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New at Q Sports?
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SPEEDSKATER KATHERINE RUETTER - WORLD CUP #1 - GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE
CHICAGO, IL, SEPTEMBER 21, 2009 - Speedskater Katherine
Reutter is on a roll. After claiming her third consecutive US National
Championship and securing her spot on the 2010 Olympic Team barely more than
a week ago at the US Olympic Trials in Marquette, MI, Reutter flew to the
other side of the world to see where she stands against speedskating's
international best. After completing the first World Cup competition of the
2009-10 Olympic season the answer is clear. Reutter is ready and has
established herself as one of the world's best-on-blades.
Beijing, China was the site of the four day International Skating Union's
World Cup opener. Reutter began the competition with a bronze medal finish
in the 1500 meter event, later adding sliver in the 3000 meter relay (with
teammates Allison Baver, Kimberly Derrick, Allison Dudek) and gold in the
1000 meters.
Next weekend the World Cup circuit moves on to Seoul, Korea.
To watch international TV coverage of the events follow these links:
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Greg Bennett wins Nautica
NY Triathlon - 4th TimeNew York, NY, July 27, 2009
- With the help of yet another blazing run through the hills of NYC's
Central Park, three-time reigning Nautica NYC Triathlon winner Greg Bennett
(Boulder, CO) made it four in a row yesterday against a talented
professional field that included both Andy Potts (second) and Matt Reed
(third). The victory kept in tact Bennett's remarkable string of fifteen
consecutive podium appearances in the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon Series
that has included eleven first place finishes. Two weeks ago, Bennett,
Potts and Reed came down to a sprint finish at the Lifetime Fitness
Minneapolis Triathlon where Bennett was forced to settle for third.
"In Minneapolis I was still nursing an injury, so
when it came down to the finish kick I had to let Andy and Matt go, which
mentally wasn't easy to do, said Bennett.
But it's a long season and I felt that if I
gave myself a couple more weeks of proper training and treatment that I'd be
100% here in NY. It feels great to win this race again. This course is
very difficult and this event always has great energy...afterall it's New
York. It's been very, very good to me and I will be back next year to see
if I can make it five. In the meantime, me, Andy and Matt have ourselves a
bit of drama building up here with this series so I'm anxious to get on to
Chicago and go at it with those guys again."
Bennett will test his podium streak next at the
Lifetime Fitness Triathlon on August 30th in Chicago.
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Speedy
Peterson Returns to World Cup Podium - Lake Placid, NY (Jan. 18) -
Jeret "Speedy" Peterson (Boise, ID) notched the seventh World Cup victory of his
career as he won the 2009 Nature Valley Freestyle Challenge aerials competition
in Lake Placid Sunday. Teammate Emily Cook (Belmont, MA) joined Peterson on the
podium finishing third, her fourth career podium.
"This is something I am really excited about, mostly because I had taken a year
and a half off and I always had that second thought of whether it was a good
idea or not," Peterson said. "This definitely eases my mind and brings my
confidence back up."
Peterson's last win came at Deer Valley Resort in Park City two years ago where
he won back-to-back aerial World Cups and set a record for the highest score
received for his trick "the hurricane." In Placid, Peterson made a full, double
full, full (three flips including a full twist, double twist, full twist) for
his first jump, then a double full, full, full (three flips including a double
twist, a full twist and a full twist) for his second.
"Those jumps were close to perfection. It was a very high scoring event for
him," Aerials Head Coach Matt Christensen said. "We're not looking at the win as
much as we are perfect jumps and obviously when you get that from these athletes
the results are there. He's jumping well. Everything has come together."
Ryan St. Onge (Winter Park, CO) finished fifth.
According to Peterson, prior to Sunday's competition things weren't clicking.
But on game day, he could do no wrong.
"I had a lot of things I was working on this week and it wasn't all clicking
together. But something happened today and my jumping was on fire. Everything
was going just the way I wanted it to go," Peterson said.
With a season of World Cups and the 2009 World Championships in his sights,
Peterson is happy to have a level of confidence that he believes will carry him
far.
"Confidence was something I was struggling with at the season's first World Cup
in China. It had been so long since I had been in the gate," Peterson said. "But
I felt great this week. I had the confidence that I needed and everything was
just clicking.
It definitely builds the confidence and I hope to continue from there."
Cook landed a full, double full (two flips including a full twist and a double
twist) and a double full, full (two flips including a double twist and a full
twist) and says competing her planned 2010 Olympic package for the first time
was great.
"I am super excited, especially because it was my first time competing the
double full, full full. It's the trick that I am planning on competing at the
Olympics, so it's just awesome," Cook said. "It's a new trick for me just this
week and training was a little bit shaky. My coaches did a great job working
with me. I don't know if I have ever been so excited in my career to have a jump
like that."
Jana Lindsey (Black Hawk, SD) followed Cook in fifth, tying her career best.
According to Christensen, Cook's willingness to get back on the horse is what
puts her ahead of the pack.
"She had a crash where she landed backwards on this new jump two days ago, so we
got her back up and made her do another one. aIt was huge and that brought her
back in to a good state," Christensen said. "It just shows how much of a winner
she is that she's able to come back and do that. She went up there, got it done
and got on the podium this weekend."
With a podium under her belt after throwing two new jumps for the first time,
Cook is looking forward to what future competitions hold for her.
"It's all about preparation and momentum. We are aiming to peak at Worlds and
especially next year in Vancouver," Cook said. "Basically putting down the two
jumps that I plan on competing at worlds and in Vancouver and being on the
podium the first week that I compete them was just really exciting. Now we are
building and being on the podium builds momentum for the future."
For Christensen, the jumping venue was excellent and thee Team couldn't have
asked for more in Placid.
"The jump site at Lake Placid is the best it has ever been in the 20 years I
have been involved in this sport," Christensen said. "ORDA (Olympic Regional
Development Authority) as well as the organizing committee did an amazing job
here."
The Team next competes in Mont Gabriel, BC, Jan. 24-25 before heading to Utah
for the Visa Freestyle International at Deer Valley Resort Jan. 29-31.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
2009 FREESTYLE FIS WORLD CUP
2009 Nature Valley Freestyle Challenge
Lake Placid, NY - Jan. 18, 2009
Aerials
Men
1. Jeret Peterson, Boise, ID, 252.59
2. Kyle Nissen, Canada, 244.92
3. Warren Shouldice, Canada, 243.03
4. Andreas Isoz, Switzerland, 241.50
5. Ryan St. Onge, Winter Park, CO, 236.89
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12. Scotty Bahrke, Tahoe City, CA, 200.18
17. Dylan Ferguson, Amesbury, MA, 100.22
21. Matt DePeters, Hamburg, NY, 88.73
Women
1. Alla Tsuper, Belarus, 189.98
2. Mengtao XU, China, 186.11
3. Emily Cook, Belmont, MA, 184.70
4. Xin Zhang, China, 183.64
5. Jana Lindsey, Black Hawk, SD, 178.05
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18. Lacy Schnoor, Draper, UT, 74.65
# # #
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Hedrick & Reutter Claim National
Championships Titles
Hedrick wins Long Track Nationals...read
it here
Reutter wins Short Track
- Saint Louis Post-Dispatch, Monday, December 22, 2008 -
Katherine Reutter fought off the residuals of Saturday's
spill to successfully defend her title in the U.S. Short Track Championships on
the final day of competition Sunday at Hardee's Iceplex. After being
disqualified in the 500 meters Saturday, she dropped to second place, nearly 500
points behind Kimberly Derrick of Caledonia, Mich.
"I was really stressed about that," Reutter said. "I knew I couldn't afford even
second place today."
The race for the women's title tightened in the 1,000 meters when Reutter edged
Derrick, winning in 1 minute, 32.885 seconds. Reutter tucked into second at the
start and stayed there through seven of the nine laps, then moved on the inside
past Derrick and held her off for the final two laps. Reutter regained the lead
with a victory in the 3,000 meters in 5:08.576. She smartly picked up an extra
150 points for being the leader on the ninth lap of the 27-lap race, a carrot
that race organizers include as incentive to keep the pace lively for the
longest of the meet's individual events. She took the lead for keeps with four
laps remaining, slipping past two-time Olympian Allison Baver on the inside,
then holding off Baver and Derrick, in that order.
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2010 Olympic
Preview - With the Beijing Games complete,
America's winter Olympians are actively gearing up for the Vancouver 2010
Games - now only 17 months away. The Q Sports 2010 Olympic
Preview includes profiles our winter clients - 17 athletes who have
combined to win 18 Olympic medals - as well as an overview of our company
and case study samples of our work leading into Beijing.
Q Sports Marketing was founded on a tradition of winter
sports excellence, a tradition our snow and ice athletes are poised, and
anxious, to continue in Vancouver. Returning 3-time Olympic medalist Chad Hedrick
(speedskating) will lead the charge back to the podium. '06 silver
medalists Shauna Rohbock & Valerie Fleming (bobsled), who
seldom miss a World Cup podium, are fixated on gold. Skeleton athletes
Zach Lund and Eric Bernotas, who currently
hold four different track records between them, have clearly established
themselves as two of the fastest sliders in the world...the question is,
'Who's faster?' Luge athlete Mark Grimmette is prepping
for his fifth Olympic Games, seeking to add gold to his existing silver and
bronze collection. After shattering a world record and winning five World
Cup medals last year, short-tracker Katherine Reutter is
now regularly drawing comparisons to one of America's all-time Olympic
icons, Bonnie Blair. Reutter threatens to be a break-out star in
Vancouver. These are just some of the champion athletes Q Sports has
assembled who will lead Team USA in Vancouver 2010.
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By B.J. Hoeptner Evans // USA Volleyball // May 19, 2008
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 18, 2008) – Bronze was the look
for the U.S. beach volleyball teams of Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs and
also Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers at SWATCH FIVB World Tour events on
Sunday.
On a rainy Sunday in Seoul, Korea, second-seeded Branagh (Orinda, Calif.) and
Elaine Youngs (El Toro, Calif.) of the United States scored a 2-1 (21-19,
13-21, 15-7) victory in 49 minutes over top-seeded Juliana Felisberta Silva
and Larissa Franca of Brazil. Branagh and Youngs shared the $14,000
third-place prize and points toward Olympic qualifying.
Branagh and Youngs are second among U.S. women’s beach teams trying to qualify
for the 2008 Olympic Games. The United States will send two teams to Beijing.
The victory was also the Americans’ first victory over Juliana and Larissa in
four SWATCH meetings.
Branagh and Youngs advanced to the bronze-medal match with a 2-0 (21-16,
21-17) victory over countrywomen Tyra Turner (Fort Meyers Beach, Fla.) and
Rachel Wacholder (Laguna Beach, Calif.), seeded 13th, who finished the
tournament tied for fifth.
Juliana and Larissa advanced by defeating the U.S. team of Jen Boss (San Juan
Capistrano, Calif.) and April Ross (Costa Mesa, Calif.), who also tied for
fifth.
In the gold-medal match, Chen Xue and Xi Zhang captured their third SWATCH
FIVB World Tour title by defeating Brazilians Shelda Bede and Ana Paula
Connelly on the wet centre court sand at the Han River Jamsil Citizen Park.
In the men’s SWATCH FIVB World Tour event in Roseto degli Abruzzi, Italy,
top-seeded Dalhausser (Ormond Beach, Fla.) and Rogers (Santa Barbara, Calif.)
defeated second-seeded Emanuel Rego and Ricardo Santos, the reigning Olympic
champions, in the bronze-medal match, 24-22, 26-24 in 63 minutes to share the
$14,000 third-place prize.
Dalhausser and Rogers lead the U.S. men in Olympic qualifying points.
In the gold-medal match, third-seeded Brazilians Harley Marques and Pedro
Salgado teamed to win for the fifth-time in their last seven international
events by posting a 2-1 (20-22, 21-18, 15-8) win over 11th-seeded Julius Brink
and Christoph Dieckmann of Germany in 62 minutes.
Brink and Dieckmann were responsible for sending the U.S. team of Matt
Fuerbringer (Costa Mesa, Calif.) and Casey Jennings (Las Vegas, Nev.), seeded
20th, packing after defeating them 2-0 (24-22, 21-19) in the seventh-place
match.
The three U.S. women’s teams are scheduled to play next weekend at the SWATCH
FIVB World Tour event in Osaka, Japan while Jake Gibb (Bountiful, Utah) and
Sean Rosenthal (Redondo Beach, Calif.), Fuerbringer-Jennings and Stein Metzger
(Honolulu, Hawai’i) and Mark Williams (Los Angeles, Calif.) are schedule to
play in Zagreb, Croatia.
Complete results and photos are available on the FIVB beach Web site at
www.fivb.org/EN/BeachVolleyball/index.asp.
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Roach
Solidifies Olympic Dream
May 17, 2008
ATLANTA, GA - On Saturday afternoon, with 228.8 lbs. pressed decisively
overhead of her 117 lbs. frame, Melanie Roach knew that she was no longer a
long time Olympic hopeful. In that moment, she had capped a remarkable
physical, emotional and spiritual comeback story that has earned her the elite
right to now be referred to as Melanie Roach - Olympian.
"Once I got 104 (kilos, 228.8 lbs.) I knew that was
it, that would be good enough to do it. I think it's going to take a while for
it to really set in. It's hard to explain, but I feel like today was more
about an opportunity for me to say thank you to all of the people who made
this moment possible. I've taken such great joy out of the journey already, I
feel like the years of preparation have been a blessing in my life that I'm
fortunate to have had, but I know that it couldn't have worked, this wouldn't
have happened without enormous support from so many people. I feel like
making this team was a way for me to say to all of those people, thank you and
we did it!" - Melanie
Roach
Roach's emotional Saturday afternoon was preceded on Friday evening by ABC
World News anchor Charlie Gibson's nationally broadcast good luck wish to her
and selection of Roach as the ABC News Person of the Week.
For the millions of people who have ever suffered the agony of even a minor
back injury, Roach's physical accomplishment is particularly astounding.
Eight years ago her Olympic dreams were derailed by a serious spine injury
that appeared to have ended her career. A state of the art surgery, known as
microdiscectomy, performed at LA's
D.I.S.C. Spine and Sports Center in 2006 revived her career and has left
her as America's number one ranked weightlifter heading in to Beijing.
"There are a lot of people, on a
long list, who made this day possible for me but one who stands out is Dr.
Bray. If not for him, and his understanding that I was just not ready to
give up, this day never would have happened." ~MR
For the nearly 1.5 million American families coping with autism, the Roach
family, whose middle son Drew (5) is autistic, is a distinct light of
inspiration. At the insistence of his mother, Drew took his first plane
trip, across the country from Bonney Lake, WA, to join his father (Dan),
sister (Camille - 2), brother (Ethan - 6) and an enormous collection of Team
Roach fans to watch his mom become an Olympian.
"I wanted Drew, my children, my husband...everyone
to be here for this moment. We've had our share of challenges as a family,
it's a wonderful blessing to be able to share a family triumph." ~MR
For countless mothers across the country Melanie's story of personal dreams,
motherhood and strength of family has proven to be a resonating inspiration
in the wake of her growing media attention.
From: xxxxxxxxx@hotmail.com
To: roachgymnastics@hotmail.com
Subject: Good Luck in Olympic Quest!
Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 16:07:03 -0700
Hello Melanie and family
I don't think I have ever sent a random e-mail like this-but was so touched
by your amazing story in the New York Times (and the online video). I just
wanted to say how inspiring you are to "regular" moms like me. Your patience
and strength, especially with your boy Drew, are amazing. I am sure there
are challenging and heartbreaking moments but really, your approach and your
strong marriage are just uplifting to see (pun intended!)
