View photos of John through the years

Nickname: Shoostie

Curls out of: Duluth (Minn.) Curling Club

Curling start: "My dad curls, so when I decided to hang up the basketball shoes, I needed a new winter activity. I went down to the club on Junior Night and have been hooked ever since."

What he enjoys most about the sport: "I enjoy meeting new people and making new friends, even at the highest levels of competition."

Curling family: "My dad, mom, sister and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins all participate in our holiday bonspiel that the Shuster family trophy is awarded."

Other Olympic sport he'd like to try: Freestyle aerials

Curling goals: "Curl in the Olympics and medal. Curl at World Championships and medal."

Other sports: Baseball, golf, watching any sports on TV, fishing, hunting, fantasy football, wakeboarding, Halo 2

Training regimen: I curl in three leagues a week, and throw 50 rocks a day, followed by a game or two of cards."

Hobbies: "Hunting, fishing, wakeboarding, fantasy football and raising our three dogs."

Favorite motivational quote: "Everything happens for a reason."