-play.
The field:
HPP Team: Cory Christensen skips (although Sarah Anderson skipped and Cory shot third when they medaled in the OVJA Juniorspiel) an all star team. We don't bet on Juniors for ethical reasons, but if we did this team would be the odds on favorite at 1 to 2.
The rest of the field is not so much playing for second place; more like playing the game of Make The Playoffs And Hope The HPP Team Is Cold That Game.
Madison Bear and the younger Dubberstein paired with two very good and very nice Easties and played out of Boston this year. Very good team with some success in eastern Canada (translated to Maritimes for our northern readers). Excellent chance to make the playoffs and a decent shot at winning.
The older Dubberstein sister (ubertalented Katie Dubbs) is curling with 2 very good Alaskans (and a couple of Easties, Suslavich and McMakin). Third for very experienced skip Tina Persinger (8th Nationals appearance), Katie Dubbs tends to collect medals at these things. As talented as any team here, I don't think they're a lock making the playoffs. The team kinda imploded on the ice during the Duluth Cash and then exploded the lineup off the ice afterwards. I saw them play in Bemidji and they were not sharp. Still, talent and experience rule curling and they have tons of both.
Host state North Dakota will be represented by a strong Abi Lindgren rink. This is their fourth appearance at Nationals and they've improved each time...narrowly missing the playoffs last year in Seattle. If we bet on Junior curling and if you wanted a good longshot, this would be your team.
Duluth sends us Minnesota 1 skipped by Courtney Osbakken. They went to Seattle last year and pretty much bombed. Tough to be tough the first time you go to the Big Dance. The experience should serve them well and I suspect that they will move up.
Minnesota 2 hails from Mankato and is skipped by Melissa Runing. I fear that Mankato's compressor troubles has limited their ice time. I don't know how much they've played, but I hear they played well at State.
Massachusetts 2 is skipped by Elizabeth Cousins from the decorated Cousins family. My spies tell me to pay attention to the vice skip who is only 15. I hear she's quite incredible for a 15 year old. The entire team is young. Maybe too young yet, but one never knows. A young Stephen Dropkin once skipped an extremely young front end out of the East and they all went on to do great things.
The Schroeders out of Michigan come to Nationals for their third try. They weren't much of a factor in their previous two Nationals, but they could move up.
Also making their third appearance is the Alaskan Kaitlin Fowler rink. They were not a threat in their first two; third time the charm?
Finally we have an Illinois team skipped by Sarah Calcutt. I have absolutely no idea about this team. I look forward to watching them and will report back on what I see.
I hate to chalk out you guys, but I'm picking the favorite. Taking the three best teams and crunching them into one all star team does come with great advantages. Gimme the North Dakota team for second and the Bear rink for bronze. I know most knowledgeable people will be picking Persinger to make the playoffs, but I'm thinking Osbakken gets there instead and Runing wouldn't shock me. Hard to pick against Katie Dubbs, but I'm going to do it.
This is my 2,000 post on CurlingZone. Thank you, Gerry, for the forum. My apologies to people I've bored and to those I've unintentional slighted over the years. I do love curling and my sole goal here is to promote the discussions and the sport. I'm glad that the 2,000 post could be about bringing attention to this very young (does anybody age out?) and talented field.
Ben Tucker (Bill Morehouse was much better at this)
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01-16-15 10:30AM |
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jhcurl
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Sep 2002
Location: US - CT
Posts: 1431 |
I think Abby Suslavich has left the team. I don't think she will be there. Her brother will be there on the Washington team.
The vice for the Cousins team, Elizabeth Pettee, plays at Nutmeg. Yes, she is very good.
Second for the Bear team is Allison Howell, curls at the Plainfield club, hoping she has picked up some of that Gemmell magic.
JH
old enough to remember Allison crawling around in the warm room at Plainfield
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01-16-15 11:34AM |
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nom de broom
Harvey Hacksmasher
Registered: Jan 2012
Location:
Posts: 84 |
quote: Originally posted by jhcurl
Second for the Bear team is Allison Howell, curls at the Plainfield club, hoping she has picked up some of that Gemmell magic.