I am e-mailing this story to many mom-friends to be inspired also. Please
know we are rooting for you in your Olympic quest and rooting for your
family in life.
Best Wishes!
Trish xxxxxxxxxxxxx
(Richmond, California)
Olympian Melanie Roach
will compete at the
2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China
on Sunday, August 10th.
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Finding Inner Strength - New York Times
By
GREG BISHOP
Published: May 6, 2008
SUMNER, Wash. — Melanie Roach is a former gymnast who owns
a gymnastics facility. Her husband is a state legislator. At 33, she is the
mother of three young children, including 5-year-old Drew, who is
autistic. And she can lift 238 pounds over her head.
All of which makes her one of America’s most unlikely
Olympic hopefuls.
For a start, Roach, who is 5 feet 1 inch and 117 pounds,
looks nothing like a weight lifter. She was a gymnast until 10 years ago,
when she left behind a middling career, took up weight lifting and in 1998
set an unofficial world record by lifting twice her body weight, a first for
an American woman.
But she hyperextended her right elbow four months before
the world championships in 1999 and had a herniated disk in her back eight
weeks before the Olympic trials in 2000. She attempted to compete despite
the injury, only to end up crying in the stands.
The back injury bothered her for seven years — through
three pregnancies and three times as many comeback attempts.
“She rose to greatness so quickly, and then all of a
sudden it was over,” said Roach’s training partner Alexis Reed. “You almost
asked yourself, a year or two later, ‘Did that really happen?’ ”
The problems she encountered in competition were nothing
compared with the challenge she confronted with Drew after his autism was
diagnosed in 2005. Roach said she was preoccupied with everything he would
never be able to do — school dances, church missions, college classes. He
did not have bad days; he had bad weeks, bad months, filled with relentless
tantrums.
“It was literally in a week my life changed,” Roach said.
“I went into
depression. I went through a mourning process. Almost like I lost a
child.”
She said she would kneel at his bedside every night,
praying he would get better.
In December 2005, Roach, a Mormon, went to see her bishop.
“This is not what I signed up for,” she said.
“This is exactly what you signed up for,” he replied. That
message not only changed her outlook about Drew, it changed her outlook
about weight lifting.
“She learned that no matter how much money and time she
put into it, she couldn’t change the outcome,” said her husband, Dan. “That
has really helped with lifting. In the end, it’s the same concept.”
The family spent $25,000 on specialized therapy for Drew,
and he has shown improvement. The family developed routines and safeguards.
Every door, pantry and bedroom in their house is locked, even from the
inside. They cut gluten from his
diet, calming his demeanor and increasing his comprehension.
They do not watch television in the morning, so Drew can
get ready for school without distraction. From 1 a.m. to 4 a.m., Dan takes
care of Drew, when he often throws what the family calls parties, jumping on
the bed, opening and shutting the bedroom door 20 times, breaking into fits
of giggles.
“Still, Drew isn’t able to come up and tell me how his day
is,” Roach said. “There will always be a part of him I cannot get to.”
Each morning when Drew boards the bus, Roach looks him in
the eye and says goodbye. She makes eye contact and says, “I’m waiting.” “I
love you,” Drew says back.
As much as Drew helped his mother learn to enjoy weight
lifting, the constant movement of the complex family helps him, too. Drew
used to throw fits when confronted with new environments, like when they
turned left at a certain stoplight instead of right toward his grandmother’s
house.
But autism is a challenge they will always confront, long
after the Olympics. While cleaning out Dan’s office last month, Drew lay on
the ground. “No tantrums,” his mother said firmly.
“No tantrums! No tantrums!” Drew screamed.
“Drew’s disability grounds them for life with other people
who have challenges that are insurmountable,” Dan’s mother, Pam Roach, said.
“You can’t surmount autism. You can learn to live with it.”
Roach trains for the Olympics in her gymnastics facility,
a converted day-care center now filled with a symphony of barbell clangs and
grunts. She made the transition from gymnastics into weight lifting in quick
fashion. Guided by a coach, John Thrush, who trained elite prospects in his
garage, Roach, then Melanie Kosoff, won her first national championship in
1997.
She met Dan in September 1998, and they married six months
later. During the courtship, they traveled to Finland for the world
championships. Melanie needed to complete one lift for a bronze medal, but
“bombed out” on the platform, the pressure of meeting expectations heavier
than the weight itself. After she lost, Dan told her that he lost his first
election by 300 votes, or one-half of 1 percent.
On the streets of Finland, they wondered where everything
went wrong. “And it didn’t get better, unfortunately,” Melanie said. “That
was the beginning of the snowball effect.”
The first comeback, in 2003, lasted seven months before
the back pain returned. She describes it as “way past 10,” worse than
childbirth, and she notes she had her three kids naturally, at home.
“The best way to put it is as volatile as you can
imagine,” said Greg Summers, Roach’s
chiropractor. “I see four to five herniated disks a week, and hers is
the worst I have ever seen.”
During long evenings Roach spent icing in the bathtub, she
and Dan talked often about retiring for good. Even when she returned to the
national team, she considered giving up her spot.
Unable to stand up straight, spending days at a time in
bed, she called Summers in desperation.
Other doctors told her she risked serious injury, said
that she could end up in a wheelchair. “Most orthopedic surgeons would
cringe at the fact she was doing anything, let alone weight lifting,”
Summers said.
At the world championships in October 2006, Roach finally
told the team doctor about the herniated disk and three fragments imbedded
in the nerve. The doctor recommended a surgeon in Los Angeles.
Five days after surgery, Roach was lifting weights without
bending her back. Seven months later, she won her seventh national
championship.
She later won a bronze medal at the
Pan American Games and regained her No. 1 ranking among United States
lifters.
“Amazing,” Dan Roach said. “We literally went from the
world championships to the operating table and back in less than a year.”
But when would Melanie Roach enjoy it?
Back in the gym, with a poster from the Finland flameout
and a Beijing T-shirt hanging from the wall, Roach lifted bars bent with
colored plates while the song “Under Pressure” by Queen and
David Bowie blasted through her earphones.
“Weight lifting is the easiest part of my day,” she said.
Thrush can tell immediately how well Roach is balancing
the complexities of her life. He said he knew Roach was struggling with the
pressure at the national championships in March, when she successfully
lifted only two of six attempts. To qualify for Beijing, she must finish
fourth or better in the 53-kilogram weight class at the Olympic trials in
Atlanta on May 17.
“You’ll have an opportunity to be an average, everyday
woman after August,” Thrush said he tells Roach when she seems distracted.
“You need to be selfish now.”
Team Roach marches on through a life that Dan Roach
described as “organized chaos.” Bonnie Kosoff, Melanie’s mother, moved in
recently to take care of the children. Summers and Thrush travel to events.
“You know how they say it takes a village to raise a
child?” Kosoff said. “Well, it takes a village to get someone to the
Olympics, too.”
The changed outlook remains. Had Roach gone to the
Olympics in 2000, she said, she would not have three kids or the business.
Had there been no Drew, she may never have learned what Thrush tried to
teach her all along — the concept of slow and small but steady and
incremental progress.
But the biggest change that Drew inspired was in Roach,
the athlete. She now enjoys the Olympic quest, 14 years after it started.
Summers, the chiropractor, said he first noticed the
difference at an airport recently. Roach had been stopped by security and
told she could not proceed with the fingernail polish in her carry-on. She
stopped, smiled, propped up her feet and applied a fresh coat.
-
Lipscomb Takes Gold at World Cup Snowboard Finals -
(Youtube: Watch Crispin's Gold Medal World Cup Win Here!)
Canadian Halfpipe Veteran Punctuates Comeback
With Surprise Victory
Sunday March 16; Valmalenco,
Italy: It's been quite a month for the Canadian Snowboard
Team. Though its race schedule during that period would make even an air
attendant's travel itinerary look pedestrian by comparison - six events,
five countries, three continents and 20 hours of time change in four weeks -
the team revealed a new-and-improved version of itself in the concluding
races of the 2007-08 season by posting its best run of World Cup results
ever.
"What most impresses me about these results" sans Canadian Team head coach
Jim Miller, "is how broad-based they are. Doesn't matter what discipline.
Doesn't matter the age of the athlete. Doesn't even matter whether they are
coach or rider, service person or physiotherapist. Everyone on this team is
dedicated to one thing: delivering high performance results on demand."
The final World Cup event of the 2008 season, the halfpipe contest
(completed earlier today), clearly underscores Miller's contention that his
young charges are not afraid to compete at the highest levels now. Consider
Crispin Lipscomb's s ride to victory today.
After all, it was only a year ago that Lipscomb was sitting on the
sidelines, healing a broken collarborne and wondering when he'd ever be able
to get back to high-level competition. And when he was finally cleared to
compete again just in time for this last, highly-concentrated month of World
Cup contests, the winner of the 2006 World Cup Finals struggled.
From a promising 10th place ride in his first event back in
Korea, his performances tumbled over the next few weeks until it was amply
apparent to everyone that things couldn't keep going the way they were
going. "It wasn't the comeback I expected," admits Lipscomb. "I was really
fighting myself in the pipe."
Embarrassed and
frustrated by a less-than-stellar showing in
Calgary - a modest 24th -- Lipscomb took advantage of
the new, more flexible program put in place by discipline head coach, Tom
Hutchinson this year and went back home to Whistler to regroup. "It was a
real judgment call for me," he explains. "I could have gone to
Quebec and braved the weather and conditions and hope to turn
things around. Or I could go home --get a little training in; do a little
snowmobiling -- and head for
Italy refreshed and ready to win again. I'm really glad the coaches
and the program gave me enough leeway to choose the latter."
No question. Competing
before a raucous crowd of knowledgeable - and highly appreciative -
Italian spectators, Lipscomb put down the kind of run in the finals that
had his coaches raving for more! "His winning run was a thing of
beauty," said Hutchinson. "It was perfect. He made every move, every
jump, look easy. There didn't seem to be any effort there - he was just
floating from lip-to-lip. And that's what the judges usually want to
see."
Indeed. For the
second time in three seasons, the young Whistler local was awarded the
gold in the final event of the World Cup circuit. And as he says: "It
was exactly the same weather and conditions as two years ago. And I
took full advantage of that fact."
But that doesn't
explain going from 24th to first in two weeks. What
happened? "I just got my feeling back," he says. "I just needed a
little time on my own to fine-tune some things. And you know what - it
feels great to be back!"
Explains Lipscomb of
his victorious ride: "It was just a super clean run. Nothing
complicated or overly fancy. I went front backside air, to front 9, to
backside 5, to front 7 and finished with a cab 7. I just think I put a
lot of style into it today. I felt really strong and confident --
finally. And I knew it from the moment I got in the pipe this
morning."
The
support he got from his teammates, says Lipscomb, played a huge part
in today's victory. "The guys on the team right now, they're riding
really well. And that's totally inspiring. Everyone is pushing
everyone else to put out their best stuff. And that's very cool."
With four in the top fifteen, and three advancing into today's
final, the Canadian squad was also noteworthy for being the top
performer among the nations in attendance.
-
Roach Wins 8th National Championships - Columbus, Ohio, February 29, 2008
– America’s #1 ranked weightlifter, Melanie Roach (Bonney Lake, WA) took one
more critical step toward Beijing, China and the 2008 Olympic Games today as
she secured her 8th US National Champion title at the USA National
Weightlifting Championships held as part of the 2008 Arnold Sports Festival.
In front of a capacity crowd, and as the
final athlete to take the stage, Roach dominated the field of 14 competitors
from around the country winning the snatch event, the clean-and-jerk and the
overall National Championship.
“My first two
lifts in the snatch didn’t go according to plan so that turned up the pressure
on the last lift. But, I learned a long time ago that I’ve got to stay
focused on the lift I’m about to do rather than any I made or missed earlier
in the competition. The huge crowd, and the whole event was great training
for Beijing and to come away with the win knowing that I can still do better
is a great position to be in,” said Roach.
Two missed
lifts in the snatch at 78kilos (171.6 lbs) pushed Roach’s back to the wall to
complete the lift on her final attempt or be eliminated from the competition.
She delivered, then went on to clean and jerk 105kilos, (231 lbs.) over double
her own bodyweight, to the delight of the crowd.
“I could definitely feel the crowd’s
energy today. It’s great to have that support. I know I’m the one who’s got
to lift the weight, but there are so many people doing so many things behind
the scenes to help me be at my best that I just feel like I have this great
team, like I have the best team, and that feeling makes the lifting part just
a bit easier”
In 2000 Roach reigned as one of America’s
standout lifters and was poised to fulfill her lifelong dream at the Olympic
Games in Sydney, Australia. Tragically, weeks before, she suffered what
appeared to be a career ending back injury. Today, eight years later, with
her husband, three children and dedicated team of family, coaches and fans she
inched closer to fulfilling that dream.
Roach’s final step to the Olympics Games
will take place in May, in Atlanta, GA at the US Olympic Weightlifing Trials.
The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games begin August 8th.
-
Hedrick Returns
to Medals Podium - World Cup Silver
Hamar, Norway, January 27, 2008 -
America's Chad Hedrick, Olympic gold, silver and bronze medalist, has
spent some time in the shadows over the last year, conspicuously absent from
his previously familiar position on the medals podium of speedskating's
international World Cup circuit. That all changed yesterday as the big
Texan took the silver medal in the grueling 10,000m event in 13:11.20, just
1.59 seconds behind Norwegian winner Harvard Bokko. An errant cross-over
exchange with Dutchman Bob de Jong late in the race appeared that it may cost
Hedrick a podium appearance but he recovered, rallied back and narrowly missed
the gold medal.
"If not for the crossover with Bob (de Jong) I know I could have won
this race. I'm not sure what happened there but it just goes to show that
anything can happen in a race. You never know. You've just got to skate hard
through the (finish) line and let the officials sort out the rest. I'm
really happy with the silver. We've worked harder than ever before this year
and now it's starting to pay off."
In late summer, Hedrick and the US Speedskating Team transitioned to a new
coach, Belgium's Bart Veldkamp. Born in The Netherlands, Veldkamp is a
multiple Olympic medalist who, like Hedrick, seemed to grow stronger the
longer the race distance. Some questioned the pairing of Hedrick and
Veldkamp early in the season, as Hedrick uncharacteristically failed to win
medals in the first half of the competition year.
"Last summer Bart convinced me to try his training program and we began
to make a lot of technical changes to my skating. It was really taking a
step back in hopes of taking two steps forward. It was particularly hard
earlier in the season. I guess I'm used to winning so when I didn't it was
a struggle to stick with it. But the goal all along was to be in peak shape
at the end of the season, when it matters most. To skate like this today is
a big weight off my shoulders and it confirms that all the hard work we put
in earlier this year is all coming together now. I just raced 10,000 meters
and I feel great. I'm ready to go again!"
Hedrick and the rest of the World Cup circuit will move on to Baselga di
Pine, Italy for a middle distance competition beginning February 2.
-
Lund and Bernotas Win Silver
and Bronze in St. Moritz World CupST. MORITZ,
Switzerland— Zach Lund (Salt Lake City, Utah) and Eric Bernotas (Avondale,
Pa.) won silver and bronze, respectively, at the men’s skeleton World Cup in
St. Moritz, Switzerland today.
“They are both very strong sliders, and they have proven
that they are the ones to beat,” said Martin Rettl, U.S. skeleton driving
coach and 2002 Olympic silver medalist.
