A Bothell man took a step toward qualifying for the 2018 U.S. Olympic Trials, claiming a berth in the 2017 Curling Mixed Doubles National Championship on Jan 28 in Eleveth, Minn.

Bothell’s Derek McClean and teammate Alex Carlson defeated Sara Anderson and former Olympian Craig Brown, 6-4, on Jan. 28 to qualify for nationals.

The national championships are scheduled for March 1-5 at the Four Season Curling Club in Blaine, Minn. The top five teams from the event will earn berths in the 2018 Olympic Mixed Doubles Team Trials for curling, should the U.S. qualify for the Olympic Winter Games in South Korea.