"As the rock glided down the ice sheet, Casper and his teammates slowly started to come to grips with the reality of the situation. All the hard work they had put in together was about to pay off. It became official a few seconds later. Team Casper had upset Team Shuster. The cameras caught Casper hugging John Shuster in the immediate aftermath in what felt like a passing of the torch between the faces of the sport."
"Meanwhile, Rich Ruohonen hugged Colin Hufman on the other end of the ice, navigating the joy of victory he was feeling with the agony of defeat his friend was feeling. Never mind that they were opponents at the Olympic Trials. They have built a brotherly bond over the past 25 years with curling at the forefront. He's like a little brother to me, Ruohonen said."
"The solace existed in knowing Ruohonen, 54, was finally on the precipice of getting to represent his country on the highest stage. After prevailing at the trials in dramatic fashion, Team Casper dominated at the Olympic Qualifying Event to secure its spot. That was the most stressful time for me, Ruohonen said. The only thing that would've been worse than losing the Olympic Trials would be winning the Olympic Trials and still not being able to go."
Danny Casper delivered the decisive shot at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Sioux Falls, S.D., allowing Team Casper to upset Team Shuster and secure Olympic qualification. Cameras captured Casper hugging John Shuster in a symbolic passing of the torch. Rich Ruohonen embraced longtime teammate Colin Hufman, balancing victory joy with his friend’s defeat. Ruohonen, 54, has spent 25 years building bonds through curling and finally stands on the verge of representing the country at the Olympics. Team Casper dominated the Olympic Qualifying Event to clinch its spot. Ruohonen is listed as the team’s alternate and may not play at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Read at www.twincities.com
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