Team Connelly [Jordan Connelly (Citrus Heights), Ashley Spalding (East Sacramento), Shannon King (El Dorado Hills), and Peg Anderson (Folsom)] captured the title after winning a tightly contested series 2-1, taking the opening game, dropping the second, and clinching the championship in a decisive third matchup. Photo courtesy of Wine Country Curling Club

ROSEVILLE, CA (MPG) - Wine Country Curling Club (WCCC) is celebrating a standout weekend after Team Spangler and Team Connelly captured championships at the 2026 Mountain Pacific Curling Association (MoPac) Arena National Playdowns, held this weekend at CurlVegas in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The wins bring two additional championship banners back to Skatetown Ice in Roseville, marking three new banners in the last month alone and leaving club members joking that they may soon be “running out of wall space.” The banners will soon take their place at Skatetown, joining a growing display of achievements that highlights Wine Country Curling Club’s continued rise as a competitive force in curling.

The event determined MoPac’s representatives to the 2026 USA Curling Arena National Championship, which will be held in November at the DFW Curling Club in Irving, Texas.

On the men’s side, six teams competed in a single round robin format, with playoff positioning determined after five games of pool play.

Team Spangler [Camren Spangler (Meadow Vista), Chris Hillman (El Dorado Hills), Steve Sampson (Roseville), and Brian Feldman (Sacramento/Florin)] finished the round robin with a 4–1 record, advancing to the championship final as one of only two teams with a single loss. In the winner-take-all final, Team Spangler secured the regional title and MoPac’s berth to the 2026 USA Curling Arena National Championship.

“Our sweepers carried us all weekend,” said skip Camren Spangler. “Tough shots are way easier when you have everyone focused on the same goal and willing to commit maximum effort.”

On the women’s side, the competition featured an all-Wine Country Curling Club showdown, as two WCCC teams battled in a best-of-three series for the regional title.

Team Connelly [Jordan Connelly (Citrus Heights), Ashley Spalding (East Sacramento), Shannon King (El Dorado Hills), and Peg Anderson (Folsom)] captured the title after winning a tightly contested series 2-1, taking the opening game, dropping the second, and clinching the championship in a decisive third matchup.

“The foundation of our team is good vibes and having fun,” said Ashley Spalding. “Our motto is have fun and make shots, and I think that mentality really carried us through the weekend. We’re incredibly excited to have another opportunity to represent our region and make our club proud at Arena Nationals.”

This year’s playdowns also marked a new chapter for arena curling visibility. All games were live-streamed, allowing curling fans across the country to follow the action remotely, while MoPac commentator Ryan Olson provided live play-by-play coverage throughout the weekend. In another first for the event, skips were mic’d up, giving viewers an inside look at strategy, communication, and decision-making on the ice.

Team Spangler [Camren Spangler (Meadow Vista), Chris Hillman (El Dorado Hills), Steve Sampson (Roseville), and Brian Feldman (Sacramento/Florin)] finished the round robin with a 4–1 record, advancing to the championship final as one of only two teams with a single loss. Photo courtesy of Wine Country Curling Club

Wine Country Curling Club also extended special thanks to CurlVegas for once again stepping up to host an important championship event for arena curlers. Finding suitable ice for arena curling events can be one of the sport’s biggest logistical challenges, making committed host partners like CurlVegas especially valuable to the arena curling community. While not technically part of the MoPac region, CurlVegas has become an invaluable partner to arena curlers across the western United States, consistently opening its doors to regional and national competition. In addition to hosting this year’s MoPac Arena National Playdowns, CurlVegas also welcomed teams from around the country for the 2025 USA Curling Arena National Championship last October, helping elevate the visibility and quality of arena curling on a national stage. Kim Strong and Brad Whitlock’s willingness to support arena curlers year after year has made a meaningful impact on the continued growth of the sport and created a home-away-from-home for many western clubs.

Wine Country Curling Club (WCCC) is the area’s premier destination for learning and playing the Olympic sport of curling. Founded in 2007 and based at Skatetown Ice Arena in Roseville since 2012, WCCC introduces hundreds of new curlers to the sport each year through Learn-to-Curl classes, leagues, corporate events, and bonspiels/tournaments.

As a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, WCCC is committed to growing curling throughout Northern California by creating welcoming opportunities for curlers of all ages and experience levels: from first-time participants stepping onto the ice for the very first time to athletes competing at the national and international level. With a strong culture of mentorship, sportsmanship, inclusivity, and community, experienced curlers proudly help newcomers learn the game and discover why curling is one of the fastest-growing winter sports in the United States.

WCCC offers year-round regular curling opportunities on five sheets of arena ice every Sunday morning and Tuesday evening, while also supporting adaptive curling, junior curling, senior curling, and competitive pathways for athletes pursuing regional, national, and international competition. Whether someone is looking for a fun new activity, a social community, or serious competition, Wine Country Curling Club strives to be the home for curling in Northern California.

For more information or to try curling, visit www.winecountrycurlingclub.com.