In Own Words:
I started curling as a joke after watching it on TV during the 2006 Olympics, but fell in love with it instantly. My brother challenged me to make it to Nationals in my first year, and I did (Club Nationals, though my team of new curlers did have to win a tough playdown to get there!) [cr][lf][cr][lf]For me, the joy of curling isn't in winning medals, per se, but in the way the pursuit of curling greatness has helped me to become the person I always wanted to be. Competitive curling is like climbing the Everest within. The more you are willing to look honestly at yourself and change - to clear your mind, face your fears, and do things you have never done before - the further up you are able to go. [cr][lf][cr][lf]And not to get ridiculously corny, but discovering the culture of curling has given me a new sense of optimism about people. The generosity so many strangers have shown me, by giving their time to coach me or by hosting me in their homes, has been extraordinary. And to then have had the opportunity, myself, to turn around and do the same for others has been utterly liberating. At the curling club, everyone belongs and everyone gets to play - and everyone is worth investing in. In San Francisco, we give advanced lessons to anyone who wants them - and some of our most unlikely-looking athletes have turned out to be our most dedicated members and club leaders. It would be my greatest success in curling if I could keep these parts of curling culture alive, and re-infuse them, even in some small way, into our larger culture.
Curling Highlights:
Competitive: Several national championships, including: US Olympic Trials 2009 (8th), US Women's Nationals 2011 (6th), US Mixed Nationals 2010 (5th), US Club Nationals 2009 (Bronze) and 2012 (4th)[cr][lf][cr][lf]Awards: Ann Brown Sportsmanship Award (by players at US Nationals) 2010, Pacific International Cup Team Sportsmanship 2008[cr][lf][cr][lf]Author: "Break Through Beginner Curling," stories and how-tos for developing curlers, 2012 (on Amazon at http://goo.gl/hL4Owb); and "Introduction to Curling Strategy," an intuitive guide to strategy for novice through intermediate curlers, 2014 (on Amazon at http://goo.gl/6sv7Tt)[cr][lf][cr][lf]Service: USA Curling Board of Directors, SFBACC Board of Directors, SFBACC USWCA representative, USCA Level 1 Instructor Course Conductor, Co-founder of US Arena National Championships, Co-founder of Western Curling Coalition and related competitive curling clinics[cr][lf]