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| January 24,
2005 |
News article from Canoe.ca Slam Sports |
MCA still a good draw
U.S. champions tune up at spiel
By KIRK PENTON -- Winnipeg Sun
They hail from the land of grunge and Starbucks, and they come in search of solid competition and a plethora of games.
It's safe to say that Jason Larway's Seattle foursome is the only reigning national champ in the 467-rink field at the 117th annual MCA Men's Bonspiel, which kicked off last night at 24 curling clubs in and around Winnipeg.
Larway is using the world's largest bonspiel as the final tune-up for the biggest week of his curling life -- a 10-team event Feb. 19-26 in Madison, Wis., that will serve as both the U.S. national men's championship and the U.S. Olympic trials.
"When we put this team together last year, we kinda hoped to win this year," Larway said. "Winning (nationals) last year was kind of bonus.
"This year is obviously the big year. It's probably the biggest year in all of our curling careers, because this is the best chance we have of winning."
Larway's rink, which includes his brother Joel, Brandon product Doug Pottinger and Victoria native Bill Todhunter, qualified for the U.S. nationals/trials two weeks ago. Since Larway and his brother live in Seattle, Pottinger hails from Eden Prairie, Minn., and Todhunter makes his home in Appleton, Wis., Winnipeg is a great place to meet.
"This spiel is perfect, absolutely perfect," Jason Larway, 34, said yesterday. "We get a lot of games in a short period of time and we get a lot of good games against some good competition."
Larway opened the bonspiel last night with a 7-2 win over Gerald Guenther at Fort Rouge.
There are two other American rinks in the MCA that will also compete at the U.S. nationals/trials. Pete Fenson, who won the 2003 U.S. championship, and Scott Baird, a three-time American winner, both
traveled from Bemidji, Minn., to compete against Manitoba's best.
Tim Somerville represented the U.S. at the last two Olympics, but he's battling a neck injury and won't be taking part in the trials.
The Larway brothers, who also won U.S. men's titles in 2001 and 1992, may have been born and raised in the U.S. northwest, but their curling roots are planted firmly in Canada's curling heartland. His dad was born in Melita and attended Brandon University, while his mom was born and raised in
Wapella, Sask.
His dad's engineering job eventually took him to Seattle.
"Out of curiosity, he looked in the phone book and saw there was a curling club in Seattle," Jason said. "The rest is history." |
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| January 11,
2005 |
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Team Larway is on their way to Madison!
This past weekend at the St. Paul Curling Club, Team Larway qualified for the US Olympic Trials to be held in Madison, WI starting February 19 with
the finals being held ion Feb. 26.
Team Larway finished the triple elimination event with a 5-1 record,
defeating the Ben Tucker rink 9-6 in the B final to earn their spot in
Madison.
Team Larway would like to thank Dex and his ice crew, Gregg and the volunteer officials, and Beads for all their hard work in making
the weekend a success.
Congratulations to Craig Brown and Scott Baird for also qualifying from the
St. Paul event - as well to Brady Clark, Craig Disher, and Pete Fenson teams for qualifying in the Mankato event. |
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| November
16, 2004 |
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Team Larway finally broke through and qualified in the Wayside Inn - Best Western Classic.
Team Larway finished with a 5-3 record, losing their quarter final game to the Jamie King foursome from Edmonton.
Team Larway would like to extend their thanks to the entire Wayside Inn organization for putting on a great event.
Also, congratulations to Pat Ryan and his team for winning the bonspiel.
Next up for Team Larway is the Continental Cup in Medicine Hat. Scores and updates will be posted on our web site throughout the event. |
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| October 11, 2004 |
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Once again Team Larway came close to making it to the Championship round of a WCT event – losing two qualifying games at the Allied Window – West Coast Classic held this past weekend at the Royal City Curling Club in New Westminster, BC. The team finished with a 4-3 overall record and for their efforts, earned $500.00 and finished in 9th place.
Team Larway lost an “A” qualifier game to Edmonton’s Kevin Martin and a “C” qualifier to former World Junior Champion and eventual West Coast Classic winner David Hamblin of Winnipeg.
Kudos to bonspiel chairman Ken McArdle and his entire organization committee for putting on a first-class event. Also, a special thanks to all the volunteers for their hard work – the timekeepers, the ice crew, and all the others who helped out – you did an outstanding job.