Lund captured silver today, despite having fractured his
rib in a crash out of Horseshoe corner during a training run on Wednesday.
“Zach should be very proud of himself,” Rettl said. “He
showed what kind of competitor he is today. He was a little behind in the
start because of his injury, but he still had the fastest time of all in the
second run, and was once again standing on the podium.”
Lund struggled at the start, pushing a time of 5.31
seconds, 20th best of the heat, before driving himself up 17 positions into
third with a first run time of 1:10.53 seconds. Bettering his first heat
effort, Lund pushed a tenth of a second faster in the second heat with a
start time of 5.21 seconds, piloting his sled to the fastest time of the
second run, a 1:10.04. Lund sped to the finish with the highest speed of the
competition, 132.2 km/h, for a combined time of 2:20.57 to claim silver.
Bernotas slid two consistent runs of 1:10.37 and 1:10.30,
second and third fastest of the competition, respectively, for a two-run
total of 2:20.67. Bernotas finished just 0.10 seconds from his teammate for
the bronze medal.
Both Americans medaled at the 2007 World Championships
held in St. Moritz last season, where Bernotas claimed silver and Lund took
bronze.
Kristan Bromley from Great Britain claimed gold today with
a combined time of 2:20.22 after sliding runs of 1:09.89, fastest of the
day, and 1:10.33. Today marked Bromley’s first win since 2004.
U.S. National Champion Caleb Smith (Lake Placid, N.Y.) had
his World Cup season-best finish today, placing eighth. Smith slid runs of
1:10.66 and 1:10.61, both sixth fastest of the competition, for a combined
time of 2:21.27.
“During training he had a time of 1:08.53, which is the
fastest time this year on the track,” Rettl said. “He was a little back in
the push, but his driving was great. He made a great race.”
After today’s victory, Bromley has claimed the overall
World Cup lead with 1197 points. Lund is only 17 points behind with 1180
points, followed by teammate Bernotas in third with 1179.
“Zach and Eric will be fighting for the title this year,”
Rettl said. “It will be a very tight race for the overall Championship this
year.”
Don’t miss the action LIVE and On-Demand on
NBCOlympics.com, courtesy of MediaZone. Check out the races for only $4.99,
and find out more about bobsled, skeleton and luge, the fastest sports on
ice.
For complete results of today’s race, visit
www.bobsleigh.com, the Web site of the Fédération International de Bobsleigh
et de Tobogganning (FIBT).
Results:
1. Kristan Bromley (GBR) 2:20.22 (1:09.89, 1:10.33); 2. Zach Lund (USA)
2:20.57 (1:10.53, 1:10.04); 3. Eric Bernotas (USA) 2:20.67 (1:10.37,
1:10.30);…8. Caleb Smith (USA) 2:21.27 (1:10.66, 1:10.61);
-
Bernotas
Smashes
Track Record on Way to Gold Medal in Lake Placid, N.Y. Men’s Skeleton World
Cup; Lund Takes Bronze
LAKE PLACID, N.Y.— Eric Bernotas (Avondale,
Pa.) demolished the track record by over three-tenths of a second today for the
gold medal in the men’s skeleton World Cup competition at the Olympic Sports
Complex in Lake Placid, N.Y. 2007 World Cup Champion Zach Lund (Salt Lake City,
Utah) joined his teammate on the podium with a bronze medal finish. “The track
is in awesome shape,” Bernotas said. “I felt more g-pressure on the lower part
of the track than I have ever felt, so I figured I had to have been going a
little faster than I’m used to going.”
Despite snowy conditions, Bernotas, ninth off in the first heat, shocked the
competition by smashing the track record set by Matt Antoine in December 2006 by
.19 seconds with a first heat time of 54.55.“I was just glad to put down a solid
run,” Bernotas said. “I knew I still had a second run to do, so I was feeling
good, but I had to look within myself, stay relaxed, and prepare for run number
two.”
Bernotas had almost a four-tenth of a second lead over the field entering the
second run. The 2007 World Championship silver medalist stayed relaxed, and was
able to demolish the track record again with a second run time of 55.43 seconds.
At the end of the competition, Bernotas shaved 0.31 seconds off the track
record.
“Things are coming together,” Bernotas said. “If we as a team keep supporting
one another like we have been, we’ll bring consistency into the second half.”
Lund, who claimed the gold medal last week in Park City, Utah, had a podium
finish again today with a bronze medal performance. Despite pushing the slowest
start time of the heat with a 5.41 second push due to difficult start groove
conditions, Lund drove himself into third position with a time of 55.11 seconds.
“I was first off in the race today, which was a little unlucky with the
condition of the groove,” Lund said.Lund improved his second start with a 5.19
push, finishing with the second-fastest run of the second heat, a 54.67. Lund
claimed the bronze medal with a combined time of 1:49.78, eight-hundredths of a
second from his teammate.
“It wasn’t my best day, but I’m very happy to be where I’m at on the podium,”
Lund said.Canadian Jon Montgomery, who won bronze in Calgary, Alberta on his
home track, took silver in today’s competition with runs of 54.94 and 54.77 for
a combined time of 1:49.71. The North Americans celebrated after the race,
eagerly looking forward to the 2009 World Championships that will be held in
Lake Placid next year.
“The conditions were perfect during my run, and if I’d had a different draw,
maybe my result would have been different,” Bernotas said.“You would have smoked
it anyway,” Montgomery responded. “I’m sure my coach was having heart
palpitations as I was coming out of corner 12. I had a moment of weightlessness,
which leaves a little to be desired. But I feel like I’m getting a solid
foundation on this track before World Championships here next year.”
Caleb Smith (Lake Placid, N.Y.) struggled with the snowy conditions today,
finishing ninth today after a the eighth and 11th fastest runs of the
competition, a 55.34 and 55.22, respectively, for a total time of 1:50.56.
For complete results of today’s race, visit
www.bobsleigh.com,
the Web site of the Fédération International de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganning
(FIBT).
Results:
1. Eric Bernotas (USA) 1:48.98 (54.55, 54.43); 2. Jon Montgomery (CAN)
1:49.71 (54.94, 54.77); 3. Zach Lund (USA) 1:49.78 (55.11, 54.67);…9. Caleb
Smith (USA) 1:50.56 (55.34, 55.22);
-
Lund and
Bernotas Claim Gold and Silver in Men’s Skeleton World Cup Competition in
Park City, Utah
PARK CITY, Utah—The U.S. men’s skeleton team
responded to Katie Uhlaender’s silver medal performance this morning by claiming
the gold and silver medals in today’s competition at the Utah Olympic Park in
Park City, Utah. Defending World Cup Champion Zach Lund (Salt Lake City, Utah)
claimed the gold, with teammate Eric Bernotas (Avondale, Pa.) twenty-five
hundredths of a second behind for the silver medal.
“This really helped my momentum to get back on top,” Lund said. “It feels great
to have this victory on my home track with my friends and family here to support
me.”
Lund rebounded after a disappointing 11th place finish last week by winning the
gold medal on his home track today.
“Last week I wasn’t in the right frame of mind,” Lund said. “I was able to make
adjustments this week, and one thing I’ve learned over the years is how to not
let mistakes keep me from coming back.”
Zach blasted out a first place run of 48.87 in the first heat after pushing a
4.84, just 0.23 seconds ahead of teammate Bernotas. Bernotas pushed an identical
4.84 start to finish the first heat with a time of 49.10 seconds.
A steady snow began to fall during the second heat, causing unpredictable runs
for the sliders. Despite the inconsistent conditions, Lund and Bernotas
maintained their first and second positions to claim the top two spots on the
medal stand.
“Zach, Caleb and I pushed each other all week, and it paid off,” Bernotas said.
“Unfortunately, the snow may have played a role in some of the people’s down
times today, but you’ve got to stay focused, and do what you need to do.”
Bernotas stopped the clock in one minute, 38.41 seconds after a second run time
of 49.56 for the silver medal. Lund slid a second run time of 49.54 for a total
of 1:38.41 to claim the gold medal on his home track.
“Zach showed that he can slide well on this track, and the he is the best,”
Bernotas said. “I’m happy for him.”
Caleb Smith (Lake Placid, N.Y.) finished in 16th place today after runs of 49.39
and 50.34 for a total time of 1:39.73.
“There’s not much you can do when conditions are like this,” Smith said. “Next
week we’ll be in Lake Placid. Bring it baby.”
The U.S. skeleton team will compete in Lake Placid, N.Y. next Friday, Dec. 14th
for the third World Cup stop of the 2007-08 season.
For complete results of today’s race, visit www.bobsleigh.com, the Web site of
the Fédération International de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganning (FIBT).
Results:
1. Zach Lund (USA) 1:38.41 (48.87, 49.54); 2. Eric Bernotas (USA) 1:38.66
(49.10, 49.56); 3. Anthony Sawyer (GBR) 1:38.70 (49.13, 49.57);…16. Caleb Smith
(USA) 1:39.73 (49.39, 50.34);
About the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation
The United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, based in Lake Placid, N.Y.,
is the national governing body for the sports of bobsled and skeleton in the
United States. The USBSF would like to thank its sponsors, suppliers and
contributors for their support: Allianz Life, Columbia Sportswear Company,
Speedo, CW-X, KBC Helmets, ULU Boots, Racing Electronics, Schenker Logistics,
Lumber Liquidators and Whelen Engineering. For more information, please visit
the USBSF Web site at www.usbsf.com.
-
|
SOELDEN, Austria (Oct. 21) - Hefty
Adam Smith (Bend, OR), riding new equipment and with new confidence,
powered his way to third place Saturday in a World Cup parallel giant
slalom on the Rettenbach Glacier. His first podium outdoors was the first
top-3 for the U.S. men in two seasons.
Smith, who received a new Kessler snowboard at midweek, crashed in his
first run of the head-to-head semifinal round. But, he nearly made up his
automatic 1.5-second deficit against Rok Flander of Slovenia, the eventual
winner. Then the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Smith defeated Austrian Benjamin Karl
in the two-run, "small final" for third place.
His first podium in three seasons is also the third top-3 of Smith's
career, but his first in PGS; his other two podiums were on parallel
slalom - both on the indoor course at Landgraaf, Netherlands. He won there
in 2004 and finished third in '05.
Coach: "Awesome to watch..."
"It was awesome to watch Adam ride so well," U.S. Snowboarding Head Coach
Peter Foley said. "He was on a new board and it made a huge difference.
"The conditions were so good. It had snowed a little over the rock-hard
glacial ice, so everyone could get a nice edge. And it stayed perfect the
whole day," Foley added. "It was super clean. It was mostly sunny, but
mostly it was real wintry and that's a nice change, good to feel those
real winter conditions."
Other U.S. men battled in consistency, the coach said. Former Olympic
medalist Chris Klug (Aspen, CO) was the next American, finishing 18th.
"They'd have one good run and then things would go a little south for 'em.
But, the guys had good training over here and that's important." said
Foley.
"It's a tight field..."
"There isn't much of a margin for mistakes," Foley said. "It's a tight
field of riders. And with the qualification system, you just have to be on
it both runs. One good run won't get it done for you in getting to the top
16 to reach finals."
Sunday, no U.S. woman qualified for finals in PGS.
The riders return to the United States and will regroup next month during
their traditional November training camp at Copper Mountain, CO. The
alpine side of the snowboarding World Cup resumes Dec. 8 with another PGS
in Limone Piemonte, Italy.
2007 Snowboarding World Cup
Rettenbach Glacier
Soelden, AUT - Oct. 21, 2007
Men's Giant Slalom (Top 4 make semifinals)
1. Rok Flander, Slovenia
2. Daniel Biveson, Sweden
3. Adam Smith, Bend, OR
4. Benjamin Karl, Austria
-
Other U.S. riders:
18. Chris Klug, Aspen, CO
25. Justin Reiter, Steamboat Springs, CO
26. Tyler Jewell, Sudbury, MA
47. Zachary Kay, Mount Shasta, CA
--
Oct. 22, 2007
Women's PGS (Top 4 make semifinals)
1. Marion Kreiner, Austria
2. Heidi Neururer, Austria
3. Nicolien Sauerbreij, Netherlands
4. Carmen Ranigler, Italy
-
33. Lindsay Lloyd, Centerville, UT
-
DNF: Erica Mueller, Steamboat Springs, CO
For complete results:
www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/610.html?sector=SB&competitorid=57214&raceid=7344 |
- #1 Ranked US Weightlifter Roach Joins
Q Sports Marketing
- Chicago, IL - October 2, 2007 - Melanie Roach, 2007 Pan Am Games
Bronze Medalist and the current #1 ranked weightlifter in the US
will now be represented by
agent Patrick Quinn.
"A mother of three
small children, a successful business owner, the wife of a state legislator,
a Sunday school teacher AND a champion athlete ...Melanie really does
personify a total marketing packaging," said Quinn. As a parent
myself, I know there is a huge number of hyper-busy young parents out there
who feel they hardly have time to breath, let alone chase their personal
dreams. Melanie is a huge inspiration to countless people absorbed in
hectic day to day life that wears on us all. We're lucky to have her
and looking forward to working with her."
##
-
Hedrick Still Most
Dominant Inline Skater...EVER - September 6, 2007 -
Who's The Greatest ever?
You can decide for yourself after you check out the world roller speed skating
all-time medal tally compliments of Skate Podium. You don't need to
speak Dutch to understand that Hedricks 58 career medals eclipse all other
skaters in history, and appear untouchable in the future.
Read it here.
- Olympic Gold Medalist
Hedrick Joins Q Sports Marketing
- Chicago, IL - August 30, 2007
Olympic gold, silver and
bronze medalist Chad Hedrick has signed with
Q Sports Marketing and will
now be represented by agent Patrick Quinn.
"Combining Chad's past
success on inline skates with his Olympic medals on the ice I'm confident in
saying he's already one of the greatest skaters in history, and there's much
more to come," said Quinn. "We have a great history of representing Olympic
champions, esepcially in skating, so we're particularly excited to have Chad
on board. He's one of the most talented athletes, and dynamic personalities
in Olympic sports. He's a great addition."
Hedrick is in final stages
of his preparation for the 2007-2008 World Cup competition season which will
begin in October. He's is currently training in Salt Lake City, UT.
"I was impressed with
how Q Sports handled Derek (Parra) after he won his medals (2002) and Joey
(Cheek) coming out of 2006 so I'm excited to have them in my corner now,"
Hedrick said. "I've been feeling great on the ice lately and I'm anxious to
get the season under way. Having an experienced agent on my team makes it
that much easier for me to stay focused on bringing my best to the ice every
chance I get."
##
- Professional Bass
Fishing at Q Sports Marketing - Chicago, IL --- Professional angler
Gary Colasessano (Indianapolis, IN) is the latest athlete to come on board at
Q Sports Marketing and in so doing brings with him the enormous and exciting
market of professional sport fishing. Fishing is a 108 billion dollar
industry whose demographics align with NASCAR and whose popularity exceeds
that of golf and tennis combined. On the sports side of fishing, bass
fishing, Gary's specialty, is now one of few sporting events worldwide to
reach the 1 Million dollar prize purse for a single event winner!
Read all about Gary and professional bass fishing
through his webpage.
-
JetBlue Airways U.S. National Luge Start Championships Set for Friday,
Aug. 17 LAKE PLACID, N.Y.
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- Brian Martin (Palo Alto, Calif.) will look to defend
a pair of luge start titles, while Julia Clukey (Augusta, Maine) has her
sights set on a third straight women's singles crown during Friday night's,
Aug. 17, JetBlue Airways U.S. National Luge Start Championships. The annual
race, which begins at 7 p.m., will be held on the indoor, refrigerated start
ramps at USA Luge's headquarters in Lake Placid, N.Y.
