Ella Wendling

Ella Wendling began curling at the age of six at the Wausau Curling Club in Wisconsin. After years of curling with family and friends in junior bonspiels and a Sunday family league, she transitioned into competitive play in 2019, joining Team Viau where she competed at both the lead and second positions.

With Team Viau, Ella captured multiple Wisconsin State Junior Championships, earning trips to the U18 National Championships in Fort Wayne and Rock Creek. The team reached the podium in 2023, winning the bronze medal. They also competed at the U21 level, narrowly missing playoff appearances at both the Chaska and Stevens Point championships.

Alongside her team success, Ella competed at the high school level in Wisconsin, where she gained valuable experience skipping and leading teams from a new perspective. In both the 2024 and 2025 seasons, she skipped teams to strong finishes at the U18 National Championships in Rock Creek, placing fourth and then improving to a silver medal the following year. She also expanded her positional experience by playing third for Team Hagenbuch’s U21 team. In 2026, Ella returned to the second position for Team Stopera at the Junior National Championships, her team earned a bronze medal.

Ella has also found success in Mixed Doubles with partner Benji Paral. After winning the 2024 Youth Olympic Trials, the pair represented Team USA in South Korea, earning a bronze medal. In recognition of her leadership and sportsmanship, Ella was selected as the U.S. Flag Bearer for the Youth Olympic Games Closing Ceremonies.  Their success continued with a bronze medal at the 2025 Junior National Mixed Doubles Championship and a gold medal at the 2026 National Championships, earning the opportunity to represent Team USA at the World Championships in Edmonton, Alberta.

Ella joined Team Johnson as an alternate for the 2025–26 season. She was part of the team at the 2026 Olympic Trials and the World Junior B Championships, where Team USA earned silver, and traveled with the team to Denmark for the World Junior Championships, finishing fourth.

Off the ice, Ella enjoys spending time with friends and family and has a strong passion for animals. She also enjoys expressing her creativity and is currently pursuing a degree in graphic design through Arizona State University’s online program.

Club -  Chaska Curling Club

Age - 19

Hometown - Wausau, WI

2026 - World Junior Mixed Doubles Championship (Teammate Benji Paral)

2026 - U20 Nationals Championship - Bronze - (Team Stopera)  

2026 - U21 Mixed Doubles Champsionship - Gold - (Teammate Benji Paral)

2026 - World Junior Championships - (4th Place) (Team Johnson)

2025 - World Junior B Championship - (Silver) (Team Johnson)

2025 - USA Olympic Trials - 4th Place - (Team Johnson)

2025 - USA Olympic Pre-Trials - Champion - (Team Johnson)

2025 - U21 National Championship - Bronze - (Team Hagenbuch)

2025 - U18 National Championship - Silver - (Team Wendling)

2024 - U21 Mixed Doubles National Championship - Bronze - (Teammate Benji Paral)

2024 - U21 Nationals Championship Appearance -  (Team Viau)

2024 - U18 Nationals Championship - 4th Place - (Team Wendling)

2024 - Youth Olympic Closing Ceremonies Flag Bearer

2024 - Youth Olympic Mixed Doubles - Bronze - (Teammate Benji Paral)

2023 - USA Youth Olympic Mixed Doubles - Champion - (Teammate Benji Paral)

2023 - U21 National Championship Appearance - (Team Viau)

2023 - U18 National Championship - Bronze - (Team Viau)

2022 - U18 Nationals Appearance - (Team Viau)