USA Curling 2004-05 Athlete Biography

CURLING HIGHLIGHTS

• Women's Nationals: 2002 (2nd), 2001, 1998 (champion both years);  1999, '94 (semifinalist both years); 1997 (runner-up)
• Women’s Worlds: 2001 (5th); 1998 (7th)
• U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Curling: 2002 (1st), 1998 (3rd)
• U.S. Olympics Team – Curling: 2002 (4th)
• USCA and U.S. Olympic Committee Female Curling Athlete of the Year: 1993
• USCA Female Athlete of the Year: 2002
• Junior Nationals: 1993, '92, '90 (champion all three years)
• Junior Worlds:  1993 (bronze); 1992 (silver), 1990 (5th)
• Junior Worlds All-Star Vice Skip: 1993 and '92
• Illinois Women's State Championship: 1997, '94, and 2001 (champion each year)
• Minnesota State Junior Championships: 1993, '92, '91, '90, '89 (champion each year)

Other highlights include:

• Numerous European and Canadian Bonspiels

PERSONAL FILE
In her own words: "The 2001-2002 season will be our second year together as a team. I have played with Stacey and Ann for the past five years, and Debbie in two previous Junior Worlds. Debbie has adapted well to playing at the third position, and is a great addition to our team."

About our past season: "I was very pleased with our performance during the 2000-2001 season. I had taken off the previous season to spend more time with my family. Because of my year off and the addition of a new player, our team goal for the year was to qualify for the Olympic Trials. We well exceeded that goal. Our team qualified in two Canadian cash bonspiels and went on to win the National Championships and place 5th at the World Championship."

In her own words: "I have always curled with my sister, Stacey (Liapis), on my team. Stacey and I won five consecutive Minnesota Junior Championships together. My father has been my coach since I started curling."

Hobbies: Rock and mineral collections; collects old children’s books

Curling goals: "I think this team will only get better with time. With a full season behind us as a team, we are ready to move ahead and perform even better than last year. Our goal this year is to represent the U.S. at the Olympics. I think our team has the unity, talent, international and World experience to accomplish that goal."

Something unique about me: "I spent the summer of 1996 in Beulah, Wyoming (population 24), at a geology Field Camp. It was known as the ‘Boot Camp’ for geologists."

Team strengths: Erickson says her team is strongest playing the hit game, "but we can play the draw, too."