The Superior Curling Club held their 4 th annual mixed doubles club championship on March 24 th and 25 th .
11 teams competed for the coveted title of club champion. The field included 2018 champions Michael
and Mona O’Brien, 2019 champions Scott Laven and Lorraine Lisdahl, and 2022 champions Brian
Bergquist and Kelly Maki. The competition was open to any club member male/female pair. All leagues
were represented in the competition.
Unlike previous years, the competition was expanded to two days and included a group play phase.
Teams were divided into two groups of 4 and one group of 3. The groups of 4 played a single round
robin while the group of 3 played a double round robin. Top 2 out of each group advance, plus any team
outside the top 2 with 2 victories, to a single elimination playoff.
The group of 3 saw stiff competition between the dynamic duo of Marne Kaeske and Bob Schroer and
the O’Briens, splitting the group play games 1-1. Both teams advanced to the playoffs with a 3-1 record.
The other previous champions, Kelly Maki and Brian Bergquist and Lorraine Lisdahl and Scott Laven,
each advanced out of their groups with 3-0 and 2-1 records respectively. Also advancing out of group
play were Steve and Erin Bradshaw (3-0) and Jim and Michelle Lehto (2-1). Not advancing were Jim and
Kristy DeVera, Jon Maki and Carrie Rye, Joe Kubala and Kathy Empie, Dale Olson and Holly Steffen, and
Melissa Kuntz and Greg Rohde.
The playoff round saw the return of the blind draw. With 2 jacks (byes) available, Lorraine Lisdahl
showed great enthusiasm to drawing one jack compared to Mona O’Brien’s not quite as enthusiastic
(but still excited, just not Lorraine excited) reaction. Kelly and Brian defeated the Bradshaw siblings
while Bob and Marne continued their streak by beating the Lehtos to advance to the semis.
The semifinals saw, for the third time, Bob and Marne play the O’Briens. The O’Briens outlasted their
fierce onslaught to advance to the finals. In the match up of former champions, Scott and Lorraine
overcame a 4-0 deficit after 3 ends to secure their spot in the final with a 5-4 victory.
The 2018 champions O’Briens versus the 2019 champions Scott and Lorraine final was set. In the end,
the O’Briens came out on top with a 6-2 victory.
Thank you to all participants, this was an amazing event!
