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

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

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

Skip Locale
Todd BirrMinnesota Mankato
Craig BrownWisconsin Madison
Matt CarlsonMinnesota Mankato
Brady ClarkWashington (state) Seattle
Geoff GoodlandWisconsin Eau Claire
Blake MortonWisconsin McFarland
Kroy NernbergerWisconsin Madison
Paul PustovarWisconsin Madison
BerthBrownGoodl.BirrClarkNern.Pust.Mort.Carls.WL
Wisconsin Craig Brown-6-39-77-89-79-68-511-361
Wisconsin Geoff Goodland3-6-4-57-49-38-79-79-652
Minnesota Todd Birr7-95-4-8-108-30-83-63-952
Washington (state) Brady Clark8-74-710-8-2-77-511-010-143
Wisconsin Kroy Nernberger7-93-93-87-2-7-65-49-143
Wisconsin Paul Pustovar6-97-88-05-76-7-10-08-534
Wisconsin Blake Morton5-87-96-30-114-50-10-9-716
Minnesota Matt Carlson3-116-99-31-101-95-87-9-07

Bismarck qualifier

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

Skip Locale
John BentonMinnesota St. Paul
Ryan BergNorth Dakota West Fargo
Craig DisherNorth Dakota Rolla
Mike FarbelowMinnesota St. Paul
Zach JacobsonNorth Dakota Langdon
Dave JensenNorth Dakota Bismarck
Travis KitchensNorth Dakota Devils Lake
Jason LarwayWashington (state) Seattle
Jerod RolandNorth Dakota Minot
Owen SampsonNorth Dakota Edmore
Matt StevensMinnesota Minnesota

Results

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

Rochester qualifier

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

Key
Team to Nationals
Team to Challenge Round
Skip Locale
Joseph CalabreseNew York (state) Rochester
Brandon CorbettNew York (state) Rochester
Scott EdieMaryland Laurel
Gregory EignerIndiana Fort Wayne
Alex LeichterMassachusetts Wayland
Dan MacholdNew York (state) Schenectady
Heath McCormickNew York (state) New York
Clark RavenNew York (state) Rochester
Rick Van Cuyck*New York (state) Rochester
Bryan WightNew York (state) Canandaigua

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

Results

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

Challenge round

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

Skip Third Second First Locale
John BentonPeter StoltJeffrey PuleoErik OrdwayMinnesota St. Paul
Todd BirrGreg RomaniukDoug PottingerKevin BirrMinnesota Mankato
Mike FarbelowEric FensonNick MyersAaron NunbergMinnesota St. Paul
Zach JacobsonKevin DeerenZane JacobsonKraig DeerenNorth Dakota Langdon
Kroy NernbergerRyan LemkeJake WillSteve DayWisconsin Madison
Paul Pustovar*Jeremy RoeMatt HamiltonPatrick RoeWisconsin Madison
Owen SampsonNed SampsonTucker SmithKyle YoungNorth Dakota Edmore
Bryan WightMichael MooreJoel DietzMark LazarNew York (state) Canandaigua

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

Results

Key
Teams to Nationals
BerthWL
Minnesota Todd Birr51
North Dakota Zach Jacobson51
Wisconsin Paul Pustovar43
Minnesota John Benton34
Minnesota Mike Farbelow34
Wisconsin Kroy Nernberger34
North Dakota Owen Sampson25
New York (state) Bryan Wight25

Draw 1

Thursday, January 20, 2:00 pm

Sheet A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
Wisconsin Kroy Nernberger 0 1 0 1 0 1 2 2 0 0 7
Wisconsin Paul Pustovar (has hammer) 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 1 6
Sheet B 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
Minnesota Mike Farbelow (has hammer) 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 X X 2
North Dakota 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
Minnesota John Benton (has hammer) 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 4
North Dakota 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
Minnesota Todd Birr (has hammer) 2 0 2 2 3 X X X X X 9
New York (state) Bryan Wight 0 2 0 0 0 X X X X X 2

