 Siblings Becca and Matt Hamilton (Madison, Wis) are heading back to the USA Mixed Doubles Olympic Trials, looking to defend their place in the 2022 Olympics in Beijing. The Hamiltons defeated Jamie Sinclair and Rich Ruohoen 7-4 in Sunday's final game, concluding a four-team page playoff that booked their spot into the 10-team Trials held October 25-31 Irvine, California. The Hamiltons opened with three in the first end, holding the hammer due to their win over Sinclair/Ruohonen in the Page AvB game on Saturday and took advantage out of the gate. Matt made a great hit and roll with his second stone to close down the scoring area and setup the end. Becca finished off with a brilliant draw to the side of the button to count the early three.
Sinclair/Ruohonen were forced to a single point in the second end, with Sinclair making a game-saving freeze with her last in the second to get a single point steal. Sinclair/Ruohonen added another steal in the fourth end to even the match at three a-piece. After the break, the Hamilton came back with two in the fifth end after Becca made a the draw around cover for the second point and the 5-3 lead. After forcing Sinclair/Ruohonen to a single on their power-play, Becca made a double-takeout with her last in the seventh for two more points and a 7-4 lead, which they would hold onto in the final end. Seven other teams had previously booked their place the Olympic Team Trials, with two more spot left to fill. Tabitha Peterson/Joe Polo (2020 Gold Medalists) Cory Christensen/John Shuster (2020 Silver Medalists) Sarah Anderson/Korey Dropkin (2020 (Bronze Medalists) Vicky Persinger/Chris Plys (2021 Gold Medalists) Madison Bear/Andrew/Stopera (2021 Silver Medalists) Aileen Geving/Luc Violette (2021 semi-finalists) Jenna Burchesky/Ben Richardson (2021 semi-finalists) The Hamiltons advanced to the Championship Final with a 8-3 win over Sinclair/Ruohonen in the Page AvB game, who went on to defeat Monica Walker/Alex Leichter (Boston, Mass.) 11-4 in the semifinal game, setting up the rubber match to determine the Olympic Trials berth. Walker/Leichter won 11-4 over Sydney Mullaney/Chase Sinnett in the Page CvC game. Sinclair/Ruohonen advanced to the playoffs going undefeated through the A-event bracket, dropping the Hamiltons 8-7 in their first meeting of the weekend. The Hamiltons bounced back in the B-event final, winning 8-3 over Walker/Leichter. Walker/Leichter won 5-4 over Regan and Todd Birr (Blaine, Minn.) and Mullaney/Sinnett knocked off Christine McMakin/Riley Fenson (Bemidji, Minn.) 8-3 in the C-event qualifier matches. WATCH the Final replay here: |
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A five at the opening end of their first-ever match together in a major international competition sent Katie McMillan and Angus Bryce on their way to a dominant victory over the USA at the ACE & Company World Mixed Doubles Championships in Geneva.