Martin won last
summer's men's singles title by the slimmest of margins... a single thousandth
of a second over teammate Tony Benshoof (White Bear Lake, Minn.), who finished
second. In the doubles event, he and his teammate, Mark Grimmette (Muskegon,
Mich.), won their first title together since 2003.
Clukey and her teammate, Ashley Walden (Westborough, Mass.), are expected
to be the top two contending women's singles sleds. While Clukey has come away
with consecutive victories over the past two years, and is the track record
holder, Walden is a seven-time winner of this event. Erin Hamlin (Remsen,
N.Y.), a 2006 Olympian, could also find herself near or on the medal podium.
- Good Guy
Is Forgotten in Bad Week for Sports - NY Times
July 31, 2007
By HARVEY ARATON
In a little-noticed variation on a widely
examined theme, a well-known sports figure stalked the authorities last week
as opposed to the other way around. This time, a government played defense
while the voice of the people was heard through the mouth of the athlete.
More than 42,000 signatures were delivered to
the Chinese Embassy in Washington on behalf of an organization called the Save
Darfur Coalition. He went to the front door. Put his finger to the bell.
“Yes?” a voice from the other side said.
“My name is Joey Cheek,” he said. “I am on the
U.S. Olympic team. And I am here to deliver petitions that we have collected
over the last week imploring China to continue to act strongly to protect the
civilians in Darfur.”
That was last Thursday, when
Michael Vick was in a Virginia courtroom, beginning his most vital
scramble, trying to elude stomach-churning charges brought by federal
prosecutors of sponsoring a dogfighting operation that a co-defendant said
yesterday was mostly financed by Vick.
Cheek, the American speed skater who won the
gold medal in the 500 meters at the 2006 Winter Games in Turin, Italy, was
holding his ground that day with a message — stop the slaughter in Sudan — to
the host country of next summer’s Olympics in Beijing.
“Only you can come in,” the embassy gatekeeper
told Cheek, instructing the coalition members with him, along with a Darfuri
refugee named Daoud Hari, to retreat.
Clutching thick binders with signatures
collected around the United States, Cheek waited as 5 minutes became 10, 10
became 20, 20 became 30. Just leave them, one of his colleagues suggested.
Not yet, Cheek said, and after more than a
half-hour, the front door opened. Into the lobby, to a brief audience with
embassy officials, he went to make his drop and propose leading a group of
American and Chinese athletes on a trip to Darfur, the violence-racked region
of
Sudan, a country with which China wields considerable economic clout.
“They didn’t dismiss it,” Cheek said in a
telephone interview. “They seemed interested.”
Granted, the timing of his embassy mission
wasn’t good, if attention was the desired goal — not in a week when
professional sport on so many levels was reeking of malfeasance, from one side
of the Atlantic to the other. But shame on us if we can’t take a few moments
to applaud Cheek’s patience, conviction and cause.
Today, in this space, the now hounded
quarterback Vick, the home run antihero
Barry Bonds, the suspected rogue N.B.A. ref, the chemically aided cyclists
and even poor, misunderstood
Michael Strahan must wait while Cheek explains why mixing politics and
sport — specifically the international version — does not violate any sacred,
time-honored code.
“The Chinese say, ‘Don’t politicize the
Olympics,’ but that’s ridiculous,” Cheek said. “The only reason they wanted it
was political, to prove they are a great power on the world stage.”
For the record, he does not support calls to
boycott
Beijing, only using the Games as leverage to move the Chinese government on
Darfur. If his two Olympic experiences have taught him anything, it is that
the Games — rampant commercialism and scandals notwithstanding — are as good a
stage as any “to fight for an ideal that you believe in.”
More than his medals, Cheek is no doubt
remembered for donating his 2006 Olympic prize money to a sport and
humanitarian organization championed by Johann Olav Koss, the Norwegian
speed-skating legend. For the standard post-Games period, Cheek was the face
on the Wheaties box, America’s feel-good Olympian. He became a regular on the
corporate speaking circuit, admittedly cashing in to fund a Princeton
education he deferred for one year.
Retired from skating, Cheek resumed giving
back, formed his own charitable campaign — called it “Where Will We Be?” — to
galvanize Olympians and raise money to fund worthy causes.
He began by stepping onto the Darfur soapbox,
but the more he learned about displacement and genocide, the more he couldn’t
get off it. He spoke at a Washington rally with
Barack Obama and Hollywood activists, targeting, in part, Bush
Administration policy. He testified before Congress. He traveled to China,
Egypt and the troubled area in Chad near its border with Sudan.
He would like to work with Ira Newble, the
journeyman basketball player who last spring collected signatures from his
Cleveland Cavaliers teammates on a letter to China protesting Darfur —
absent, most notably, was the young superstar,
LeBron James.
“Most Olympians are nowhere near that level of
fame,” Cheek said. “But if it’s a choice between standing up for something I
believe in or not because I’m worried about celebrity or money, it’s a
no-brainer.”
If only that were the rule, not the exception,
a breath of fresh air in the dog days of an uncommonly depressing sports
summer.
-
Cheek to Testify Before Congress -
Thursday, June 7, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. EST, Washington, D.C. - 2006
Olympic gold medalist and Darfur activist Joey Cheek will testify at a
Congressional hearing on the human rights situation in the Darfur region of
Sudan and how the upcoming 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, may be an
opportunity to spur greater international action.
The entire hearing can be watched online at: (http://nationalsecurity.oversight.house.gov).
Cheek will discuss his Olympic experiences, his travels to the region and
his ongoing efforts to end the crisis in Darfur. To follow are Joey
Cheek's opening remarks:
"It is my sincere privilege to address this august committee. I
would
like to thank the Chairman, Congressman Tierney, all of the members
and the congressional staff for extending the invitation to speak on
my experiences as an Olympic athlete and a concerned citizen who
continues to fight for the protection of the millions of innocent
civilians residing in Darfur, Sudan.
I would like to thank the committee for calling this hearing and for
drawing attention to the crisis in Darfur as well as exploring options
that we Olympians have for positively motivating the international
community to swiftly and effectively improve the lives of the millions
that are suffering.
Throughout my life I have been incredibly blessed. After years of
hard work, training, exhaustive preparations, and the sacrifice of my
family, friends, and community, I have had the privilege to compete in
two Olympic Games representing the United States as Speedskater. From
those two competitions I brought home three medals, a bronze medal in
the 2002 Olympic Games and gold and silver medals in the 2006 Olympic
Games in Turin, Italy.
Winning Olympic medals is a great personal thrill, but I brought home
lessons and experiences from those two games that I participated in
that are worth much more than mere athletic awards. These lessons are
best illustrated by a story that I feel encapsulates the true spirit
of Olympic competition and goes strait to the heart of the crisis in
Darfur that we are addressing here today.
Within the Olympic Village, an area only a handful of people
throughout the world are ever permitted to see, the greatest athletes
on Earth live and complete their final preparations for the most
important competition of their lives. Success means immortality in
the annuls of Olympic history and falling short of the goal of
athletic perfection means that although your name may not be mentioned
alongside the greats, you are still part of a rarefied club, the
holder of a shared experience of excellence. The media loves to tout
this aspect of the games: the thrill of victory, that agony of defeat.
However seeing only the competitive part alone shows a tiny fraction
of the true beauty of the Olympic Games.
I believe that the true Olympic Spirit can be demonstrated by this
example: Inside the Village all of the athletes eat together. I know
that may seem trivial, but as you walk inside the dining hall your
gaze drifts up to the rafters where all of the flags of the competing
nations hang then drifts back down to the long tables where all of the
athletes proudly wear the colors of their nations draped on their
backs the true glory of this otherwise ordinary act is played out.
Athletes from the Americas sit and break bread next to athletes from
Africa. The athletes from the many nations of Europe, whose
grandfathers lives were devastated by a war that encompassed the
world, now laugh and embrace each other like brothers inside this
shared space. It was in this enclave that I realized that I may have
more in common with an athlete born in communist China, through our
shared love of our sport and experience on the field of play, than I
have with some of my own native born countrymen. This is the true
magnificence of the Olympic Games. We can fight like hell on the
athletic field and return to live in peace.
It was with this spirit in mind that I made a decision that has
altered the course of my life. After winning a gold and silver medal
in the 2006 Olympic Games I donated all of the money I received as a
medal bonus, $40,000, to an organization to aid refugees from the
region of Darfur. I have been asked many times why I choose that
conflict at that time and my answer is simple. I believed that no
where else on earth was there a crisis affecting so many people that
had such an inverse level of international attention and power focused
on bringing it to an end. Although the level of attention focused on
this conflict has improved over the last sixteen months or so since I
made this announcement, there are still thousands of people being
killed or raped and millions more who have been driven from their
homes.
I have spent the last year as an unofficial ambassador of sorts,
traveling the country educating young people on the crisis and what
they can do to help end it, and traveling the world speaking with
leaders in other countries imploring them to do more. Just a few
months ago I traveled to Chad, where I visited refugee camps populated
by tens of thousands of Darfuri citizens and heard firsthand of the
tales of systemic murder, rape, villages being razed to the ground,
and families being forced to flee for their lives. The images from
those camps continue to haunt me. I am filled with rage when I think
of the level of depravity to which some people can sink. Complacency
in the face of such evil is indeed very hard to justify. It is, in
fact, the opposite of what the Olympics were created to celebrate,
which is why this topic is so relevant here today.
As the glow of games in Turin fade the light of a new games begins to
shine. China, the most populated (???) nation on earth will be
hosting the grandest sporting event on earth, the 2008 summer
Olympics. China, with its economy growing faster than almost any
other nation, looks at these games as their coronation on the worlds
stage, proving that they are indeed a force that will shape history in
this century. By hosting an Olympic Games, a nation becomes the torch
bearer for the Olympic ideals, as well as the host of a sporting
event. In this crisis China plays an especially important role
because it is the top economic partner of Sudan. China purchases two
thirds of Sudan's oil exports, China has invested hundreds of millions
of dollars in Sudan's economy and China sits on the UN Security
council wielding veto power over any international effort to protect
innocents in darfur from these murderous elements. By hosting an
event that professes peace over conflict, China has laid claim to a
higher moral ground. It is now up to them to fulfill that obligation.
China is not alone however, as the sole bearer of the Olympic ideal
that all citizens are entitled to the rights of a safe and protected
life. Every nation completing in these games has an obligation to
fight the injustice of mass atrocities. That is why I have formed a
new organization, an international coalition of athletes, titled
"Where Will We B?". I seek over the next year to bring in athletes
not just from the United States, but every country in the world
competing in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing to stand up and say that we
believe that the Olympic games should be more than just a sporting
competition. We believe that no matter what nation in which you were
born you deserve the same chance to fulfill their dreams as the great
athletes competing at the Olympics. We believe that China, as host
nation and a nation with extraordinary leverage, should take a
leadership role in ending the atrocities for the people of Darfur.
And we believe, that as athletes, we are leaders and role models in
our community, and we will do all that we can to make all people aware
of this crisis and that it can be stopped.
Thank you again to all the members of this committee and thank you for
giving me the opportunity to speak about what makes my Olympic
experience truly meaningful. Thank your for hosting a hearing on this
critical issue, which could ultimately mean the difference of life and
death for millions of people. I know that the eyes of the world will
be on Beijing on 8-8-08, but I implore all of us to wonder where the
citizens of Darfur will be at that time. Thank You."
-
ADIDAS AND RIGHT TO PLAY KICK OFF RED
BALL MOVEMENT
Using The
Power of Sport and Play to Create a Healthier and Safer World
PORTLAND, Ore.,
May 31 PRNewswire —
International
humanitarian organization, Right To Play a
nd adidas have joined forces to bring the positive impact of
sport and play to children in disadvantaged communities around the world. The
centerpiece of the program is a limited edition mini red ball that goes on sale
today at adidas stores worldwide and on adidas.com.
The mini ball is a world cup-style redesign of Right to Play’s
longstanding symbol and will retail for 10 dollars in the US. As a primary
driver for the awareness initiative, adidas retail employees will act as Right
to Play ambassadors and the stores will be transformed to showcase the work that
Right to Play is doing in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. All proceeds from
the sale of the mini ball will go to support Right to Play’s projects around the
world.
“In the communities where we work, Right to Play’s red ball is
recognized as a symbol of hope, health and happiness,” said Olympic legend and
Right To Play President and CEO Johann Koss. “By buying this special mini ball,
children in this country can give the gift of laughter, hope and health to
children in need around the world.”
In conjunction with the mini ball initiative, the Adi Dassler
Fund will provide over 100,000 full size red balls for use in the more than 20
countries where Right to Play has programs. The red ball embodies Right to
Play’s values – the best values of sport including cooperation, respect,
inclusion, integrity and fair play. Written on the red ball are the words “Look
after yourself, look after one another.” This is the philosophy that guides
Right to Play’s work. Through its programs, the organization strives to empower
individuals to look after themselves and look after their communities.
Additionally, legendary soccer phenom, Zinedine Zidane, who
retired from international competition last year, is now devoting much of his
time to working with children and will partner with the Adi Dassler Fund to be a
key driver of the Right to Play initiative. Over the course of the year, Zidane
will travel to one of the countries participating in Right to Play programs and
lending his voice to the movement.
“I know firsthand the positive impact sport can have on your
life and the skills and values sport can teach like leadership, team work,
confidence and perseverance,” explained Zidane. “Together with Right To Play and
the Adi Dassler Fund, I hope to have the opportunity to share my love of sports
with children around the world and to help them grow and learn through the power
of sport and play.”
Later in July, adidas and Right to Play will expand the
initiative with Major League Soccer bringing the program to life in-stadium and
reaching MLS athletes and fans nationwide.
“Sport for Development is still a relatively new area in terms
of global recognition, but with adidas and Zidane on board we will encourage
people everywhere to join this important movement,” explained Koss.
Right To Play
Right To Play uses specially-designed sport and play programmes
to improve health, build life skills, and foster peace for children and
communities affected by war, poverty, disease. Working in both the humanitarian
and development contexts, Right To Play has projects in more than 20 countries
in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Right To Play is the only global-scale implementer of Sport for
Development and Peace programmes and takes an active role in driving research
and policy development in this area.
Right To Play was founded by four-time Olympic gold medalist
Johann Olav Koss.
Adi
Dassler Fund
The Adi Dassler Fund was formed to give structure and focus in
realizing the adidas brand vision to make the world a better place through our
passion for sport. It is a non-profit organization separate from the adidas
brand, but receives aid in the form of financial and product contributions,
employee volunteerism, sponsored-athlete support and marketing assistance. The
Adi Dassler Fund is a tool that helps employees to channel their goodwill.
-
Joey Cheek Update - May 2007
-
Olympic champion, humanitarian
and Darfur activist Joey Cheek will be officially recognized as the US Olympic
Committee's 2006 Sportsman of the Year later this week in
Washington, DC. Cheek will join the prestigious company of past winners
including Lance Armstrong, Pete Sampras, Carl Lewis and Eric Heiden. In
addition, Cheek was also a finalist for the
Amateur Athletic
Association's Athlete of the Year,
Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year
as well as the inaugural
recipient of the
Heisman Humanitarian Award.
