Bemidji's Pete Fenson rink led the U.S. to an 8-2 victory over Brazil Sunday in the third and final game in the American Challenge to clinch the second North American berth for the Americans at the 2010 World Championships in April.
Fenson, Shawn Rojeski Joe Polo and Tyler George handled the Brazilians in three straight games to earn the berth for then U.S. in the best of five competition.
Fenson's next stop will be the U.S. nationals, a berth it earned earlier this winter in the first round of qualifications.
Fenson had opened with a 10-4 win in the first round against Brazil and followed with an 8-1 decision in the second.
Meanwhile, the final three berths in the men's division were decided in a companion meet at Grafton, N.D. with Kevin Karkela of North Dakota, Bryan Wight of New York and Mike Farbelow of Minnesota advancing.
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Karkela won the eight- team round robin with a 6-1 record with Wight taking second at 5-2.
Farbelow emerged from a three team playoff with Wes Johnson of Washington and Kevin Deeren of Illinois, winning twice, beating Deeren and Johnson in that order. Johnson had gained the opening bye.
Nick Myers, Jeff Puleo and Mark Willmart rounded out the Farbelow foursome.
Earning national berths in the opening round were Todd Birr of Mankato, Craig Brown of Wisconsin, Fenson, Blake Morton, Matt Stevens of Bemidji, John Shuster of Duluth and Matt Hames.
The Nationals will be held at Kalamazoo, Mich. March 6-13.
