Rice Lake Men's Invitational 2013

2013 Rice Lake Men's Invitational

     In February, 2012, two teams from the Columbus Curling Club traveled to the Rice Lake Curling Club, in Rice Lake, WI.  We had such a good time, that we returned again in 2013 with three teams!  As you can see, they have a four sheet club, with wonderful ice.  Last year, the temps were in the 40's, which is really warm for February in Wisconsin.  

This year, we got to experience temps as cold as 17 degrees BELOW zero.  It was great!  Also, we managed to unify our gear a little from the obsessive compulsiveness of Bryan Wilson.  Don't we look pretty?!

Both years, a group of us stayed at the Wickman family farm in Spooner, which is about 30 minutes North of the club.  Mamma Wickman is in the photo.  She was so great while we were there and came to watch a lot of the curling with other cousins and family members as well.  It was like the Columbus Teams had the largest cheering section.  Talk about a home sheet advantage!

The teams were:

Rink Wickman                             Rink Moellman                       Rink Johnson
Craig Wickman - Skip (Lead)      David Van Daren - Lead        Jonathan Yardley - Lead
Ryan Green - Second                   Larry Cook - Second              Jack Gaynor - Second
Bryan Wilson - Third                   Tracy Lutze - Vice                  Stephen Imes - Vice
Adam Huffman - Vice (Fourth)    Ryan Moellman - Skip           Eric Johnson - Skip

Last year, we took the Broom Shooter that was created by Steve Shaffer.  It was so popular at the club, someone from Rice Lake made one of their own.  So, when Eric Johnson brought it from the CCC again this year, we were able to do whole sheet broom shooters, with the chant, "Broom Shooter, Broom Shooter, SWEEP, SWEEP, SWEEP!" Then everyone takes a shot of their beverage of choice.

Considering that we had some strong competition, the teams did relatively well.  They had the brackets posted on the walls, which I pictured.

We ended up with two teams from Columbus in the Finals!!!  Not bad, if I do say so myself.  Rink Wickman was in the 3rd Event, and Rink Moellman (Lemke) was in the 4th Event.

Of course, the entire trip didn't revolve around curling.  We were so near the home of the Leinenkugel's Brewery, that we had to hit it again. Below, we are photographed in the Leinie Lodge.

Well, I can't speak for everyone else, but I had a blast and plan on heading back again next year!!!