Joey Cheek has continued to enjoy his time in the
spotlight with gold, silver and bronze medals opening plenty of doors. Last week
he debuted on MTV Networks 'mtvU Campus Invastion Tour' as a guest on-air
personality interviewing bands the likes of The Shins, Shiny Toy Guns and
Dashboard Confessional at tour stops in Austin, Atlanta and Philadelphia. The
current edition of
GQ Magazine
features a well dressed Cheek showing readers
how to look like an Olympic Champion without having to spend a lot of gold. Joey
will also be appearing on the Today Show tomorrow morning (May
4) as well as returning to Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People
gala in NY City next week where he was honored for the first time last year.
Cheek has continued his work as a spokesperson
for
The Save Darfur Coalition and
Right To Play, while developing his own Darfur activist group
Where Will We Be? He maintains an active calendar of speaking
engagements and public appearances sharing not only his inspirational story of
Olympic medal winning success, but what he considers to be his most meaningful
role of challenging others to give back through their own successes while
embracing the responsibilities of becoming a "global citizen."
Recent appearances have included stops in Orlando - Disney World, Atlanta -
Coca Cola, back home in Greensboro, NC - UNC and frequent appearances throughout
the Washington, DC area where he now resides.
-
At age 30, Eric Bernotas had never heard of
the little-known sport of skeleton. Now, five years later, he is Olympic
material.
By Will Hobson
For The Inquirer
The existence of fate, or destiny, is
unprovable, but those looking for evidence have a reason to believe in Eric
Bernotas.
It's hard to hear the 1989 Malvern Prep
graduate explain how he, a stonemason at age 30 who had never even heard of
the sport of skeleton, is at age 35 the four-time defending national champion
and an Olympic medal contender without thinking that perhaps there is a little
more at work here than just dumb luck.
The little-known sport of skeleton is similar
to the bobsled or luge, with racers gaining a running head start before
plunging down a tunnel of ice.
Skeleton racers fly head-first down the same
tracks as the other sports, hitting speeds up to 80 m.p.h. as they negotiate
the 15 to 20 turns on a small slab of fiberglass before crossing the finish
line.
Potential is a central theme when talking with
Bernotas. It was an innate potential that he always felt growing up in Malvern
that fueled him, once he graduated from West Virginia University in 1994, to
train for... well, he wasn't quite sure what.
"I was preparing for the opportunity," said
Bernotas. "I wanted an opportunity to play sports at a high level, so I
trained. If it didn't work out, well, that was fine. I was improving my life
in the meantime."
The opportunity to tap this potential presented
itself when, on a road trip to Vermont in January 2002, Bernotas and his
girlfriend got lost and ended up in, of all places, Lake Placid, N.Y. It was
there that Bernotas met his destiny.
"The first time I went off the top of the track
I didn't know if I wanted to do it again," said Bernotas, who had signed up
for a spot in a training camp after meeting skeleton officials in Lake Placid.
"I figured that I should stick it out, and soon I started believing that I
could be pretty good."
Emboldened by early success, Bernotas quit his
job as a stonemason, and started training full-time. Skeleton, though far more
popular in Europe - where Bernotas is currently competing - than in the U.S.
is not a sport that fills your bank account. The limited sponsorships cover
only some of the many costs of racing.
"This is enough money for me to get by and pay
my bills, and do what I need to do to continue pursuing my goals," said
Bernotas, adding, "I'm doing it for the love of the sport."
His breakthrough performance came at the 2004
U.S. national championships in Lake Placid. Bernotas held a slight lead over
Chris Soule, a 2002 Olympian, heading in to their final runs. Soule set a new
track record (he had owned the previous record as well) with his 54.97-second
run.
Soule's record lasted barely 10 minutes.
Bernotas slid past the finish line in 54.79 seconds, setting a new record and
clinching the championship.
"It really hit home to me after that race that
he was good enough to not only to compete, but to beat these guys," said Al
Bernotas of Avondale, Eric's father. "I fell in love with it [skeleton] after
that," said Al.
Bernotas entered the 2006 Winter Olympics in
Torino as the three-time defending U.S. champion, ranked third
internationally. He left without a medal, placing sixth, but with something
much more important: his health.
NBC, which was broadcasting the Olympics,
arranged for a sledding race between the U.S. skeleton and luge teams.
Bernotas landed awkwardly off a jump, suffering a slight stress fracture in
his neck. Teammate Kevin Ellis came hurtling down the same hill moments after
Bernotas, and had an even worse landing, breaking a vertebra in his back.
"It turns out that being in the cold and the
snow probably saved him from being paralyzed, because it kept the swelling
down," said Bernotas.
Ellis has not raced since, and is still
recovering. Bernotas just completed another successful racing season, winning
his fourth straight U.S. championship, and earning a silver medal at the World
Championships in St. Moritz, Switzerland. His eyes are on Vancouver, the site
of the 2010 Olympics.
"I think the whole journey has been me just
following where I am supposed to be," said Bernotas when asked what role he
thought fate may have played in his whirlwind career. "I'm following a
passion, a dream. I didn't follow it a normal way, but in this atmosphere I
feel like I thrive, not just as an athlete, but as a human being."
More on Bernotas
For more information on Eric Bernotas, visit
his Web site at http://slidingsport.com.
For his race results, and for other information
on skeleton, visit http://fibt.com.
-
ALTENBERG,
Germany --- USA Luge’s Tony Benshoof (White Bear Lake, Minn.) slid to a bronze
medal, while Italy’s Armin Zoeggeler raced into the record books during
Sunday’s, Jan. 21, single-run men’s singles luge World Cup race held in
Altenberg, Germany. Officials were forced to stop the race halfway through the
second heat because of high winds.
Benshoof was the race’s first slider and he said that from the beginning, the
wind was blowing pretty hard. “I could really feel it up top. This track is
hard enough to get down and with the wind blowing in places like curve-nine,
kreisel and 14, it makes it even more difficult,” remarked Benshoof, who held
on for a single-heat time of 55.042 seconds. “The wind was pushing me around
pretty good, but all in all, I was pretty happy with my run. I had one big
mistake and that was in curve-15, where I had a big skid and I lost a tenth or
two, but I think I was able to put down a pretty solid run.”
The medal is Benshoof’s first this season and he says it will give him
momentum heading into the 39th World Luge Championships in two weeks, Feb.
2-4, in Igls, Austria. “There’s no doubt, winning a medal before Worlds should
help me feel a little more relaxed,” said the 31-year-old. “The sled’s also
been running really well over the last couple of races, so I’m feeling a
little more confident.”
Zoeggeler notched his 34th-career series victory and surpassed both German
Georg Hackl and Austrian Markus Prock for the most-career series wins. The
32-year-old had sat on 33-career World Cup wins for two weeks before he posted
a one-run time of 54.683.
The victory also allowed the five-time overall World Cup champion to extend
his overall series lead over Germany’s David Moeller, who emerged as Sunday’s
silver medalist in 54.867.
Zoeggeler has 615 points, after seven races, while Moeller sits in second
place with 560. Switzerland’s Stefan Hoehener holds down the third place spot
with 368 points, while Benshoof is ranked ninth with 258 points.
-
Bernotas Claims Silver in
Men’s Skeleton World Championships
St. Moritz,
Switzerland— Eric Bernotas (Avondale, Pa.) won the silver
medal after the final heats of the men’s skeleton World Championships in St.
Moritz, Switzerland. Current World Cup leader Zach Lund (Salt Lake
City, Utah) finished just 0.13 behind his teammate, taking the bronze. The
track record was broken three times during the final two heats of the race
today.
“This whole season has been
building, and I’m feeling more and more confident as I carry momentum into
each race,” Bernotas said. “The silver today was just another boost. I did
what I had to do.”
For Lund, this race was
about more than a title, but an opportunity to prove himself. Lund was
informed of the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s ruling to suspend him for
one year for the banned substance finasteride, a masking agent found in his
hair-restoration medication, as he was walking to the Opening Ceremonies of
the 2006 Olympics in Torino, Italy. Lund was the World Cup leader before
his suspension.
“It feels great to have
placed third today,” Lund said. “I feel no different than I did last year,
when I was first overall. I could have medalled at the Olympics in Torino,
so it’s nice to come out this year and prove that this is for real, and it
wasn’t just a fluke.”
Staehli’s streak of
first-place runs ended with the third fastest time in the third heat of
1:08.91. Taking advantage of his opportunity to surpass Staehli, Bernotas
smashed the track record with a 1:08.79.
Moments later, Austria’s
Markus Penz was eager to climb from sixth position, breaking Bernotas’
record by only two one-hundredths of a second with a time of 1:08.76, moving
him into fourth. Lund had the fourth best time in the third heat with a
1:09.02.
The fourth and final heat
of the race was equally as exciting. Staehli was eager to reclaim the World
title he’d won thirteen years ago, obliterating the track record set just
minutes earlier by both Bernotas and Penz with a time of 1:08.20,
solidifying his victory.
Bernotas had a push time of
5.25 and a final run of 1:09.28 after his sled popped out of the start
grooves during his push.
“I have been around these
sports for ten years now and I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone keep their
composure as well as Eric did on his fourth heat,” U.S. skeleton assistant
coach Greg Sand said. “Eric blew the groove on his forth heat, and fought
to keep his sled straight. You could see the determination in his eyes, and
he had a beautiful trip the rest of the way down. Unbelievable.”
Bernotas still managed to
have the sixth best time of the heat, claiming the silver with a combined
time of 4:37.84.
“Staehli was a half second
ahead of me, and I knew that I needed to just go for it,” Bernotas said.
“The fans here are awesome, and I was ready to go, but then I popped the
groove in the second run. I was fortunate to have maintained my standing.”
Lund finished with a
combined time of 4:37.97 after a run of 1:09.02, identical to his third
heat, to take the bronze.
“My big goal for this year
has been the overall World Cup title, and the World Cup race in Torino,”
Lund said. “This race honestly wasn’t my main focus, but I am so happy
about the result.”
Penz finished in fourth
with a total time of 4:38.16 and a fourth heat run of 1:08.77. Russia’s
Alexander Tretiakov had the third fastest time of the heat with a 1:08.86
after tying his push record of 4.82 that he set in the race yesterday,
placing him in fifth.
Caleb Smith (Lake
Placid, N.Y.) placed twelfth, just two-tenths of a second from a top ten
finish, with a combined time of 4:40.63 after runs of 1:10.25 and 1:09.31
today.
Placing twentieth was
Chris Hedquist (Salt Lake City, Utah) with runs of 1:10.15 and 1:09.87
for a total of 4:41.46.
Between the men and women,
the U.S. claimed four of the six medals in the skeleton World
Championships. The other two medals, a gold and silver, went to
Switzerland’s home track competitors, Staehli and Maya Pederson,
respectively.
The World Championship race in St. Moritz
will be broadcast on SPEED Channel this Sunday, Jan. 28 from 12-2 p.m.
Women’s and men’s skeleton races will be televised from 12-1 p.m, while the
two-man bobsled competition will air from 1-2 p.m. All times listed are in
Eastern Standard Time.
For complete results of the
race, please visit www.bobsleigh.com, the Web
site of the Fédération International de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganning (FIBT).
Results:
1. Gregor Staehli (SUI) 4:36.26 (1.09.59,
1:09.56, 1:08.91, 1:08.20); 2. Eric Bernotas (USA) 4:37.97 (1:09.75,
1:10.02, 1:08.79, 1:09.28); 3. Zach Lund (USA) 4:37.97 (1:09.94, 1:09.99,
1:09.02, 1:09.02); 4. Markus Penz (AUT) 4:38.16 (1:10.35, 1:10.28, 1:08.76,
1:08.77); 5. Alexander Tretiakov (RUS) 4:39.38 (1:10.14, 1:10.60, 1:09.78,
1:08.86); 6. Martins Dukers (LAT) 4:39.61 (1:10.61, 1:09.79, 1:09.56,
1:09.65);…12. Caleb Smith (USA) 4:40.63 (1:10.26, 1:10.81, 1:10.25,
1:09.31);…20. Chris Hedquist (USA) 4:41.46 (1:10.67, 1:10.77, 1:10.15,
1:09.87);
About the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation
The United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, based in Lake Placid,
N.Y., is the national governing body for the sports of bobsled and skeleton
in the United States. The USBSF would like to thank its sponsors, suppliers
and contributors for their support: Allianz Life, Columbia Sportswear
Company, CW-X, KBC Helmets, Schenker Logistics, Speedo and Whelen
Engineering. For more information, please visit the USBSF Web site at
www.usbsf.com.
###
Bernotas sets Nagano track record
in win
By Amanda Bird // U.S. Skeleton // January 13, 2007
Nagano, Japan—Eric Bernotas (Avondale, Pa.) broke the track
record during his first run of the World Cup men’s skeleton race in Nagano,
Japan to claim his third-career World Cup victory today. In second was
teammate Zach Lund (Salt Lake City, Utah), who finished only 0.32 behind
Bernotas to win his third medal this season.
“The weather played a small factor in the races, as there
were intermittent snow showers,” U.S. skeleton team assistant coach Greg Sands
said. “It lightened up just enough a few sleds before Zach and Eric and they
both put two solid heats together despite the weather.”
In his first run, Bernotas crossed the finish line with a
time of 54.74, breaking the Nagano track record. Only 0.07 behind was Adam
Pengilly from Great Britain with a time of 54.81. Lund finished his first run
in third with a time of 54.89 seconds. Two-tenths of a second separated the
top four competitors, leading to a tight race for the podium in the second
heat.
U.S. competitors Chris Hedquist (Salt Lake City, Utah) and
Caleb Smith (Lake Placid, N.Y.) had first run times of 55.34 and 55.53
respectively, placing them in ninth and 11th after the first heat.
“There was heavier snow fall for about ten minutes during
the race,” Sands said. “Caleb and Chris took their runs during that time, so
they were affected by the snow.”
Japanese slider Masaru Inada slid the fastest run of the
second heat with a 55.44, moving him up seven places in the standings from his
first heat position of tenth into third. Inada’s improved second heat wasn’t
enough to catch the Americans Lund and Bernotas. Lund finished with a
combined time of 1:50.96 to claim the silver, while Bernotas finished with a
total 1:50.64 to take the gold medal.
Hedquist maintained his ninth position, finishing with a
combined time of 1:51.65 (55.34, 56.31). Struggling with the snow in his
second heat, Smith finished in thirteenth position with a total time of
1:52.09 (55.52, 56.57).
“Our goal was to come to Nagano and have a great performance
so that we could relax a bit next week in Igls,” said Sands. “Once again, it
was a strong showing for team USA.”
After today’s results, Bernotas has moved into second
overall World Cup standings, while Lund continues to lead.
The team will travel to Igls, Austria tomorrow for the next
stop on the World Cup tour.
For complete results of today’s race, please visit
www.bobsleigh.com, the Web site of the
Fédération International de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganning (FIBT).
Results:
1. Eric Bernotas (USA) 1:50.64 (54.74, 55.90); 2. Zach Lund
(USA) 1:50.96 (54.89, 56.07); 3. Masaru Inada (JPN) 1:51.04 (55.44, 55.60); 4.
Anthony Sawyer (GBR) 1:51.10 (54.94, 56.16); 5. Adam Pengilly (GBR) 1:51.24
(54.81, 56.43); 6. Kazuhiro Koshi (JPN) 1:51.26 (54.99, 56.27);…9. Chris
Hedquist (USA) 1:51.65 (55.34, 56.31);…13. Caleb Smith (USA) 1:52.09 (55.52,
56.57);
Uhlaender
and Bernotas win U.S. Skeleton National Championships
1-4-2007
PARK CITY, Utah- Current World Cup leader Katie
Uhlaender (Breckenridge, Colo.) and World Cup slider Eric Bernotas (Avondale,
Pa.) each won their fourth U.S. Skeleton National Championship title this
morning at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City, Utah. Snowing consistently
throughout the day, six inches covered the ground causing slow start times in
the first heat.
