Curling, a sport that involves sliding heavy stones across ice towards a target, has been a part of the Winter Olympics since 1924. Over the years, the United States has won medals in various sports, but one that they have always seemed to struggle in is mixed doubles curling. However, this year, that all changed with the historic achievement of curlers Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin, who brought home the first-ever medal in the sport for the country. Let’s take a closer look at the duo who has made the nation proud and their journey to this incredible feat.
Born and raised in the United States, Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin have been passionate about curling from a young age. Both of their parents were avid curlers, and they were introduced to the sport at a very young age. Growing up, they spent countless hours practicing and honing their skills on the ice, dreaming of one day representing their country in the Winter Olympics.
Cory Thiesse, born in Duluth, Minnesota, started curling at the age of five. His parents, Mario and Angela Thiesse, were both competitive curlers and passed on their love for the sport to their son. Cory’s father also coached him and his brother, Austin, who is also a competitive curler. Under his father’s guidance, Cory quickly developed a strong technique and became a skilled player. He later went on to play for the University of Wisconsin-Superior and won multiple national titles with his team.
On the other hand, Korey Dropkin, born in Southborough, Massachusetts, also comes from a family of curlers. His parents, Jim and Chris Dropkin, were both competitive curlers who introduced him to the sport at the age of eight. His sister, Sarah, is also a professional curler. Korey’s father coached him and his sister, and they both quickly fell in love with the sport. Korey’s natural talent and hard work paid off when he became the youngest skip to win a national title at the age of 18. He went on to win two more national titles with his team and represented the United States in multiple international competitions.
The two young curlers’ paths crossed when they were just teenagers, and they immediately clicked on the ice. Both of them had a similar style of play and shared the same competitive spirit. They started playing together in mixed doubles events and quickly became a dynamic duo. Their chemistry and understanding of each other’s game were evident on the ice, and they started achieving success at a young age.
In 2016, when mixed doubles curling was announced as a new sport for the 2018 Winter Olympics, Cory and Korey knew that this was their chance to make history for their country. They dedicated themselves to training and worked tirelessly towards their goal. They even moved to Minnesota together to train full-time with their coach, Phill Drobnick, who helped them fine-tune their skills.
Their hard work and determination paid off when they qualified for the 2018 Winter Olympics. They were the first-ever American team to represent their country in mixed doubles curling at the Games. They started their Olympic journey with a convincing win against the favored Chinese team and went on to defeat the Danish team in the semifinals.
In the gold medal match, they faced off against the experienced Swiss team, who had won multiple world championships. Cory and Korey played an outstanding game, but the Swiss team proved to be a tough opponent. In the end, they settled for the silver medal, but it was still a historic achievement for the duo and the country. They became the first American curlers to win a medal at the Winter Olympics since 2006.
The entire nation was proud of Cory and Korey’s achievement, and they were welcomed home as heroes. Their success has inspired a new generation of young curlers in the country, and they have become role models for many. Their hard work, dedication, and never-give-up attitude serve as a reminder that anything is possible with passion and determination.
Apart from their success on the ice, Cory and Korey also have a strong bond off the ice. They are not only teammates but also best friends, who share a love for the sport and a common goal. They have been through ups and downs together, and their friendship and support for each other have played a crucial role in their success.
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