And lastly, congratulations to David Hamblin and his team for winning the event – you can buy us a drink in Portage! |
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| September
30, 2004 |
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Team Larway
just returned from the Wheat City Classic in Brandon, MB. with a 3-3 record.
Regrettably, all three losses were in qualifying games, meaning the team left Brandon with no cash winnings to show for their efforts.
Team Larway would like to thank Steve Gould and the Wheat City Classic committee for organizing a first class event – and for the great weather we enjoyed over the four days.
As always, ice-maker Mark Shurek and his crew did a wonderful job on the ice – quick and nice curl in both directions.
And lastly, congratulations to the Allen Lyburn team on winning the event – and defeating Team Larway in the C event qualifier. |
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| September
12, 2004 |
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Team Larway just completed a successful "training camp" in Calgary. Working
with USCA Athlete Development Director, Ed Lukowich, and coach Don Pottinger, Team Larway participated in the "Good Times Open" bonspiel -
winning their first three games before losing to Greg Anholt's team on Sunday evening.
The weekend featured on-ice practice sessions, informational sessions with
Ed Lukowich, team meetings, and team building exercises.
Team Larway would like to thank the Calgary Curling Club and staff for their
hospitality, for accommodating our schedule, and a special thanks to the ice
crew. The ice was in great shape and we appreciated you letting stay on the
ice after our games to "work out the kinks".
Also, the team would like to give a special thanks to Katrina and John "JR"
Robinson for allowing us to stay at the Busted Shoulder Lodge, for the great
cookout on Saturday evening, and most importantly - the friendship you have
extended to the team. Team Larway's first WCT action will be at the Wheat City Classic in Brandon,
starting September 23-26. |
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| April 8th, 2004 |
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| Team USA's Jason Larway, Joel Larway and Doug Kauffman, all of Lynnwood, Wash., had the honor of tossing out the first pitch April 8 at Safeco Stadium, home of the Seattle Mariners, to open the Mariners' game against the Anaheim Angels. The Larway brothers and Kauffman will join teammates Doug Pottinger (Eden Prairie, Minn.) and Bill Todhunter (Appleton, Wis.) in representing the United States at the 2004 Ford World Curling Championships April 17-25 in Gävle, Sweden.
Bill Todhunter and Doug Pottinger regretfully couldn't
be at the event.
The Mariners opportunity and other West Coast media appearances for the players were arranged by Seattle Granite curler Tom FitzGerald. The
photos are courtesy of Tom FitzGerald and Colleen Richardson of TFG Productions.
Photos on the Gallery
Page
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| April 2nd, 2004 |
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In preparation for the upcoming World Championships, Team Larway spent the March 25-28 weekend in Calgary. Under the watchful eyes of coach Don Pottinger and USCA Athletic Development Director, Ed
Lukowich, the weekend consisted of practice – including video analysis of deliveries, practice games against top Calgary teams, and team meetings.
Team Larway would like to thank the North Hill Curling Club and the Springbank Curling Club for the use of their facilities. Also, to Garth Smith, John Morris, Mickey
Pendergast, and their teams - we appreciate you giving up your time to play Team Larway in practice games. We enjoyed the competition and camaraderie – thanks guys.
And last but not least – a special thanks to John Robinson, for sharing the Broken Shoulder Resort with the team. Wow, what a place to use for a team retreat!
J.R. – thank you so much - for the hospitality, the use of the lodge, the great dinner, and the Canadian money in “No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em”
See pictures from the weekend on our Gallery page.
Again, thanks to all – Team Larway |
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| March 6th, 2004 |
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GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Jason Larway’s Washington 1 rink will represent the U.S. at the 2004 Ford World Curling Championships after knocking off defending national champion Pete Fenson rink, 6-4, in the men’s final of the 2004 USA Curling National Championships at the Purpur Arena.
Larway (Lynnwood, Wash.) and teammates Doug Pottinger (Eden Prairie, Minn.), Joel Larway (Lynnwood, Wash.), Bill Todhunter (Appleton, Wis.) and Doug Kaufmann (Seattle) will represent the U.S. at the 2004 Ford World Curling Championships April 17-25 in
Gävle, Sweden – a moment the team has been working hard for all season.
“If you look back on the whole season we’ve been building towards this,” Larway said. “We didn’t play real well our first few events of the year and have improved with each competition and learned from our mistakes.”
