I had so much fun learning about the college curling circuit from the Harvard Curling Club. Check out this interview with team leaders Annabelle, Ethan, and Andrew. We discuss how they balance books with brooms, the rumored recruitment of Canadian champion Brendan Bottcher as their skip, and dealing with a villainous legacy.
All jokes aside, the camaraderie they share as a team, and with their competitors, highlights the joy that curling brings to all who play. You can watch the interview or read about it below.
Inside the Harvard Curling Club
I had the incredible opportunity to interview Annabelle, Ethan, and Andrew from the Harvard Curling Club. Harvard Curling, established in 2000, has consistently qualified for the USA College Championships since 2016 and achieved commendable placements, including fourth in 2017 and 2022.
A Brief History and Introduction to the Team
Harvard Curling first emerged thanks to Canadian students at the law school nearly 25 years ago. Since then, the club has welcomed members of all levels, including undergraduates, masters students, and even PhD candidates.
Meet the Athletes
Annabelle, from Southwestern Ontario, Canada, has been curling since she was four. She has experience at the provincial level and as a coach. Currently, she studies environmental sciences and engineering at Harvard.
Andrew, from Aspen, Colorado, is relatively new to curling, starting just last year with the Harvard team. Originally a skier, Andrew majors in computer science and economics.
Ethan, a rising senior from Los Angeles now residing in Vancouver, studies government and statistics. He began curling in his freshman year at Harvard but hadn’t tried the sport before college.
The Makeup and Evolution of the Team
The team has a significant Canadian influence. Many members are dual citizens or were introduced to curling through Canadian cultural events or clubs. The team trains at Broomstones, a curling club located about 20 minutes (with zero traffic) from Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Balancing Academics and Curling
The team members explain how they manage the rigorous demands of both academic and athletic commitments. They participate in weekend bonspiels and practice weekly. As the season progresses towards national qualifiers, they increase their ice time. Multitasking is required to compete and get in their studies, but the team is a highly supportive group that seems to find a way to accomplish both.
Rivals and Friendly Competitions
While the team shares many friendly rivalries, including those with MIT and Yale, their competitions maintain a supportive and community-focused spirit. Annabelle underscores the camaraderie within the small network of college curling teams.
Learning from the Midwest
We touched on the dominance of schools like Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota in college curling. Annabelle attributes their success to the higher frequency of junior curlers and better practice facilities. These teams often train more consistently, which Harvard aims to emulate in future seasons.
Harvard Curling's Viral Moment
Ethan explained Harvard Curling's viral moment, involving a joke about recruiting Canadian national champion Brendan Bottcher as their next skip. He played along and brought Harvard Curling into the limelight within the broader curling community.
Looking Ahead: Championship Aspirations
The team's expectations for next season are high, especially with Andrew and Ethan entering their senior years. Despite the occasional portrayal as “villains” due to their affiliation with Harvard, their commitment to the joy of curling, and departing Harvard as champions, is unwavering.
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