Uhlaender and 2005 World Cup Champion
Noelle Pikus-Pace (Orem, Utah) were tied in the first heat with a time
of 54.02, making the second run a race for the title. Pikus-Pace slid a second
run of 52.78, for a total of 1:46.80. Uhlaender finished her second run with a
52.43, giving her a combined time of 1:46.45, winning the title by 0.35 seconds
over a 16 competitor women's field.
In third was Rebecca Sorensen
(Fort Collins, Colo.) with a 1:48.04 (54.88, 53.16), with World Cup slider
Courtney Yamada (Boise, Idaho) in fourth with a 1:48.21 (55.19,
53.02).
On the men's side,
Bernotas won the competition with a combined time of 1:42.80 (51.71,
51.09), easily finishing in first place with a 0.39 second lead over the 17
competitors in the men's field. Despite the snowy conditions, Bernotas was able
to find a clear line down the track to claim the title.
"First run I knew I had to go with it, be smart,
and take a chance. It worked out for me, " Bernotas said. "I had great vision
on the second run, and I was able to see where I needed to go."
Finishing in second with a total of 1:43.19
(52.19, 51.00) was current World Cup leader Zach Lund (Salt
Lake City, Utah), who won the gold medal in the Park City World Cup in
December. America's Cup slider Matt Antoine (Prairie du Chien,
Wis.) won a bronze medal with times of 51.08 and 51.78 for a combined time of
1:43.58.
John Daly (Smithtown, N.Y.) had
two fourth-place runs of 52.78 and 51.78 for a total of 1:44.55, earning him a
fourth place finish in the competition. In fifth was Adam Donahoo
(Sandy, Utah) with a 1:44.71 (52.84, 51.87). Rounding out the top six was World
Cup slider Chris Hedquist (Salt Lake City, Utah), with a
combined time of 1:44.94 (53.47, 51.47).
RESULTS:
Women:
1. Katie Uhlaender 1:46.45 (54.02, 52.43); 2. Noelle Pikus-Pace 1:46.80 (54.02,
52.78); 3. Rebecca Sorensen 1:48.04 (54.88, 53.16); 4. Courtney Yamada 1:48.21
(55.19, 53.02); 5. Annie O'Shea 1:48.64 (55.56, 53.08); 6. Keslie Tomlinson
1:48.75 (54.44, 54.31); 7. Katie Koczynski (Nyack, N.Y.) 1:49.09 (55.35, 55.74);
8. Linda Cise (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1:49.39 (55.52, 53.87); 9. Jessica Palmer
(Roy, Utah) 1:49.52 (55.31, 54.21); 10. Leah Ford (Sterling, N.Y.) 1:49.61
(54.95, 54.66); 11. Felicia Canfield (Park City, Utah) 1:50.05 (55.44, 54.62);
12. Cassie Revelli 1:50.70 (56.35, 54.35); 13. Kimber Gabrysak (Park City, Utah)
1:52.10 (57.10, 55.00); 14. Sarah Moffit (Park City, Utah) 1:52.96 (57.61,
55.35); 15. Joan Andrews (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1:54.76 (59.00, 55.76); 16.
Angie Stakus (Mendon, Mass.), 1:58.03 (1:00.58, 57.45);
Men:
1. Eric Bernotas 1:42.80 (51.71, 51.09); 2. Zach Lund 1:43.19 (52.19, 51.00); 3.
Matt Antoine 1:43.58 (51.80, 51.78); 4. John Daly 1:44.56 (52.78, 51.78); 5.
Adam Donahoo 1:44.71 (52.84, 51.87); 6. Chris Hedquist 1:44.94 (53.47, 51.47);
7. Stokes Aitken (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1:44.96 (52.91, 52.05); 8. Kyle Tress
(Trenton, N.J.) 1:45.23 (53.02, 52.21); 9. Matt Revelli (Highland, Utah) 1:44.40
(53.05, 52.35); 10. Chris Burgess (Glen Gardner, N.J.) 1:45.56 (53.14, 52.42);
11. Steve Mayer (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1:46.04 (52.70, 52.34); 12. Brad Stewart
(Park City, Utah) 1:47.33 (54.49, 52.84); 13. Dakota Hyde (Ogden, Utah) 1:48.61
(55.46, 53.15); 14. Chris Nurre ( Seven Hills, Ohio) 1:48.69 (55.13, 53.56);
15. Ryan Wrisley (Plattsburgh, N.Y.) 1:50.34 (56.34, 54.00); 16. Allen Blackwell
(Jackson Miss.) 1:51.03 (57.20, 53.83); 17. Phillip Goodwin (Plattsburgh, N.Y.)
(58.67, DNS);
-
December 16, 2006
LAKE PLACID — On an unlikely day for speed, the
United States women's skeleton team contributed to a new track record Friday
as the Lake Placid Cup — the third stop on the FIBT Bobsleigh and Skeleton
World Cup Tour — opened on Mt. Van Hoevenberg.
With unseasonably warm weather in the Adirondack Mountains, Katie Uhlaender
set a track mark of 56.30 seconds in the first heat and added a start record
of 5.25 seconds in the afternoon run. The combination of the two led to her
third straight victory of the World Cup season and a commanding overall lead.
Uhlaender, a 2006 Winter Olympian, defeated teammate Noelle Pikus-Pace with
Switzerland's Maya Pedersen third.
Uhlaender's two runs totaled 1 minute, 53.42 seconds.
"I just show up to throw down and not worry about what everyone else is
doing," said Uhlaender, who contemplated retirement after the Torino Winter
Games. "At the Olympics, my parents helped me with my attitude. Now I try to
control what I can control. That makes it easy when all you have to do is go
down the track."
Pikus-Pace, returning from a serious non-sport injury, shared the track record
as did Michelle Kelly of Canada, who stumbled in the second leg and tied for
fourth.
"I think the track record would have been faster if we didn't make some
mistakes," stated Pikus-Pace. "We had great ice and that's because of the
track crew. They did a fantastic job."
The runner-up also had the support of her family after a bizarre track injury
last fall when a bobsled ran into her in Calgary.
"I lost some of the confidence after the injury," said the 2005 World Cup
champion. "I've been trying to listen to the positive thoughts. I'm okay with
second place but it gives me something to work on the rest of the season."
Pikus-Pace had a combined time of 1:53.50. Pedersen posted 1:53.69.
American men finish 1-2-3
The American men also dominated their home track as the U.S. swept the medals
and placed all four sliders in the top five.
Zach Lund earned his second straight World Cup win and took the overall lead
in the standings by posting times of 55.15 seconds and 56.27 for a combined
1:51.42.
"Getting that first win is hard, but once you get it, it keeps coming," said
Lund. "This is a tough, technical track. The turns are tight and abrupt. We're
lucky to have it as a home track."
Hometown slider Caleb Smith earned his first World Cup medal with a
second-place finish of 1:51.99.
"To get my first medal here and in front of my parents is something very
special," said Smith after his mother, Lisa, sang the National Anthem during
the award ceremony.
Teammate Eric Bernotas had a time of 1:52.18 to take
third for the U.S. sweep.
-
Inaugural
Heisman Trophy Humanitarian Award
Presented to U.S. Olympic Speedskater Joey Cheek
Colorado Springs, Colo. & New
York, N.Y. –
The Heisman Trophy Trust and United States Olympic Committee announced today
that two-time Olympian and 2006 Olympic gold and silver medalist Joey Cheek
(Greensboro, N.C.) has been named the recipient of the inaugural Heisman
Humanitarian Award. Cheek will be presented with the award on Dec. 11 at the
Heisman Awards Dinner at the Hilton Hotel in New York, N.Y. in conjunction with
the award presentation of the 72nd Annual Heisman Memorial Trophy.
After winning gold in the 500m
and a silver in the 1000m in long track speedskating at the XX Olympic Winter
Games in February 2006, Cheek selflessly donated his $40,000 in performance
earnings ($25,000 for gold and $15,000 for silver) to the organization, Right To
Play, earmarked for Darfurian refugees. Right To Play is a non-governmental
humanitarian organization that uses sport and play to aid in the development of
children in disadvantaged areas of the world.
“We are both proud and pleased to name Joey Cheek the recipient
of the first Heisman Humanitarian Award, and to make a $25,000 contribution in
Joey’s name to Right to Play. This contribution will be specifically earmarked
to assist Joey’s mission,” said William Dockery, President of The Heisman
Trophy Trust. “The Heisman feels a sense of pride and satisfaction for the role
it has recently assumed in providing opportunities to underserved and
underrepresented youth. One Hundred (100%) percent of the net proceeds from the
Trust's endeavors are dedicated to charitable purposes. The Heisman goal is to
symbolize, and thereby encourage, a sense of community responsibility and
service to those less fortunate and/or afflicted.”
Cheek’s generosity inspired others to contribute thousands of
dollars to the organization. As a result of his humanitarianism and exemplary
behavior, he was elected by his peers to carry the American flag during the
Closing Ceremony of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. His actions and challenge to
corporations around the globe to provide assistance has generated more than
$500,000 for Darfur. Cheek has gone on to form his own non-profit organization,
‘Where Will We Be?’ (www.wherewillwebe.org)
whose mission is to assist those in the Darfur region of Sudan.
“The U.S. Olympic Committee is extremely proud of Joey and his
exemplary acts to better the lives of others,” said U.S. Olympic Committee Chief
Executive Officer Jim Scherr. “He is a shining example of an athlete
that utilizes his status as an Olympian to affect positive change through the
promotion of the Olympic Ideals and the mission of the Olympic Movement. His
generosity and fortitude are worthy of being named the first recipient of this
prestigious award.”
“Every time I receive a blessing, I look at it as an incredible
opportunity to help someone else. This award is a huge honor, but even more
important is the chance it gives me to speak out for those with no voice. And
even though I am a speedskater, and this is a humanitarian award, I cannot lie –
when I heard I would be receiving it – I did some Heisman poses around my living
room,” said Cheek.
In addition to his humanitarian work with Where Will We Be? and
Right To Play, Cheek also works with the Save Darfur Coalition, a group which
raises
public awareness about the sufferings of the two million people in Darfur. An
outspoken leader, Cheek has participated in major international events including
the 2006 Clinton Global Initiative and the 2006 World AIDS conference.
He has been a guest
speaker at the United Nations, numerous universities across the country and at
major public rallies in both Washington D.C. and New York City.
A three-time Olympic medalist (2002/bronze, 2006/gold and
silver) and reigning World Champion, Cheek has been named one of Time
Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of the Year and is a finalist for
Sports Illustrated’s 2006 Sportsman of the Year.
He was
the recipient of the 2006 DHL
U.S. Olympic Spirit Award, 2006 Eric Heiden Skater of the Year Award and the
2006 National Sportsmanship Award. Cheek’s humanitarian efforts to resolve the
Darfur conflict will be chronicled in an upcoming television series by MTV
Network’s mtvU. He will attend Princeton University to study economics in the
fall of 2007.
The Heisman Trophy Trust assumed the stewardship of The Heisman
Trophy and its operation due to the unfortunate demise of the Downtown Athletic
Club post 9/11. The Trust is responsible for the preservation, protection,
enhancement and integrity of the trophy. The stewardship of the Heisman Trophy
by the Trust increases exponentially the ability of the Heisman to contribute to
charitable purposes. For more information about The Heisman or for tickets to
the awards dinner please visit
www.Heisman.com.
-
Benshoof Takes Bronze in
Challenge Cup - PARK CITY, Utah ---
USA Luge’s Erin Hamlin (Remsen, N.Y.) raced to the women’s singles silver medal,
while Tony Benshoof (White Bear Lake, Minn.)
captured the men’s singles bronze medal in Friday’s, Dec. 1, luge Challenge Cup
series opener held in Park City, Utah.
On her way to her first-career senior individual medal and a face-off against
Germany’s two-time Olympic champion, Sylke Otto, Hamlin eliminated Ukrainian
Natalia Yakushenko and Switzerland’s Martina Kocher in the opening round, before
sliding past Austria’s Nina Reithmayer in the semi-finals. In the medal round,
the 20-year-old slid to a single heat time of 44.533 seconds, .436 seconds
behind Otto, who won her 19th-career Challenge Cup race in a time of 44.097.
“This feels great, I had a pretty good week of training and things kind of fell
together today,” said Hamlin, a 2006 Olympian. “I had three solid runs and I
hope that this is the start to something more.”
Germany’s Silke Kraushaar-Pielach won the bronze medal by recording a faster
time than Reithmayer in the semi-finals
Hamlin’s 2006 Olympic team teammate, Courtney Zablocki (Highlands Ranch, Colo.),
could not get out of her opening round match-up against Kraushaar-Pielach and
Ukrainian Liliya Ludan and finished 12th.
Benshoof, who captured last season’s overall men’s singles Challenge Cup silver
medal, was awarded bronze after Latvia’s Martins Rubenis, who had finished
third, was disqualified for an equipment infraction. Benshoof, a two-time
Olympian, reached the race’s second round with an opening-heat victory over
Austria’s Martin Abentung, Canada’s Sam Edney and Italy’s Wilfried Huber. In the
semi-finals, Benshoof fell to Russia’s Albert Demtschenko, who lost to Italy’s
Armin Zoeggeler in the finals. Demtschenko clocked a one-heat time of 46.000,
while Zoeggeler, the two-time Olympic champion, stopped the clock in 45.459.
Italy’s Christian Oberstolz and Patrick Gruber won Friday’s doubles title. The
pair faced Austria’s Andreas Linger and Wolfgang Linger in the finals and
clocked a single heat time of 43.696, while the Lingers stopped the clock at
43.744. Germany’s Patric Leitner and Alexander Resch captured bronze.
USA Luge’s Mark Grimmette (Muskegon, Mich.) and Brian Martin (Palo Alto, Calif.)
fell in their second round match-up with the Lingers and finished fourth
overall.
-
Joe Cheek Update - October, 2006
With
the summer of ’06 disappearing in the rear view mirror, the snowball of momentum
gold medalist Joey Cheek began at the Olympic Games in February continues to
grow. In late July, Cheek was honored on Fox Sports at the 40th Annual Victor
Awards in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was then named one of the US Junior Chamber’s
‘Ten Outstanding Young Americans’ and has been invited to be part of the
Heisman Trophy presentation ceremonies to be held in early December.
In August, Joey spoke about his work in Zambia, Africa with Right To Play (www.righttoplay.com)
at The XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto, Canada. He then
moved on to three high profile events in New York City; speaking at the
United Nations on 9/8, in front of 30 thousand people at the Voices to
End Genocide concert in Central Park on 9/17 and finally at the Clinton
Global Initiative (CGI) on 9/20-22. The CGI was the standout event on
Cheek’s calendar since being crowned Olympic Champion in Turin.
“Reading through the list of attendees at the CGI is both an inspiring and
intimidating task. I was flattered to be included and determined to make the
most of a very real opportunity to make a difference in the world. The CGI was
the catalyst to the creation of, and most certainly the launching point of my ‘Where
Will We Be?’ campaign. I sincerely hope everyone will take a moment to
review a brief summary of the program online at
www.wherewillwebe.org .” - Joey Cheek
The Clinton Global Initiative is a non-partisan catalyst for action, bringing
together a community of global leaders to devise and implement innovative
solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. At the event Cheek
presented a self-founded initiative to utilize an international coalition of
elite athletes to take action and end the crisis in Darfur, Sudan. In a surprise
announcement at the closing session of the CGI, Cheek was called to the stage by
President Clinton where together they signed a public letter of
commitment to see this program come to fruition (view Cheek meeting with
President Clinton online through this link, cue the video to 1:22:00:
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/health_cast/hcast_index.cfm?display=detail&hc=1896
An ever growing list of speaking engagement requests in the upcoming months
includes Brown University, Swarthmore, John’s Hopkins and the U.S.
