Wisconsin High School Curling With Jim Wendling
03/27/22 • 50 min
The state of Wisconsin has a long tradition of high school curling. It's also the only state in the U.S. that organizes a high school curling championship. In today's episode, I speak with Jim Wendling, a teacher at Wausau West High School. He gives me an overview of high school curling in Wisconsin, including his own program. We talk about a popular event called the Tietge High School Bonspiel. And, finally, he gives advice about how to get high school kids to love the sport.
NOTE: This interview was recorded in late February 2022, just after the Wisconsin High School Curling Championship.
Some of the topics we discuss:
* Details of the Wausau West HS curling program (2:34)
* Organization of HS leagues in Wisconsin (5:32)
* How do new kids find out about their program? (9:50)
* Who runs these HS programs? (12:51)
* How did Jim get introduced to curling? (13:22)
* Where does the money come from to pay for these programs? (17:25)
* 2022 Wisconsin HS State Championship (23:56)
* The Tietge High School Bonspiel (the biggest HS bonspiel in the US) and why it's great for new curlers (27:50)
* Jim's children and their involvement in the sport (31:54)
* How HS curling fills a gap that junior competitive curling may not (33:56)
* An abridged history of HS curling in Wisconsin (36:59)
* Advice to potential new HS programs: Start slow with some HS bonspiels (41:48)
* A story about his son curling with an 80-year-old (45:11)
* Will the Beijing Winter Olympics result in a "bump" in interest for curling? (46:48)
Links to the resources mentioned in this episode:
Wisconsin State Curling Association (incl. High School Curling)
https://wi-curling.org/
Wausau Curling Club/Wausau Curling Center
https://wausaucurling.org/index.php
Jim's E-mail Address: [email protected]
Follow our podcast on Twitter: @kidscurling
Glenn Gabriel is an NCCP-certified curling coach who lives in Pickering, Ontario, Canada. He has been the coordinator of the Little Rocks (U12) program at East York Curling Club in Toronto since 2011. If you have a question or feedback on the podcast, send us an e-mail at [email protected]
The intro and outro music is "Golden Sunrise (Instrumental Version)"
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Josh_Woodward/The_Wake_1790/JoshWoodward-TheWake-NoVox-10-GoldenSunrise
By Josh Woodward
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Josh_Woodward
Licensed under CC BY 3.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
The state of Wisconsin has a long tradition of high school curling. It's also the only state in the U.S. that organizes a high school curling championship. In today's episode, I speak with Jim Wendling, a teacher at Wausau West High School. He gives me an overview of high school curling in Wisconsin, including his own program. We talk about a popular event called the Tietge High School Bonspiel. And, finally, he gives advice about how to get high school kids to love the sport.
NOTE: This interview was recorded in late February 2022, just after the Wisconsin High School Curling Championship.
Some of the topics we discuss:
* Details of the Wausau West HS curling program (2:34)
* Organization of HS leagues in Wisconsin (5:32)
* How do new kids find out about their program? (9:50)
* Who runs these HS programs? (12:51)
* How did Jim get introduced to curling? (13:22)
* Where does the money come from to pay for these programs? (17:25)
* 2022 Wisconsin HS State Championship (23:56)
* The Tietge High School Bonspiel (the biggest HS bonspiel in the US) and why it's great for new curlers (27:50)
* Jim's children and their involvement in the sport (31:54)
* How HS curling fills a gap that junior competitive curling may not (33:56)
* An abridged history of HS curling in Wisconsin (36:59)
* Advice to potential new HS programs: Start slow with some HS bonspiels (41:48)
* A story about his son curling with an 80-year-old (45:11)
* Will the Beijing Winter Olympics result in a "bump" in interest for curling? (46:48)
Links to the resources mentioned in this episode:
Wisconsin State Curling Association (incl. High School Curling)
https://wi-curling.org/
Wausau Curling Club/Wausau Curling Center
https://wausaucurling.org/index.php
Jim's E-mail Address: [email protected]
Follow our podcast on Twitter: @kidscurling
Glenn Gabriel is an NCCP-certified curling coach who lives in Pickering, Ontario, Canada. He has been the coordinator of the Little Rocks (U12) program at East York Curling Club in Toronto since 2011. If you have a question or feedback on the podcast, send us an e-mail at [email protected]
The intro and outro music is "Golden Sunrise (Instrumental Version)"
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Josh_Woodward/The_Wake_1790/JoshWoodward-TheWake-NoVox-10-GoldenSunrise
By Josh Woodward
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Josh_Woodward
Licensed under CC BY 3.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Previous Episode
Dream Practice Draft (Part 2 of 2)
In Feb. 2022, five youth curling coaches from across Canada gathered for a one-of-a-kind competition: To create their best youth curling practice. The twist? They were doing it in the format of a fantasy sports draft!
In Part 2 of this 2-part series, we make our final selections, offer practice planning advice, and share what's going on at our individual clubs.
Some of the topics we discuss:
* SNACK category (1:25)
* CELEBRITY GUEST category (16:04)
* Advice for youth practice planners (25:32)
Team Reviews & Club Program Updates:
* Patrick Brown, Uxbridge CC (27:58)
* Tenielle Bachek, Okotoks CC (31:19)
* Michelle Hunt, Royal City CC (34:27)
* Glenn Gabriel, East York CC (36:50)
* Mike Gregotski, High Park Club (38:29)
*****
FINAL DRAFT RESULTS
TEAM PAT
WARMUP: Imitating Other Sports
SONG: “Scatman” by Scatman John
DELIVERY: Progressive Hog Line Drill
https://bit.ly/3qkeG00
SWEEPING: Enemy Sweepers – Create two 4-person teams. Front ends switch teams so they’re on the “enemy” team.
