Jack Balzano | Harrison Cantor | Eric Barron |
The Legion of Broom Over Sam’s Club | Team 7 Over Sam’s Club | Team 7 Over The Granite Bandits |
Jack Balzano:
Until as recently as this morning I would have picked Team 7 as curling champion, but due to recent findings in my investigative report, I have had to change my pick. In their recent scrimmage last weekend, Dan Erdely picked Mara Freyer over his roommate and friend Matthew Byrd, thus pitting the two against each other. Matthew Byrd has not forgiven Dan for this slight and the two have not spoken since, with Jimmy Wendolek taking Matthew’s side. The Legion of Broom are a brotherhood that care for each other which is why I am picking them to win it all. No matter what, the winner of semifinal #1 will win it all as neither Sam’s Club or The Granite Bandits have shown the skill and consistency of those two teams. Sam’s Club will put an end to the Cinderella story, that is the Granite Bandits, as Sam’s Club has more experienced players and a tougher regular season schedule.
Harrison Cantor:
In the most recent matchup between Team 7 and The Legion of Broom, the Legion of Broom came out on top. Despite this, I still believe in Team 7… one bad night does not ruin a team. Team 7 is led by former league champion James “Jimmy” Wendolek and is skipped by promising newcomer Jack Dembrak. As long as Mara Freyer, Matthew Byrd, and Dan Erdely are able to play their roles and put stones in the house, I do not see Team 7 losing this game. You’ll see them in the PSU CL championship. On the other side of the bracket, Sam’s Club should come away with a victory. While the Granite Bandits have performed well this year, playoff wins are built on the back of experience and I believe that the Bandits, being full of rookies, will have difficulty performing under the Pegula lights. However, the Granite Bandits will be my team to watch for the Spring Semester league.
Eric Barron:
The true League Championship match is happening this Sunday night. Whichever team wins the third meeting between the Legion of Broom and Team 7, will win the championship. I believe that Team 7, led by two of Penn State’s most talented curlers in Jimmy Wendolek, and Jack Dembrak will win a close game over their rivals. Sam Futch may be President of the Club, but he will not be President of the ice on Sunday. The Granite Bandits will upset a much more experienced Sam’s Club in Semifinal #2, and punch their ticket to the final. The Cinderella story will end in the championship however, as Team 7 will overpower the newcomers by a score of 6-2 and take home the Torres Memorial Trophy.