I suppose the "Gemmell magic" could be used just-in-case, much like a spare tire or extra batteries. But otherwise I am sure the "Howell magic" (which her mom and brother already have in spades) will do quite nicely all on its own.
nom de broom
__________________
[Original Ray's] nom de broom
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01-16-15 02:13PM |
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jhcurl
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Sep 2002
Location: US - CT
Posts: 1431 |
quote: Originally posted by nom de broom
I suppose the "Gemmell magic" could be used just-in-case, much like a spare tire or extra batteries. But otherwise I am sure the "Howell magic" (which her mom and brother already have in spades) will do quite nicely all on its own.
nom de broom
I am glad you did not include Dad in there. I seem to remember his best curling skill is at the table after the game.
Good luck to all the Easties.
__________________
JH
Go Phils, got my WS bet on you
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01-18-15 04:54PM |
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jhcurl
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Sep 2002
Location: US - CT
Posts: 1431 |
Minor upset in the first draw, Cousins losing although it is a young team. Don't know the Schroeder rink at all. Tuck says it is their third kick at the can so maybe not an upset.
JH
Eastie fan club President (tm Tuck)
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01-19-15 11:10PM |
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IMWright
Swing Artist
Registered: Dec 2014
Location:
Posts: 206 |
Don't get me wrong, I love the fact that things are being streamed online and there's commentary, and I'm sure it's not intended, but boy, could two of the announcers be anymore condescending towards the junior curlers?!? Sheesh...
There were two other announcers earlier today that were not and that was much appreciated.
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01-20-15 01:04PM |
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MCC_PE
Hitting Paint
Registered: Mar 2009
Location: Cleveland, OH
Posts: 140 |
Are the webstream replays available anywhere? When I click on the link on CurlingZone it just takes me to the live webstream.
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01-20-15 05:02PM |
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biterbar
Drawmaster
Registered: Mar 2009
Location:
Posts: 695 |
Any idea who else left Persinger for Wisconsin? Webcast says they are playing three for the rest of the week.
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01-20-15 05:58PM |
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Frykenstein
Harvey Hacksmasher
Registered: Mar 2009
Location:
Posts: 61 |
I don't know who called the games you've watched, IMWright, but those I've seen were called by various combinations of Tuck, Mark Cheatley, and Kevin Kakela, and I've heard nothing I'd describe as condescending--not even close.
In fact, Tuck, as he always does, bends over backward to be generous to the players--even when their play is sub-par--precisely because:
* he personally knows a lot of these people and doesn't want to chew up his friends on the Internet
* he realizes the players' families are watching and don't want to see their kid chewed up on the Internet
* he appreciates that many of the players are young and/or new to competitive curling, and likely wary of getting chewed up on the Internet
* he's been there himself as a competitor on the national stage and...you get the idea
From what I've heard, Cheatley and Kak have spent more time taking the p*ss out of Tuck than any of the competitors.
So, yes, to answer your question, I think the commentators could be a *lot* more condescending.
mf
Last edited by Frykenstein on 01-20-15 at 07:18PM
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01-20-15 06:15PM |
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dbsdbs
Drawmaster
Registered: Feb 2013
Location:
Posts: 812 |
quote: Originally posted by biterbar
Any idea who else left Persinger for Wisconsin? Webcast says they are playing three for the rest of the week.
playing 3-handed for the rest of the championship? what is the story here?
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01-20-15 06:40PM |
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Tpersinger3
Knee-Slider
Registered: Aug 2014
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Posts: 3 |
quote: Originally posted by dbsdbs
playing 3-handed for the rest of the championship? what is the story here?
Long story short, after many miscommunications, we filed for a ruling with the USCA to add on a new fifth (that would be able to play all of nationals). It was not considered an "extreme hardship", leaving us three handed. Becky Hill, our lead for play downs, was not able to stay all week for nationals.
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01-21-15 09:10AM |
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biterbar
Drawmaster
Registered: Mar 2009
Location:
Posts: 695 |
quote: Originally posted by Tpersinger3
Long story short, after many miscommunications, we filed for a ruling with the USCA to add on a new fifth (that would be able to play all of nationals). It was not considered an "extreme hardship", leaving us three handed. Becky Hill, our lead for play downs, was not able to stay all week for nationals.