Army. However, the one speaking engagement that stood out among all others
was Cheek’s October 3rd visit to Harvard University.
“There’s no ducking the irony that those Crimson folks rejected my
application to become a student and then turned around and asked me to come and
address those who would have been my classmates and faculty. Nevertheless,
Darfur is a critical issue that needs everyone’s attention so I welcomed the
opportunity to participate and applaud the efforts Harvard is making to address
this crisis.” -J.C.
Cheek recently formed a partnership with
Market America, based in his hometown of Greensboro, NC on the release
of a new line of vitamins, Champion Blend, that will bear Cheek’s image (www.speedanddelivery.com
). A portion of all sales will go to the Joey Cheek Community Fund
(Cheek’s foundation) earmarked for Right To Play.
Finally, in early November Cheek is schedule to return to Africa to visit
Ethiopia and Chad with the International Red Cross and Red
Crescents Movement. In Chad, Cheek will observe the humanitarian work being
carried out by the Red Cross for Sudanese/Darfuri refugees.
-
Save Darfur Coalition Rally
in New York’s Central Park to Call for U.N. Peacekeepers
Suzanne Vega, Former Canadian
Minister of Justice to Join Madeleine Albright, O.A.R., Lupe Fiasco and Big &
Rich in international call to stop genocide in Darfur
WHAT:
"Save Darfur Now: Voices to Stop Genocide,” will bring together musicians,
celebrities, activists, faith leaders and key decision makers to
call for world leaders to take immediate and clear action to end the ongoing
genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. Coinciding with a meeting of the 61st
United Nations General Assembly, the rally will be the centerpiece event in a
global day of action. More information is available at
www.savedarfur.org/now.
WHO:
MUSICAL PERFORMANCES BY:
- O.A.R.
- Suzanne Vega
- Lupe Fiasco
- Big & Rich
- Berklee College of Music Ensemble
SPEAKERS (Note: Additional speakers and
entertainers expected to be announced)
- Dr. Madeleine Albright, former U.S. Secretary
of State
- Dr. Irwin Cotler, former Canadian Minister of
Justice and Attorney General
- Joey Cheek, 2006 Olympic
gold-medalist speed skater
- Jeff Johnson, BET, Hip Hop 4 Darfur
- Joe Madison, host, “The Black Eagle” radio
show
- Larry Cox, executive director, Amnesty
International USA
- Rabbi Steve Gutow, executive director, Jewish
Council for Public Affairs
- Imam al-Hajj Talib Abdur-Rashid, The Mosque Of
The Islamic Brotherhood
- Representatives from 11 national Darfuri
organizations
- John Prendergast, senior advisor,
International Crisis Group
- Rev. Gloria White-Hammond, MD, chairwoman,
Million Voices for Darfur campaign
- David Rubenstein, coordinator, Save Darfur
Coalition
WHERE:
“East Meadow” of Central Park, New York City Press entrance at 97th Street and
5th Avenue (PRESS ONLY)
WHEN:
Sunday, September 17, 2006, 2:00-5:00 p.m.
###
-
MARKET AMERICA INKS DEAL WITH
GOLD-MEDALIST JOEY CHEEK
AUGUST 1, 2006
GREENSBORO, N.C. (Aug. 1, 2006) – Joey Cheek, gold-medal Olympic speed skater,
will become the next champion to appear on Market America’s Isotonix® Champion
Blend. The new product partnership will be announced by Market America at its
annual 2006 International Convention, to take place August 3-6, 2006, at the
Greensboro Coliseum in North Carolina.
Cheek became America’s first multiple medal winner in the 2006 Winter Games held
in Torino, Italy by taking the gold in the 500 meter and silver in the 1000
meter.
In honor of Cheek and his accomplishments, Market America will donate to Right
to Play, a portion of all sales of Champion Blend and Isotonix Might-A-Mins®, a
children’s multivitamin. Right to Play is an athlete-driven international
humanitarian organization that uses sports and play as a tool for the
development of children and youth in the most disadvantaged areas of the world.
After winning his medals Cheek gave his entire $40,000 medal bonus to Right to
Play and continues to help the organization.
On Friday, August 4, Market America founders JR and Loren Ridinger will
introduce Cheek and the new products live on-stage, in front of a capacity
audience of 20,000 distributors, in attendance from the U.S., Canada, Australia
and Taiwan, over the four days.
“Isotonix Champion Blend is an amazing product that has helped other world-class
athletes compete at high levels,” said Cheek. “I’m proud to be associated with
this product and Market America. I have been blessed with an athletic gift that
has helped me make a difference for so many people around the world. Market
America’s willingness to donate a portion of the sales of Champion Blend and
Isotonix Might-A-Mins will help continue the mission of Right to Play all over
the world.”
The Isotonix Champion Blend is a 15-day supply of six different Isotonix
products: OPC-3, ORAC, Vitamin C, Vitamin B-12, Mineral Blast and MultiTech. The
blend provides 97 essential vitamins and minerals that can help boost
performance and overall health.
Isotonix Champion Blend is available exclusively through Market America’s
independent distributors. To find a local distributor, visit marketamerica.com
or call (800) 862-6561.
ABOUT MARKET AMERICA
Market America’s unique business model combines the power of the Internet and
One-to-One Marketing to sell innovative products and services through
independent distributors around the world. Founded in 1992, the company has
realized more than $2.1 billion in suggested retail sales. The company now has
more than 125,000 independent distributors worldwide. In 2005, the company
opened operations in Taiwan and plans further expansion into the Pacific Rim.
More information is available at www.marketamerica.com.
# # #
-
Joey Cheek Update - July '06
July, 2006
– When we last left off with Olympic Champion Joey Cheek in late April he was on
his way to the White House Correspondents Dinner and preparing his
keynote address for the Rally to Stop Genocide hosted by the Save Darfur
Coalition. As the Rally’s closing speaker, Cheek addressed his largest audience
to date, estimated at over 50,000 people. He was joined by Hollywood’s George
Clooney, country music’s Big & Rich and a host of political and spiritual
leaders from across the country. Within days of the rally’s conclusion new peace
treaties were signed by rebel groups in the Sudan.
“The
new peace agreements are undoubtedly a huge step in the right direction, but
let’s not be fooled into thinking this crisis is behind us. I’m optimistic that
this news marks a turning point for the people of Darfur, but I am realistic in
knowing that there is still a long way to go. We must continue to push the
issue of Darfur until its people can rest with a similar sense of peace the
we American’s so often take for granted. “ - Joey Cheek
The
following week Cheek was honored in NY City by Time Magazine being name to their
list of the ‘100 Most Influential People in the World.’ The evening saw
Cheek spending time with fellow honorees Senator John McCain, Katie Couric,
Wynton Marsalis, Stephen Colbert and George Lucas.
“To recently be included in the
company of champion athletes all of different sports has been a flattering
after-shock of my success at the Olympics. To be included in the company of
champions from all different walks of life, from all over the planet, is
somewhat overwhelming. And of course, to be at a private Paul Simon (who
performed) concert, well that’s just cool.” - J.C.
Next Cheek
was back to the White House, this time to be honored with all of his fellow US
Olympians for a few days of pomp and circumstance before be addressed by
President Bush.
“We
appreciate Joey Cheek, who won the Gold and then turned around and donated
$40,000 to help the refugee children of Sudan. What a wonderful example for all
of us here in America to know that with our personal victories comes the
responsibility of helping those who suffer and those who need help.”
President Bush, May 17, 2006
The end
of May brought with it Cheek’s final, and much anticipated decision on where he
will attend college. After a widely publicized snub from Harvard followed by
acceptances from Stanford, Yale, Columbia and others it was Princeton who won
out.
“I’m not sure how my college
admission became such a big deal, but I’m excited and relieved to have selected
Princeton. I was able to visit the campus a few months ago and was both by its
magnificence as well as the welcome I was greeted with by both the
administrators and students whom I was able to spend time with.”
Last
week Cheek was honored with the National Sportsmanship Award, hosted this
year by the St. Louis Sports Commission. NBC’s Bob Costas was the guest MC who
interviewed Cheek on stage before presenting the award.
“It was a fabulous event with
plenty of very deserving honorees there, all of whom have done some remarkable
things in the wake of their own athletic success. And, having Bob Costas
captured on stage with me gave me a chance to give him some public good natured
ribbing for blowing my chances of getting into Harvard. It was a great evening,
lots of fun.”
Finally,
last weekend Cheek was recognized at the 21st annual Cedars Siani
Sports Spectacular in Los Angeles where over 1.6 million dollars was raised
during the evening. The event was a star studded who’s who of sports legends
and entertainers who turn out annually in support of the hospitals work in the
research and treatment of genetic disorders.
“Kobe, Jerome ‘The Bus’
Bettis, LL Cool J, Snoop Dog and Joey Cheek – let’s just say my life is very
different now than I ever imagined it would or could be. It’s all great fun and
the opportunity to contribute any way I can to worthy causes such as this one is
something I’m always happy to do.”
###
-
TIME 100: The People Who
Shape Our World - From Time Magazine | Heroes & Pioneers (read
it at Time Magazine here)
Joey Cheek
The Speedskater With a Heart of Gold
By
DAN JANSEN
Posted Sunday, Apr. 30, 2006
Call me old-fashioned. Or just call me old (I'll be 41 this year). But my
philosophy toward sports is a cliche: it isn't so much the result that makes
me proud of an athlete or a performance; it's the effort. It's how an athlete
handles wins and losses. It's attitude. And it's about understanding that
being great at a sport doesn't make you a great person.
I am proud of Joey Cheek. Sure, I am proud of
his accomplishments on the ice. He had a dream season this year, winning a
world sprint championship and two Olympic medals, a gold in the 500 m and a
silver in the 1,000 m in Torino. I am proud that he won these medals in my
sport of speedskating. But what Cheek did upon winning his Olympic medals is
what makes me most proud.
Cheek, 26, donated his $40,000 in bonus money
($25,000 for gold and $15,000 for silver) to an organization called Right to
Play, which helps kids in the war-torn, poverty-stricken countries in Africa.
Corporate-matched donations have multiplied that into hundreds of thousands of
dollars. So many sports figures dominate the headlines for the wrong reasons.
Many parents have been waiting for a worthy role model their kids can look up
to. Need we look further?
The 1,000-m Olympic gold medalist in '94,
Jansen has held eight speedskating world records
-
Olympic Speed Skating Champion Joey Cheek to Speak at “SAVE DARFUR: Rally to
Stop Genocide” in Washington, DC on April 30
Washington, DC
- Olympic speed skating Gold and Silver Medalist Joey Cheek,
who donated his $40,000 U.S. Olympic Committee bonus to benefit the children
in genocide-ravaged Darfur, Sudan, announced today that he will speak at the
“SAVE DARFUR: Rally to Stop Genocide” in Washington, DC on April 30. Cheek,
who attended a Republican National Gala event with President Bush on Thursday
night, made the announcement today at the non-partisan Center for National
Policy during a briefing on the conflict in Darfur by House Democratic Leader
Nancy Pelosi. Pelosi recently led a bi-partisan congressional delegation to
Darfur and delivered the delegation’s report to President Bush and United
Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan.
“President Bush has taken the morally correct action by asking Congress to
provide emergency supplemental funding to fortify the badly under-manned and
under-funded African Union peacekeeping forces, but it’s going to take more
than money to solve this crisis,” said Cheek. “As compassionate Americans, we
all have a moral responsibility to publicly speak out and tell our leaders
that genocide is unacceptable any time, any place. The Rally to Stop Genocide
is a rare opportunity for all of us to join together and deliver that
unequivocal message.”
The rally will conclude a 21,000 mile, 22-city photo exhibit and speaking
“Tour for Darfur: Eyewitness to Genocide” to urge the Bush administration to
take all the necessary steps to end the genocide and build a lasting peace in
the Darfur region of western Sudan, and on Congress to provide the resources
necessary to do so. The tour’s featured speaker is Brian Steidle, a former
Marine captain and U.S. representative to the African Union’s peacekeeping
mission in Darfur from September 2004 to February 2005 (www.SaveDarfur.org/Steidle).
“Joey Cheek’s extraordinary generosity exponentially raised international
awareness about the innocent men, women and children who are suffering and
dying in Darfur every day we fail to take the actions necessary to end the
violence,” said Steidle. “While most Americans don’t have the resources to
match Joey’s donation, they can emulate his Olympic spirit by participating in
the ‘Save Darfur’ rally and the ‘Million Voices for Darfur’ postcard campaign
to urge President Bush and Congress to lead the world in halting this
three-year genocide.”
The goal of the “Million Voices for Darfur” campaign is to generate one
million postcards to President Bush urging him to use the power of his office
to fulfill his February 17 pledge to support a stronger multi-national force
to protect the Darfuri people. Anyone can send an electronic version of this
postcard in just a few seconds by visiting
www.MillionVoicesForDarfur.org.
The postcards will be hand delivered to Washington, DC during the “SAVE DARFUR:
Rally to Stop Genocide.”
Since February 2003, an estimated 300,000+ people have died in Darfur as a
result of what the President and Congress recognized in 2004 to be genocide
sponsored by the Sudanese government and perpetrated by its Janjaweed militia
allies, with 3.5 million dependent on foreign aid for their survival and 2
million people forced by violence to live in make-shift camps.
April 20, 2006 – After
spending a week in Africa participating in Right To Play (www.righttoplay.com)
sponsored programs for the children of Lusaka, Zambia Olympic Champion Joey
Cheek had little time to catch his breath before embarking on his next
mission, a collegiate speaking tour aimed at raising awareness of the
genocide taking place in Darfur. In between getting off the plane on Sunday
and the tour’s first stop at NY University on Monday Cheek made the NY City
media rounds with stops at CBS, ABC, FOX, CNN, ESPN and others, all the
while with a camera crew from his new mtvU show, 'Joey Cheek Goes
to College’ in tow. Catching up on unopened mail, Cheek’s
college acceptance list now includes
Princeton,
Yale, Stanford, Duke, Columbia, NYU,
Georgetown
and UNC with decision day looming on the not so distant horizon.
“When I won the gold
medal in
Torino,
I expected my life to be busy for a while, but I never imagined things could
be as hectic as they are now. I’ve had so many amazing experiences since the
Olympics that it’s hard to believe it was only two months ago,” said Cheek.
Cheek joined twelve-time
Olympic medalist Jenny Thompson with the international humanitarian
organization Right To Play in
Lusaka,
Zambia
in an effort to educate children of the growing HIV-AIDS epidemic that is
devastating their country.
“Having witnessed the
work that Right To Play is doing on the ground in Africa, and being part of
it for even a short time, I’m more inspired than ever to do what I can to
help further their efforts. Children everywhere deserve the chance to play
and to simply be children. Right To Play is making that happen.”
Particularly concerned
with the growing crisis in the
Darfur
region of
Sudan,
Cheek has embarked on a two week collegiate speaking tour, sponsored by the
Save Darfur Coalition (www.savedarfur.org),
to address the calamity. Cheek will visit NYU, Yale, UNC-Charlotte, UVA,
Maryland,
VA Tech and
George
Washington before
culminating with his keynote address at The Rally to Stop Genocide on the
Mall in
Washington,
DC
on Sunday, April 30. Tens of thousands of people of conscience are
anticipated to attend. The goal is to raise public pressure on the Bush
administration to end the genocide and build a lasting peace in Darfur, and
on Congress to provide the necessary resources to do so.
