The goal of this page is to create an awareness of Junior Curling and the potential for diverse youth competitive opportunities by highlighting Team Hebert’s unique “Local Team” quest for gold. This is an unusual situation because all team members and their Coach are Eau Claire Curling Club-based.
A special thank you to ECCC members for being patient as these kids learned the game, for supporting their fundraisers, and for teaching them unique parts of the competition.
The Eau Claire Curling Club (ECCC) is pleased to highlight Team Hebert as it continues its competitive journey which began in 2019. The team members include: Caden Hebert, Skip; Benji Paral; Jackson Bestland; Jack Wendtland; and Shane Nelson. Currently Eau Claire North and Memorial High School students, their curling careers began at an early age in the ECCC’s Saturday Junior League. Caden began curling at age 7, Benji at 7, Jackson at 13, Jack at 13, and Shane at age 9.
In 2018 they started curling together, informally, as a team, in ECCC’s Junior Program. Over time they joined additional club leagues and broadened to Junior and Open Bonspiels, and other competitions to gain experience. In 2021, Team Hebert curled in their first Junior National Championship. Follow their Competitive Journey below..
Back: Jack Wendtland, Coach Mike Peplinski Front: Jackson Bestland, Caden Hebert, Benji Paral, CJ Peca
Since 2019, Team Hebert has been coached by long time ECCC member, Mike Peplinski, (1998 Olympic Curler at 24 years old, Nagano, Japan. This was the first time that curling was held as an official Olympic sport). Mike is currently USA Curling National Junior Development Coach.
Team Hebert's goal is to compete at the international level . Their routine includes league play, local and regional bonspiels, and regional and national competitions – and of course practice. Under the direction of Coach Peplinski, practices began on Tuesdays before school with additional individual practice as schedules permit. Coach Pep recently reflected - “Great kids, great families, and [a strong] work ethic, following the Spirit of Curling. …their success out in Colorado [2023 U18 National Champions] was the icing on the cake.” Team Hebert curlers are each members of the Wisconsin State Curling Association and the United States Curling Association
Competitive Journey
2023 WFG Canadian Junior Cup - Champions
December 28-30, 2023 | Oshowa, ON
2024 USA Curling U21 National Championships - Silver
March 25-30, 2024 | Eau Claire Curling Club, Eau Claire, WI
2023 USA Curling U21 National Championships - Silver
April 3-8, 2023 | Broomstones Curling Club, Wayland, MA
- Katie Beck Memorial Award: Benji Paral
- Given annually to junior curlers that show "coachability, good sportsmanship, a positive attitude, and a commitment to competitive junior curling"
- Developmental Coach of the Tear: Mike Peplinski
2022 USA Curling U21 National Championships - Fourth Place
April 23-30, 2022 | Stevens Point Curling Club, Plover, WI
2021 USA Curling U21 National Championships - Fifth Place
August 2021 | Chaska Curling Center, Chaska, MN
- Team Hebert – 2021 Curtis Cup Award Winners Team Sportsmanship Award, Voted by all players.
- Caden Hebert – 2021 Bev Schroeder Memorial Award Winner Outstanding 1st time Junior National's Curler. Voted by coaches for a rookie.
2024 USA Curling U18 National Championships - Champions
January 2024 | Rock Creek Curling Club, Denver, CO
WEAU: Team Hebert wins U18 Curling National Championship
2023 USA Curling U18 National Championships - Champions
January 2023 | Rock Creek Curling Club, Denver, CO
- Caden Hebert – 2023 Garland Legacie Sportsmanship Award
WEAU: Eau Claire teens capture 2023 National U18 Curling Championship
Shane Nelson (alternate), Jack Wendtland (lead), Benji Paral (second), Jackson Bestland (vice-skip), Caden Hebert (skip), Mike Peplinski (coach)
2022 USA Curling U18 National Championships - Participant
Fort Wayne Curling Club, Fort Wayne, IN
2019 USA Curling U18 Wisconsin Playdowns - First U18 Experience
2022 Badger State Games Junior Division - Bronze
January 2022 | Wausau Curling Club, Wausau, WI
2022 Badger State Games Eight End
Bonspiel History
- 2024 Open Bonspiel, Winner, January 2024, Eau Claire Curling Club
- 2023 Open Bonspiel, Winner, January 2023, Eau Claire Curling Club
- Metropolis Junior Bonspiel – Eau Claire Curling Club
- 2023 Winner U21 Boys Division
- 2022 3rd Place
- 2021 2nd Place
- 2019 1st Event Champion, Developmental Division
- 2023 90th Annual St Paul Men's International, 2nd Place, St Paul Curling Club, February 2023
- First time in 90 years Juniors made it to the finals
- 2022 Runner Up, Kyle Satrom Memorial Junior Bonspiel, Competitive Division, St Paul Curling Club
- 2022 1st Event Runners Up, Tune Up Spiel, Rice Lake Curling Club, (September)
- 2022 2nd Place, Madison Junior Bonspiel, Madison Curling Club (December)
- 2021 2nd Event Champions, Rice Lake Bonspiel Rice Lake Curling Club (December)
- 2020 Winner, Kyle Satrom Memorial Junior Bonspiel - Developmental Division, St Paul Curling Club
- 2019 1st Event Winner, U18 Developmental Division, Wausau Jr. Bonspiel, Wausau Curling Club
Donor Appreciation
Caden, Benji, Jackson, Jack, and Shane wish to recognize and thank those friends, family, curlers, and businesses who have so generously donated funds to the team in support of their competitive goals.
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to become a donor.