Thank you for the clarification.
I have been thinking about this situation and wonder what the overall effect is. We have all played short in league and on some teams losing my lead and having the second and vice throw three is a huge advantage. Not only because they are better curlers but having three stones really allows a curler to get a better feel for the ice, get the draw weight down.
Of course that is only one game and takes no consideration for exhaustion and the loss of a sweeper.
Big game today vs. HP team and it is webcast.
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01-21-15 10:01AM |
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biterbar
Drawmaster
Registered: Mar 2009
Location:
Posts: 695 |
Wow, Persinger threw a great hammer shot in the third. She got two on an outside hit and roll, four was a possibility, but still a great shot. A LOT of weight thrown there.
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01-21-15 10:26AM |
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ChiefIceMinion
Harvey Hacksmasher
Registered: Nov 2012
Location: In the crawlspace
Posts: 83 |
quote: Originally posted by biterbar
Thank you for the clarification.
I have been thinking about this situation and wonder what the overall effect is. We have all played short in league and on some teams losing my lead and having the second and vice throw three is a huge advantage. Not only because they are better curlers but having three stones really allows a curler to get a better feel for the ice, get the draw weight down.
Some clubs in Scotland will hang a point on a team playing as a threesome vs. a standard foursome due to the advantage this confers.
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01-21-15 10:28AM |
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OHCurler
Harvey Hacksmasher
Registered: Mar 2011
Location:
Posts: 31 |
Are Lank and Christensen drunk on the webcast? I kind of hope they are.
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01-22-15 08:10PM |
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jhcurl
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Sep 2002
Location: US - CT
Posts: 1431 |
Final game was big for Lindgren and Persinger. Lindgren wins and gets into the 1-2 game.
Also big games for Runing and Bear. Both win to get into a tiebreaker. Winner goes to the 3-4 game, loser gets fifth.
Tuck back on mic tonight from what I hear.
__________________
JH
Go Phils, got my WS bet on you
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01-23-15 12:40AM |
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dbsdbs
Drawmaster
Registered: Feb 2013
Location:
Posts: 812 |
Watching tiebreaker until lost picture. Can anyone describe what happened in last end? or last 3 ends?
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01-23-15 08:13AM |
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jhcurl
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Sep 2002
Location: US - CT
Posts: 1431 |
They turn off the internet at 11:00 pm local time in ND. Those farmers have to get up early you know.
JH
(and Tuck responds in 3..2..)
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01-23-15 09:46PM |
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Alice
Swing Artist
Registered: Feb 2012
Location:
Posts: 324 |
USA Curling website's headlines Friday night:
Watch the 2015 Junior Nationals Live
High Performance rinks move on to finals
Friday Night is Curling Night on NBCSN beginning Jan 23
Massachusetts I girls advance to Page playoffs
Men's Playoff field set at Junior Nationals in Devils Lake (but links to "Boys playoff field" news item)
At high noon western NoDak time tomorrow, this means boys, girls and men are shootin' for gold. Given who will age out for next year, the final night for speed dating for the juniors, too. Anyone want to predict likely top junior teams for next year?
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01-26-15 04:47PM |
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steveneger
Harvey Hacksmasher
Registered: Dec 2014
Location:
Posts: 26 |
Am I the only one who thinks a 4-player Persinger team wins it all? Shafted by the USCA.
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01-26-15 05:24PM |
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jhcurl
Super Rockchucker
Registered: Sep 2002
Location: US - CT
Posts: 1431 |
quote: Originally posted by steveneger
Am I the only one who thinks a 4-player Persinger team wins it all? Shafted by the USCA.
Not really.
Just my opinion.
JH
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01-26-15 05:30PM |
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youngen
Harvey Hacksmasher
Registered: Jan 2009
Location:
Posts: 99 |
quote: Originally posted by steveneger
Am I the only one who thinks a 4-player Persinger team wins it all? Shafted by the USCA.
Well you probably aren't the only one, but I'd guess it's not the majority group. No offense to Team Persinger meant, as they did play pretty well.
And quit blaming the USCA you negative nancy (steveneger)! All teams meet the same requirements of signing up in November and knowing these commitments may be in their future. If you can't make it, that is not the USCA's fault.
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