GAME: “Guard Zone Madness” – Play 1 End No Guard Zone, then play Next End “Mandatory Guard Zone,” Switch for a few ends, then finish with 5-Rock Rule.
SNACK: Ice Cream Cone Filled w/Spaghetti & Sauces with Garlic Bread (Sponsored by @olivegarden)
CELEBRITY: @MattJamilton (USA) & @TheRock
TEAM TENIELLE
W: “Warmup Bingo”
SONG: “Hooked On A Feeling” by Blue Swede
D: “Yummy/Yucky” AKA “Have You Ever?” – Line kids up at sideboard. If they respond positively to a statement (e.g., “Do you like pizza?”) they slide across to other sideline. Otherwise, they stay still. They end up sliding back and forth.
SW: Progressive Hog Line Drill
G: The “Howard Game” – No takeouts
SN: Hot Dogs and Fruit Kebabs
CELEB: Marc Kennedy @Leftykenbear
TEAM MICHELLE
W: “High Knee Dance Party”
SONG: “All Star” by @smashmouth
D: Progressive Slides – Ex: Kids slide to back line for first slide, then tee line next, then 12-foot, etc.
SW: Hot Shots (see p.9)
https://bit.ly/3MZ5WpE
G: Bocce Curling
SN: Chocolate Covered Strawberries (Sponsored by Amaury Guichon)
CELEB: @BennyHeebz
TEAM GLENN
W: Lunge Circle
SONG: “Dynamite” by @bts_bighit
D: One-Rock Slide
https://bit.ly/3KXXrJQ
SW: Footwork with 2 Rocks
https://bit.ly/3qohGZ9
G: Four Corners
https://bit.ly/3qmBY5c
SN: Fries & Ketchup (@kfc)
CELEB: Satsuki Fujisawa (Japan)
TEAM MIKE
W: @justdancegame
SONG: “Blinding Lights” by @theweeknd
D: Spin-A-Rama
https://bit.ly/3CWdDbv
SW: Cornbrooms! Kids will realize how easier it is to sweep with current brooms ;-)
G: “12-Foot” – Rocks only count in the 12-foot circle
SN: Donuts! (a) Boston Cream w/ Icing Handle & (b) Vanilla Glazed with a “House" (@TimHortons)
CELEB: @jeffstoughton
***
Follow our podcast on Twitter: @kidscurling
Glenn Gabriel is an NCCP-certified curling coach who lives in Pickering, Ontario, Canada. He has been the coordinator of the Little Rocks (U12) program at East York Curling Club in Toronto since 2011. If you have a question or feedback on the podcast, send us an e-mail at [email protected]
The intro and outro music is "Golden Sunrise (Instrumental Version)"
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Josh_Woodward/The_Wake_1790/JoshWoodward-TheWake-NoVox-10-GoldenSunrise
By Josh Woodward
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Josh_Woodward
Licensed under CC BY 3.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Next Episode
How To Make A Curling Mom Cry With Cheryl Rajala
Every February, the curling community celebrates "Curling Day In Canada." One of the events is a story contest put on by Curling Canada where curlers from across the country submit their stories in the hope of winning a prize. In January 2021, Cheryl Rajala of Sudbury, ON, wrote about an incredible moment at the U18 Northern Ontario Provincial Championships in March of 2020.
In this episode, you'll hear Cheryl read her story ("How To Make A Curling Mom Cry") and talk about what led up to that moment. We'll also talk about the challenges of being a mom of two competitive curlers, and how to deal with victories and defeats as a curling parent. NOTE: This interview was recorded in late February 2022.
Some of the topics we discuss:
* How Cheryl's husband got her to curl (5:30)
* How a mining strike led to her children curling (6:27)
* What sparked the kids' love of the sport? (7:50)
* Youth Challenges (10:38)
* Challenges of having two competitive curling kids (12:26)
* Money: Fundraising and sponsorships (14:58)
* Expectations going into the U18 Northern Ontario Championships (17:37)
* The lead-up to the "moment" (19:15)
* Did the "moment" surprise Cheryl? (21:55)
* Current competitive status of Brendan & Lauren (22:45)
* Advice for curling parents (23:56)
* Dealing with defeat - what can parents do? (25:07)
* Do they ever take a break? (28:27)
Links to the resources mentioned in this episode:
Curling Day In Canada: "How To Make A Curling Mom Cry" article (Jan 22/21)
https://www.curlingdayincanada.ca/how-to-make-a-curling-mom-cry/
Cheryl's Twitter: @CherylRajala
Follow our podcast on Twitter: @kidscurling
Glenn Gabriel is an NCCP-certified curling coach who lives in Pickering, Ontario, Canada. He has been the coordinator of the Little Rocks (U12) program at East York Curling Club in Toronto since 2011. If you have a question or feedback on the podcast, send us an e-mail at [email protected]
The intro and outro music is "Golden Sunrise (Instrumental Version)"
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Josh_Woodward/The_Wake_1790/JoshWoodward-TheWake-NoVox-10-GoldenSunrise
By Josh Woodward
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Josh_Woodward
Licensed under CC BY 3.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
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