2011 United States Men's Curling Championship qualifiers

The 2011 United States Men's Curling Championship qualifiers took place during January at various locations throughout the nation. Prior to the national finals, the number of entrants was pared down to ten teams through regional qualifiers and then a challenge round.

Teams qualified for the men's nationals in one of two ways. Two teams automatically qualified as the top two US teams on the Order of Merit list after the Curl Mesabi Cash Spiel was completed. This year, those two teams were the Pete Fenson and Tyler George rinks.[1]

The remaining eight spots for the nationals were awarded to the top finishers in the regional qualifiers and challenge rounds. Five teams qualified from the qualifiers round, where each qualified site received one or more qualifying spots. The other three spots went to the winners of the challenge round.[2]

Regional qualifiers

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This year, there were three regional qualifiers, which will take place in Medford, Wisconsin, Bismarck, North Dakota, and Rochester, New York. The qualifiers will take place from January 5–9. A total of 29 teams (not including the Fenson rink or the George rink) participated in the qualifiers.

The qualifiers either were held using a round-robin format or a knockout format of play. The double knockout provision, which states that a team is eliminated from qualifying for the nationals if the team has at least two losses in their win-loss record, was in place for all three qualifiers. If there are teams with less than two losses, they will play each other until the number of teams still able to qualify matches the number of qualification spots available.

The qualifier scheduled in Seattle, Washington was cancelled because there were not enough teams to meet the minimum five teams that need to sign up for a qualifier in order for it to take place. Two teams transferred to other qualifiers, while two other teams dropped.[3]

Key
Teams to Nationals (Fargo)
Teams to challenge round (Waupaca)

Medford qualifier

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The Medford qualifier was held in a round robin format with eight teams competing for the top spot. Two teams qualified directly to the nationals in Fargo, while three teams qualified to the Challenge Round in Waupaca.[4]

Teams

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Skip Locale
Todd Birr   Mankato
Craig Brown   Madison
Matt Carlson   Mankato
Brady Clark   Seattle
Geoff Goodland   Eau Claire
Blake Morton   McFarland
Kroy Nernberger   Madison
Paul Pustovar   Madison
Berth Brown Goodl. Birr Clark Nern. Pust. Mort. Carls. W L
  Craig Brown - 6-3 9-7 7-8 9-7 9-6 8-5 11-3 6 1
  Geoff Goodland 3-6 - 4-5 7-4 9-3 8-7 9-7 9-6 5 2
  Todd Birr 7-9 5-4 - 8-10 8-3 0-8 3-6 3-9 5 2
  Brady Clark 8-7 4-7 10-8 - 2-7 7-5 11-0 10-1 4 3
  Kroy Nernberger 7-9 3-9 3-8 7-2 - 7-6 5-4 9-1 4 3
  Paul Pustovar 6-9 7-8 8-0 5-7 6-7 - 10-0 8-5 3 4
  Blake Morton 5-8 7-9 6-3 0-11 4-5 0-10 - 9-7 1 6
  Matt Carlson 3-11 6-9 9-3 1-10 1-9 5-8 7-9 - 0 7

Bismarck qualifier

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The Bismarck qualifier was held in a knockout format. Eleven teams participated in this qualifier. Two teams qualified directly to the nationals in Fargo, while four teams qualified to the Challenge Round.[4]

Teams

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John Benton   St. Paul
Ryan Berg   West Fargo
Craig Disher   Rolla
Mike Farbelow   St. Paul
Zach Jacobson   Langdon
Dave Jensen   Bismarck
Travis Kitchens   Devils Lake
Jason Larway   Seattle
Jerod Roland   Minot
Owen Sampson   Edmore
Matt Stevens   Minnesota

Results

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A Event Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
  Jerod Roland 10
  Travis Kitchens 4   Jerod Roland 1
  Craig Disher 8
  Craig Disher 9
  John Benton 4
  Matt Stevens 4
  John Benton 8
  Craig Disher 10
  Owen Sampson 8   Zach Jacobson 6
  Ryan Berg 1   Owen Sampson 4
  Jason Larway 9
  Jason Larway 10
  Zach Jacobson 9   Zach Jacobson 11
  Dave Jensen 7   Zach Jacobson 8
  Mike Farbelow 6
B Event
   
