John Shuster’s team didn’t compete Friday night, but they left the XFINITY Arena of Everett Friday as the big winner after Todd Birr’s team defeated the local favorite, the Brady Clark rink of Lynnwood, in the semifinal of the USA Curling National Championships.
With Birr’s 8-5 victory over Clark, Shuster (Superior, Wis.) and teammates become Team USA for the World Championship April 1-9 in Edmonton, Alberta.
Birr’s team does not have enough points to overtake Shuster, regardless of Saturday’s outcome in the gold-medal game.
The Nina Roth rink (McFarland, Wis.) rink won its semifinal to clinch a spot in the World Championships.