- Washington's Brady Clark captured his 10th mixed title with wife Cristin Clark after defeating Wisconsin's Sean Murray, 9-2, on Saturday afternoon at the 2015 USA Curling Mixed National Championship in Blaine, Minn.
The Clarks, who won their first title in 2002, and teammates Sean Beighton (Seattle) and Jillian Walker (Seattle) will now represent the U.S. at the inaugural World Mixed Championship Sept. 12-19 in Berne, Switzerland.
"It is a dream come true to have won our 10th U.S. Mixed Nationals and become Team USA after earning our right to compete in the inaugural world mixed championship," said Brady Clark, 37, who also won the men's national title in 2013.
Washington got off to a fast start against Sean Murray (Columbus, Ohio) and his team of Heather Betzhold (Hartland, Wis.), Dan Wiza (Waunakee, Wis.), and Paige Caulum (Middleton, Wis.) as they stole five points over the first two ends. After Wisconsin was held to a single in the third end, Washington blasted Wisconsin for three points to put the game out of reach.
In the bronze medal game, Colorado's Darrick Kizlyk defeated Alaska's Greg Persinger rink, 5-2, to put the team on the podium for the first time at this event. Kizlyk and teammates Cynthia Smith (Denver), Justin Boshoven (Castle Rock, Colo.), and Dena Rosenberry (Manitou Springs, Colo.) were tied with Alaska, 2-2, at the halfway point but held on to the hammer to patiently earn a deuce in the seventh end. Persinger and his team of Vicky Persinger, Chad Persinger, and Tina Persinger (all of Fairbanks, Alaska) could not score in the eighth and Colorado stole the point to sew up the win.
Line score, gold medal:
*Wisconsin (Sean Murray) 001 010 xx - 2
Washington (Brady Clark) 320 301 xx - 9
Line score, bronze medal:
Alaska (Greg Persinger) 000 110 00 - 2
*Colorado (Darrick Kizlyk) 101 000 21 - 5
*last rock in first end
Gold medalists, Washington: Brady Clark (Lynnwood, Wash.), Cristin Clark (Lynnwood, Wash.), Sean Beighton (Seattle), and Jillian Walker (Seattle)
Silver medalists, Wisconsin: Sean Murray (Columbus, Wis.), Heather Betzhold (Hartland, Wis.), Dan Wiza (Waunakee, Wis.), Paige Caulum (Middleton, Wis.)
Bronze medalists, Colorado: Darrick Kizlyk (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Cynthia Smith (Denver), Justin Boshoven (Castle Rock, Colo.), Dena Rosenberry (Manitou Springs, Colo.)
USA Curling is sponsored by AtomOS, Nike, Brooms Up Curling Supplies, The RAM Restaurant & Brewery, BalancePlus, and Sitrin, and is partnered with HiltonHonors, United Airlines, CurlingZone, and RJM Licensing, Inc.