  Ryan Berg 10
  Dave Jensen 9
B Event Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
  Zach Jacobson 6
  Travis Kitchens 2   Mike Farbelow 7
  Mike Farbelow 9   Mike Farbelow 11
  Owen Sampson 2
  Mike Farbelow 10
  John Benton 4
  Mike Farbelow 4
  Jason Larway 7
  Craig Disher 7
  Jason Larway 9
  Matt Stevens 4
  Matt Stevens 8   Jerod Roland 8
  Ryan Berg 0   Jerod Roland 2
  Jason Larway 7
C Event (1) Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
  Jason Larway 8
  Zach Jacobson 4
  Jerod Roland 1
  Ryan Berg 1   Owen Sampson 9
  Owen Sampson 8   Owen Sampson 6
  Zach Jacobson 9
C Event (2) Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
  Mike Farbelow 6
  Craig Disher 9
  John Benton 8
  Travis Kitchens 8   Matt Stevens 3
  Dave Jensen 9   Dave Jensen 4
  Matt Stevens 9
  John Benton 5
  Craig Disher 9

Rochester qualifier

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The Rochester qualifier was also held in a knockout format. Ten teams participated in this qualifier. Only one team was able to qualify directly to the nationals, and one team moved on to the Challenge Round.[4]

Teams

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Key
Team to Nationals
Team to Challenge Round
Skip Locale
Joseph Calabrese   Rochester
Brandon Corbett   Rochester
Scott Edie   Laurel
Gregory Eigner   Fort Wayne
Alex Leichter   Wayland
Dan Machold   Schenectady
Heath McCormick   New York
Clark Raven   Rochester
Rick Van Cuyck*   Rochester
Bryan Wight   Canandaigua

*Due to injuries, the Van Cuyck rink withdrew prior to the start of the competition

Results

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A Event Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
  Joe Calabrese 6
  Dan Machold 7   Dan Machold 3
  Heath McCormick 12
  Heath McCormick 9
  Scott Edie 1
  Scott Edie 9
  Brandon Corbett 6
  Heath McCormick 7
  Bryan Wight 5
  Bryan Wight 7
  Clark Raven 6
  Bryan Wight 8
  Greg Eigner 1
  Greg Eigner 7
  Alexander Leichter 6
B Event Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
  Bryan Wight 9
  Joe Calabrese 8   Scott Edie 8
  Brandon Corbett 4   Joe Calabrese 3
  Clark Raven 7
  Clark Raven 2
  Scott Edie 5
  Bryan Wight 8
  Heath McCormick 6
  Heath McCormick 7
  Alexander Leichter 3
  Alexander Leichter 10
  Dan Machold 4
  Alexander Leichter 6
  Greg Eigner 5
C Event (1) Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
  Clark Raven 2
  Brandon Corbett 12   Brandon Corbett 7
  Dan Machold 5   Brandon Corbett 8
  Alexander Leichter 7
  Brandon Corbett 10
  Bryan Wight 8
C Event (2) Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
  Heath McCormick 8
  Scott Edie 5
  Joe Calabrese 5
  Greg Eigner 8
  Greg Eigner 3
  Scott Edie 10
Playoffs Finals
  Heath McCormick 7
  Bryan Wight 9   Bryan Wight 5
  Brandon Corbett 3

Challenge round

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The challenge round took place in Waupaca, Wisconsin from January 19–23. Up to ten teams qualified for the challenge round; up to eight teams that didn't qualify for the finals from the regionals but placed well in the regionals qualified, and up to two teams qualified if they were among the top ten US Order of Merit teams and did not qualify for the finals or challenge round after the regionals.[2] These teams played in a round robin format for three spots in the nationals.

Teams

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Skip Third Second First Locale
John Benton Peter Stolt Jeffrey Puleo Erik Ordway   St. Paul
Todd Birr Greg Romaniuk Doug Pottinger Kevin Birr   Mankato
Mike Farbelow Eric Fenson Nick Myers Aaron Nunberg   St. Paul
Zach Jacobson Kevin Deeren Zane Jacobson Kraig Deeren   Langdon
Kroy Nernberger Ryan Lemke Jake Will Steve Day   Madison
Paul Pustovar* Jeremy Roe Matt Hamilton Patrick Roe   Madison
Owen Sampson Ned Sampson Tucker Smith Kyle Young   Edmore
Bryan Wight Michael Moore Joel Dietz Mark Lazar   Canandaigua

*Qualified based on Order of Merit standings
Note: Brady Clark (WA) has chosen to withdraw from the Challenge Round.