Draw 2

Thursday, January 20, 7:00 pm

Sheet A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
North Dakota Zach Jacobson 0 0 2 0 1 0 7 X X X 10
New York (state) Bryan Wight (has hammer) 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 X X X 3
Sheet B 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
Minnesota John Benton (has hammer) 0 0 0 2 1 1 1 1 X X 6
Minnesota 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
Minnesota Mike Farbelow (has hammer) 1 1 0 2 2 3 X X X X 9
Wisconsin 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
North Dakota Owen Sampson 0 3 0 0 1 0 1 X X X 5
Wisconsin Paul Pustovar (has hammer) 2 0 4 2 0 2 0 X X X 10

Draw 3

Friday, January 21, 1:00 pm

Sheet A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
Minnesota John Benton 0 1 0 2 0 0 2 0 1 0 6
Minnesota Mike Farbelow (has hammer) 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 2 7
Sheet B 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
Wisconsin Paul Pustovar (has hammer) 0 0 2 0 5 1 X X X X 8
New York (state) 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
North Dakota Zach Jacobson (has hammer) 2 0 1 0 0 2 0 2 0 2 9
North Dakota 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
Wisconsin Kroy Nernberger (has hammer) 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 0 4 X 8
Minnesota Todd Birr 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 1 0 X 5

Draw 4

Friday, January 21, 7:00 pm

Sheet A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
New York (state) Bryan Wight (has hammer) 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 6
North Dakota 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
Wisconsin Kroy Nernberger (has hammer) 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 0 4 X 8
Minnesota 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
Minnesota Todd Birr (has hammer) 1 0 0 3 0 2 1 1 X X 8
Wisconsin 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
Minnesota Mike Farbelow 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 X 3
North Dakota Zach Jacobson (has hammer) 0 2 1 0 0 2 1 2 1 X 9

Draw 5

Saturday, January 22, 1:00 pm

Sheet A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
Minnesota Mike Farbelow (has hammer) 1 1 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 X 6
Minnesota 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
North Dakota Zach Jacobson (has hammer) 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 X 3
Wisconsin 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
Wisconsin Kroy Nernberger 0 3 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 X 11
New York (state) Bryan Wight (has hammer) 2 0 0 2 0 2 0 1 0 X 7
Sheet D 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
Minnesota John Benton 0 0 0 1 0 1 4 0 2 X 8
North Dakota Owen Sampson (has hammer) 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 1 0 X 5

Draw 6

Saturday, January 22, 7:00 pm

Sheet A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
Wisconsin Paul Pustovar 0 0 0 0 0 X X X X X 0
Minnesota John Benton (has hammer) 0 0 3 2 3 X X X X X 8
Sheet B 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
New York (state) Bryan Wight 0 1 0 0 1 0 X X X X 2
Minnesota Mike Farbelow (has hammer) 1 0 3 1 0 2 X X X X 7
Sheet C 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
North Dakota Owen Sampson 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 X X 2
Minnesota Todd Birr (has hammer) 1 1 0 3 1 0 1 3 X X 10
Sheet D 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Final
North Dakota Zach Jacobson (has hammer) 0 1 0 3 0 0 2 0 1 1 8
Wisconsin Kroy Nernberger 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 2 0 0 6

Draw 7

Sunday, January 23, 9:00 am

Sheet A Final
Minnesota Todd Birr NP
North Dakota Zach Jacobson NP
Sheet B 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Final
North Dakota Owen Sampson (has hammer) 2 1 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 9
Wisconsin 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
Wisconsin Paul Pustovar (has hammer) 1 0 3 0 0 1 1 0 1 X 7
Minnesota 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
New York (state) Bryan Wight (has hammer) 0 1 0 1 1 2 0 1 1 X 7
Minnesota John Benton 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 X 3

References

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