Curls out of: Madison Curling Club and Medford Curling Club

Curling start: "I started curling in leagues at Medford Curling Club in 1978 when asked by a friend to 'try the best sport in the world.' I dubiously tried it, and after a year I was hooked. I was on the winning team in the first bonspiel I attended (Marshfield, 1980) -- I'm sure through no efforts of my own but with some great teammates. Best sport in the world? No question."

Other sports: "Swimming (formerly the best sport in the world), biking, skiing, golf (although my friends would tell me I shouldn't include the last two because I am terrible at them.)"

Training: "In the summer, I bike between 1,500 and 3,000 miles annually. In the winter, it's down at the club, practicing a couple of times weekly, generally three league games weekly on weeknights and 'spieling three weekend monthly. When I'm not playing I'm usually watching. I've been known to travel up to three hours one way for league games."

Inspiration: "Watching Bud Somerville compete in the Nationals (Superior, 1979); watching the Steve Brown team win their first state championship in my home club (1980)."

Curling mentors: Terry Gebert, Steve Brown, Richard Maskel, George Godfrey, Paul Pustovar

Note of distinction: "I have competed in seven of 10 Second Chance competitions finally qualifying for Nationals in the last one. I am not aware of anyone who has competed in the Second Chance more often."

Interesting curling note: "I have curled in every Wisconsin curling club except one -- the Alpine Curling Club in Monroe. Hopefully next year I can complete my circuit of the Wisconsin clubs."