Results

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Key
Teams to Nationals
Berth W L
  Todd Birr 5 1
  Zach Jacobson 5 1
  Paul Pustovar 4 3
  John Benton 3 4
  Mike Farbelow 3 4
  Kroy Nernberger 3 4
  Owen Sampson 2 5
  Bryan Wight 2 5

Draw 1

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Thursday, January 20, 2:00 pm

Sheet A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  Kroy Nernberger 0 1 0 1 0 1 2 2 0 0 7
  Paul Pustovar   1 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 1 6
Sheet B 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  Mike Farbelow   0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 X X 2
  Owen Sampson 2 1 1 3 0 1 0 1 X X 9
Sheet C 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Final
  John Benton   0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 4
  Zach Jacobson 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 5
Sheet D 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  Todd Birr   2 0 2 2 3 X X X X X 9
  Bryan Wight 0 2 0 0 0 X X X X X 2

Draw 2

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Thursday, January 20, 7:00 pm

Sheet A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  Zach Jacobson 0 0 2 0 1 0 7 X X X 10
  Bryan Wight   0 0 0 1 0 2 0 X X X 3
Sheet B 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  John Benton   0 0 0 2 1 1 1 1 X X 6
  Todd Birr 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 X X 1
Sheet C 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  Mike Farbelow   1 1 0 2 2 3 X X X X 9
  Kroy Nernberger 0 0 2 0 0 0 X X X X 2
Sheet D 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  Owen Sampson 0 3 0 0 1 0 1 X X X 5
  Paul Pustovar   2 0 4 2 0 2 0 X X X 10

Draw 3

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Friday, January 21, 1:00 pm

Sheet A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  John Benton 0 1 0 2 0 0 2 0 1 0 6
  Mike Farbelow   1 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 2 7
Sheet B 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  Paul Pustovar   0 0 2 0 5 1 X X X X 8
  Bryan Wight 0 0 0 1 0 0 X X X X 1
Sheet C 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  Zach Jacobson   2 0 1 0 0 2 0 2 0 2 9
  Owen Sampson 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 8
Sheet D 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  Kroy Nernberger   0 0 0 1 1 0 2 0 4 X 8
  Todd Birr 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 1 0 X 5

Draw 4

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Friday, January 21, 7:00 pm

Sheet A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  Bryan Wight   1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 6
  Owen Sampson 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 5
Sheet B 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  Kroy Nernberger   0 0 0 1 1 0 2 0 4 X 8
  John Benton 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 1 0 X 5
Sheet C 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  Todd Birr   1 0 0 3 0 2 1 1 X X 8
  Paul Pustovar 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 X X 3
Sheet D 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  Mike Farbelow 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 X 3
  Zach Jacobson   0 2 1 0 0 2 1 2 1 X 9

Draw 5

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Saturday, January 22, 1:00 pm

Sheet A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  Mike Farbelow   1 1 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 X 6
  Todd Birr 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 5 X 9
Sheet B 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  Zach Jacobson   0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 X 3
  Paul Pustovar 0 0 1 0 2 1 0 1 0 X 5
Sheet C 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  Kroy Nernberger 0 3 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 X 11
  Bryan Wight   2 0 0 2 0 2 0 1 0 X 7
Sheet D 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  John Benton 0 0 0 1 0 1 4 0 2 X 8
  Owen Sampson   0 0 2 0 2 0 0 1 0 X 5

Draw 6

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Saturday, January 22, 7:00 pm

Sheet A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  Paul Pustovar 0 0 0 0 0 X X X X X 0
  John Benton   0 0 3 2 3 X X X X X 8
Sheet B 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  Bryan Wight 0 1 0 0 1 0 X X X X 2
  Mike Farbelow   1 0 3 1 0 2 X X X X 7
Sheet C 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  Owen Sampson 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 X X 2
  Todd Birr   1 1 0 3 1 0 1 3 X X 10
Sheet D 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  Zach Jacobson   0 1 0 3 0 0 2 0 1 1 8
  Kroy Nernberger 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 2 0 0 6

Draw 7

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Sunday, January 23, 9:00 am

Sheet A Final
  Todd Birr NP
  Zach Jacobson NP
Sheet B 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Final
  Owen Sampson   2 1 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 9
  Kroy Nernberger 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 2 1 1 0 8
Sheet C 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  Paul Pustovar   1 0 3 0 0 1 1 0 1 X 7
  Mike Farbelow 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 X 5
Sheet D 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
  Bryan Wight   0 1 0 1 1 2 0 1 1 X 7
  John Benton 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 X 3

References

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  1. ^ Order of Merit as of 12/21/2010
  2. ^ a b Nationals Rules
  3. ^ "United States Curling Association - Offline".
  4. ^ a b c Terry Kolesar (28 December 2010). "Men's Qualifying Round begins next week". USCA. Retrieved 7 January 2011.