The game was conservative with Fenson (Bemidji, Minn.) and teammates Eric Fenson (Bemidji), Shawn Rojeski (Virginia, Minn.) and John Shuster (Chisholm, Minn.) holding on to the hammer until the fourth end when they were forced to take one. Both teams played well overall with the key to the match coming in the eighth end when Washington stole one.
“We got the right hit and rolls when we needed to and made the rights shots at the right time,” Larway said.
Team USA (10-2) was drawing for three when Fenson’s last rock rubbed on a top guard allowing the steal by Washington.
“We didn’t have a lot of chances today but we saw the opportunity for three in the eighth and it didn’t curl the way we thought it would,” said
Fenson, a three-time national champion. “The ice was straighter today and that didn’t help us any in the end plus they played it better than us.”
In the ninth end Team USA tied the game up when Fenson drew the four-foot for two. Washington kept the rings clean in the 10th. Fenson attempted to corner freeze to Washington’s shot rock but came up short and left it exposed. Larway easily picked it out to win the national championship title.
“We’ve put a lot of time and money into going to events this year and that’s what it takes to get to where we are right now,” said
Larway, 33, a senior accountant.
Larway also had the opportunity to avenge his team’s loss in the 1993 nationals final to Fenson when he played third on Scott Baird’s rink.
“When you lose a final you don’t tend to forget it. But if we were going to lose to a team this is the one we would want to lose to,” Larway said of the Fenson rink. “We’re all such good friends and our families are close.”
The Larway rink will be joined in Sweden by Patti Lank’s Wisconsin rink which defeated the 2003 world champion Debbie McCormick rink 10-5 earlier in the day.
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| January
18th, 2004 |
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Washington
State Playdowns
Team Larway has won the Washington State
Championship. The team went 7 - 0 to clinch the title. The championship
game pitted Team Larway against Team Kauffman with Team Larway coming out
on top with a final score of 8 - 6. Congratulations Team Larway! Click
here to see the line scores from the Washington State Playdowns. |
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| January 5, 2004 |
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Seattle Cash Spiel
Recap.
In action from the Granite Curling Club in Seattle, Team Larway lost its first game to the Greg Monkman rink from
Chilliwack, BC, then went on a three game winning streak to finish second in Pool B - behind Team Monkman – and qualifying for Sunday’s Championship round of play.
In the Championship round, Team Larway fell behind a tough Brady Clark rink and eventually lost 9-6. For their efforts, Team Larway picked up $450.00 in prize winnings, but more importantly, gained valuable experience for the State Playdowns being held on January 16 – 18 at the Granite Curling Club.
Team Larway would like to thank the event organizers and volunteers for time and efforts. We would also like to thank Don Pottinger and Ed Lukowich for their input – which will serve the team well in the upcoming weeks. |
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| Decmeber 15,
2003 |
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Action from the LaBatt’s Cash Spiel in Duluth, MN.
Team Larway goes 5-0 in pool play before losing a tough, well played game to Team Roe in the first game of the championship round. For their efforts, Team Larway picked up $500.00 in winnings, but more importantly, played 6 quality games against high caliber competition.
In extra-curricular action, Team Larway successfully pulled off another Three-Man Dead Lift. With the assistance of “big-man”, Scott Banker, Scott attempted to lift three men off the floor - a combined weight of 480 pounds! A special thanks goes out to the three people used in the lift – outside “wingmen” Craig Brown and Tyler George and the critical center man, Ted McCann.
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October 10, 2003
Werner Electric Supply joins Team Larway as title sponsor. |
Werner Electric
is your single source for all of your electrical needs. Since 1948, Werner Electric Supply has provided customers with quality electrical products and offers a broad range of services to support your electrical needs. Werner Electric Supply has 8 locations throughout Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
As well as the Wisconsin operation, Werner Electric of Minnesota has six locations serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Werner Minnesota is the result of a joint venture between
Werner Electric of Wisconsin and Van Meter Industrial of Cedar Rapids Iowa.
Team Larway would like to thank Werner Electric for their support!
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August 28, 2003
Team Larway is proud to announce Createch Professional Marketing as a sponsor. |
Jeff
Domro, President of Createch said, “…curling is a new venture for Createch and we look forward to working with Team
Larway.” Createch, www.createchinc.com is a full service screen print and embroidery provider that will supply Team Larway with on-ice jackets and all embroidery needs.
Team Larway would like to thank Createch for their support. |
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