“Darfur
was and is my primary area of concern. It’s inconceivable that genocide is
still taking place in the world today, but it is. The Save
Darfur
Coalition has been working tirelessly for years to shed light on this
worldwide travesty. We can all do something, be it donate, attend the rally
or simply send in a postcard as part of the Million Voices Campaign.”
(www.millionvoicesfordarfur.org)
remarked Cheek.
Joining Cheek on his
speaking tour, throughout the process of college enrollment and on to campus
life will be mtvU, MTV's 24 hour college
channel, broadcast to more than 730 colleges and nearly seven million
students across the country (www.mtvU.com).
Joey Cheek Goes to College will debut with
6 episodes in the fall. A sneek preview of the show will premiere on demand
on mtvU's broadband channel, mtvU
Über at mtvU.com, on May 1st.
“I certainly never
thought a speedskater from
North
Carolina
would ever be fodder for reality TV, but here I am. I prefer to call this
edu-TV as it’s my hope, that in addition to having some fun we’ll be able to
shed some light on important worldwide issues, like Darfur, to students
across the country.”
The burning question for
Cheek is now the final decision on which college acceptance he’ll accept.
With no shortage of top tier schools rolling out the red carpet and mtvU
chronicling nearly every moment the aspiring undergrad is on the hot-seat.
“I’m blessed to have
been admitted to such great schools and I suppose in the end I really can’t
lose. Unfortunately, that thought still doesn’t help me make what I
consider to be the most important decision of my life thus far. Dare I say,
‘tune in to the first episode’ to see where I’ll be calling home for the
next few years because at this point I still don’t know.”
###
-
JOEY CHEEK DAY RAISES $300,000.00
Olympic Champion
Joey Cheek’s March 23rd return to his hometown of
Greensboro,
NC
was marked by a daylong celebration in honor of his on-ice performance at
last month’s Olympic Games and his ongoing off-ice commitment to helping his
fellow man.
Cheek’s
homecoming began with a surprise presentation of a 2006 Corvette, trimmed
appropriately in gold, and culminated with a fireworks display fit for a
Fourth of July celebration. The local hero was honored
by everyone from his former middle school to Senators, Congressman and
Representatives. The day saw the establishment of The Joey Cheek
International Scholarship Fund and The Joey Cheek
Charitable Fund.
Greensboro
rolled out the red carpet with billboards honoring Cheek around the city and
a daylong police escort of the Cheek caravan. In an ongoing tribute to
Cheek’s unending commitment to giving back, the Greensboro community set out
to match his own Olympic donation of $40,000.00 for Right to Play
(www.righttoplay.com).
By day's end, the final tally was nearly $300,000, a
testament to the generosity of Joey’s hometown. Of that total, $40,000 will
match Cheek’s Right to Play donation, almost $130,000 will go to The Joey
Cheek Charitable Fund and a $130,000 Greensboro College scholarship was
presented.
“I’m seldom
at a loss for words” said Cheek. “But more than once
during the day I was overwhelmed. Being handed the key
to a brand new Corvette was, well, a shocking way to kick things off.
But what really left me a bit dumbfounded was to hear the final
dollar amount raised to help others, both here and around the world who so
desperately need our assistance. I always knew this
community was something special and it certainly proved it today.”
Cheek began the
day on WFMY’s (CBS) Good Morning Show, where he was caught off guard, but
on-air, with the presentation of a new 2006 Corvette, courtesy of local
dealer Bill Black Chevrolet Cadillac.
“Joey Cheek,
like the Chevy Corvette, is an American icon. Joey’s
performance at the Olympics, both on and off the ice, was that of a high
performance machine wrought with integrity and class. He deserves a Corvette
and we’re proud to see him in it,” said Bill Black, owner of Bill Black
Chevrolet Cadillac.
Cheek proceeded
to celebrations in his honor at his alma maters
Aycock
Middle School
and
Dudley
High School,
the latter of which has now raised a banner honoring their famous alum to
the rafters of the school gymnasium. He moved on to The Joey Cheek
Charitable Fund Luncheon where over 500 guests paid $20 a head to spend a
few minutes with their local hero.
Greensboro
College
presented Cheek with the first annual Joey Cheek International Scholarship
Fund that will allow Joey to present a four year scholarship, inclusive of
all expenses, to the student of his choosing from the
Darfur
region of the
Sudan,
Cheek’s primary area of charitable concern. Cheek was also presented with
checks totaling $80,000 - $40,000 for the Right to Play charity and another
$40,000 for youth programs in Greensboro. The money was raised by three
Greensboro non-profits - the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro,
United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro, and the United Way of Greater
Greensboro – in honor of Cheek’s accomplishments. The afternoon’s program
saw Cheek moved to tears for the first time since he stood atop the podium
at the Olympics Games and was capped off by a live auction that fetched
hundreds of dollars for Cheek autographed baseball caps and thousands of
dollars for a few minutes of riding shotgun with Cheek in his new Corvette.
“Since the
Olympics, my life has been a whirlwind,” said Cheek. “I’ve been running from
city to city, literally not in the same place for more than 48 hours at a
stretch and often not that long. I guess I just hadn’t
had time to take it all in and for a few minutes on stage today, the last
five weeks hit me. I would never have achieved what I
did without the support of countless people, and many of those people still
call
Greensboro
home. I’m so proud to say that I do too.”
Next it was off
to a press conference where the Greensboro Jaycees suprised Cheek with a
$10,000.00 contribution to the new fund before proceeding to a Greensboro
Chamber of Commerce reception where Cheek spoke to nearly 600 community
leaders. During the event, the African Services
Coalition presented Cheek with the dressings of a Sudanese warrior.
“When a hero
from outside the tribe does something extraordinary the chief gives him the
warrior dress and he will always be known as their hero. By having our
national dress, this tells the whole world that he is our hero,” said
Director Omer Omer.
Cheek then moved
on to First Horizon Park, home of the Greensboro Grasshoppers, for a
citywide celebration that featured on-field honors from Mayor Keith
Holliday, the Dudley High School band, celebratory videos of his road to
Olympic gold and remarks from his former skating coach and parents.
An elaborate fireworks display lit up the
Carolina
night in a closing tribute to
Greensboro’s
hometown hero.
The following
morning Cheek filmed a Chevrolet/Cadillac television commercial before
departing for events in
Washington,
DC.
This week he will resume his
US
speaking tour with events in
Las
Vegas,
Orlando,
Washington
and
Palm
Springs.
-----------------------------------------------
Joey Cheek
extends a heartfelt thank you to the collaborative efforts of the Greensboro
Sports Commission, Action Greensboro, Bill Black Chevrolet Cadillac, the
City of Greensboro, Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, Fairway
Outdoor Advertising, Guilford County Schools, Greater Greensboro Merchant’s
Association, Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, Greensboro College, Greensboro
Grasshoppers, Greensboro Sports Council, Guilford Education Alliance, News &
Record, United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro, United Way of Greater
Greensboro, and WFMY News 2.
###
-
CHEEK DONATION
EFFORTS REACH HALF-MILLION MARK
3/14/06 - Chicago, IL - It has now been one month since Olympian Joey Cheek
won Olympic gold in Torino, Italy. Immediately thereafter Cheek donated the
$25,000.00 prize purse (and later an additonal $15,000) to Right To Play, an
athlete-driven international humanitarian organization that uses sport and
play as a tool for the development of children in the most disadvantaged areas
of the world. Cheek expressed particular concern with the Darfur region of the
Sudan and challenged corporations and individuals around the world to take
action and contribute to RTP. Contributions
to date exceed $500,000.00. The list of corporate supporters includes;
Lenovo, The Gap, Nike, Jet Set Sports, General Mills and The US Olympic
Committee. Notable individual contributions have also come from friends of
the US Ski Team as well as fellow speedskaters Clara Hughes of Canada and Yang
Yang (A) of China.
"My hope at the Olympics
was to use my moment in the spotlight to call attention to people in the world
who need our help. That said, I never imagined the response would be so
overwhelming. I'm thrilled almost beyond words. While the Olympics are now
behind me, it seems the public interest in supporting RTP and the situation in
Darfur is growing with each passing day. I sincerely hope to continue this
positive momentum well into the future and I thank everyone who has stepped up
and gotten involved thus far."
- Joey Cheek
As the Olympic Games drew to a close Cheek was honored by his peers, being
elected to carry the American flag into the closing ceremonies, and by the
public at large, as he was elected the recipient of the
US Olympic Committee's Spirit Award.
Joey Cheek was then bestowed the crown jewel of Olympic sports marketing when
he was selected to appear on the Wheaties
box.
Cheek has now signed an ongoing endorsement agreement for
Lenovo computers, makers of ThinkPad,
and will appear on their behalf later this week in Las Vegas. He recently
completed an extensive media tour through NY City and has now embarked on a
month long series of speaking engagements.
Joey Cheek will meet with President Bush
later this week at the Republican National Gala, then join
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
the following day at the Center for National Policy to address the situation
in Darfur.
April 8th-15th Joey will join a delegation from Right To Play on a relief
mission to Zambia. Later that month
he will return to Washington, DC to attend the
White House Correspondents Dinner on
4/29 and participate as a featured speaker at the Save Darfur Coalition's
Rally to Stop Genocide on 4/30 - 30,000+ attendees are expected at the
event.
Cheek's hometown of Greensboro, NC has declared
March 23rd 'Joey Cheek Day', upon
which the city will welcome Cheek home for the first time since their native
son became Olympic Champion. The day long celebration will include numerous
activities to honor both Cheek's accomplishments and generosity. The
community has pledged $80,000.00 to a combination of Right To Play and local
youth programming charities. Included in the day's events will be the
official announcement of Greensboro College's
Joey Cheek Scholarship, a four-year scholarship in Cheek's honor to be
awarded to a student from the Darfur region of the Sudan.
Greensboro has also honored their local hero with the recent unveiling of a
celebratory billboard featuring Joey (view the billboard here: http://www.qsports.net).
“Cheek is an antitoxin for those who have been
fed a steady diet of showboating, sniping, self-absorbed Olympians.” -
Karen Krause, New York Times
“…if you're looking for an Olympic moment to
treasure, watch Joey Cheek carry the flag. He's the American hero of the
bunch.” - Jay Mariotti, Chicago Sun Times
“Here's your Olympic hero, America.
Or maybe we should say, ‘Here's your boy, Red, White and Blue!’ Cheek is the
kind of athlete we should spotlight.”
- Eric Adelson, ESPN The Magazine
“Cheek showed what happens when the Olympic torch
falls into the right hands, when it belongs to someone who will use it to
illuminate the world's problems and try to solve them. It's the most
surprising, enlightening news conference I've ever seen.”- J.A. Adande
L.A. Times
--------------------------------------------------------
As the XXth Olympic Winter Games came to a
conclusion yesterday in Torino, Italy, American Joey Cheek has emerged as an
Olympian for the ages. While his on-ice performance was nothing short of
spectacular, leaving no doubt who the fastest man in the world is with a
dominating gold medal finish in the 500 meters and a follow up silver medal
in the 1000 meters, it was his off ice performance that has left an
indelible mark in Olympic history.
Upon winning gold on the third day of the
Olympic Games, Cheek silenced the post race press conference jammed with
seasoned international Olympic correspondents by refusing to talk about his
recent ‘dream come true’. Instead, he displayed poise and character well
beyond his years, utilizing his fifteen seconds of fame to speak of human
rights, injustice and genocide. He spoke eloquently of the perilous
situation in the Darfur region of Sudan and announced that he would donate
the $25,000.00 bonus that accompanies his gold medal performance to the
Right To Play, an athlete-driven international humanitarian
organization that uses sport and play as a tool for the development of
children and youth in the most disadvantaged areas of the world. He went on
to challenge the USOC sponsors and corporations worldwide to match his
contribution. Instantly his impact was undeniable, as Nike, The Gap, Jet Set
Sports, Lenovo and individual donors around the world responded with
contributions of their own. To date
$392,996.00
have been raised in response. Website hits at
www.righttoplay.com
have spiked from typical traffic of 30,000 hits to nearly 100,000 hits per
day. A ten year old boy from Cheek’s hometown in North Carolina sent a
$5.00 bill with a note that read simply, “I got this for Valentine’s day but
you need it more.”
Days later Cheek narrowly missed another gold
medal in the 1000 meters, settling for silver. At the post race press
conference he announced that the accompanying $15,000.00 silver medal bonus
would also be going to Right To Play. He went on to say that he realizes
not everyone has the financial means to do what he has done, but that
everyone can take action to help others. In an effort to not only be a
financial contributor but to demonstrate that he is a man of action, Cheek
announced he would be participating in a Right To Play relief mission to
Zambia in mid April. The media responded with numerous requests to
accompany him and chronicle the mission.
As a result of the manner in which Joey Cheek
conducted himself over the course of the seventeen days of the Olympic Games
he was bestowed the greatest honor an Olympian can receive. He was elected
by his athlete peers to carry the American flag into last night’s closing
ceremonies. In addition, he was elected by the public at large, journalists
and Olympians past and present as the recipient of the USOC Spirit Award,
recognizing both his athletic accomplishments and his commitment to the
spirit and ideals of the Olympic Games.
“I could feel that I was skating well in the
weeks leading up to the Olympics so my goal for these (Olympic) games was to
continue that, to skate well, and given the opportunity to speak out, to use
that to hopefully effect change. With the games now winding down, I can
honestly say the experience far exceeded my wildest expectations. These are
memories I’ll cherish forever, and I hope to continue to use any opportunity
I come upon to raise awareness of people and places desperately in need of
our help.” Joey Cheek
Cheek now moves on to Holland for next weekend’s
World Cup Finale where he is in contention to add World Cup Champion to this
season’s honors of World Sprint Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist.
Joey Cheek will return to the US on March 6th to
New York City where he will conduct an extensive media tour through March 9th,
including an event on March 8th at the newly opened Right To Play
office at NY’s Chelsea Piers. Thereafter he will return home to Greensboro,
North Carolina.
-
Joey
Cheek Olympic gold medalist - Post race
press conference transcript
Q&A: Joey Cheek after
winning the Olympic 500 meters:
Opening Statement:
I know you guys all want to do sweet stories about Hallmark and chocolates
and butterflies and all that, but I have a pretty unique experience and a
pretty unique opportunity here. So I'm going to take advantage of it while I
can.
I have been blessed by competing in the
Olympics in speedskating. I am grateful that my family has supported me
through all of this, my coaches, my friends and my country has supported me
wholeheartedly. The United States Olympic Committee has been amazing.
Without their support, none of the athletes who train and compete would be
able to train and compete at this level.
I've always felt that if I ever did something
big like this I wanted to be prepared to give something back. So ... I'm
going to be donating the entire (Operation Gold) sum the USOC gives to me,
which I think is around $25,000, I'm not sure, to the organization that
Johann Olav Koss either started or gave to in 1994. And I'm going to be
asking all of the Olympic sponsors that give hundreds of millions of dollars
if they will also maybe match my donation to a specific project.
So, as you know, there's been some media but
not a ton, especially in the U.S., in the Darfur region of Sudan. There has
been tens and tens of thousands of people killed. My government has labeled
it a genocide, and so I will be donating money specifically to refugees in
Chad where there are over 60,000 children who have been displaced from their
homes. And hopefully, if the region ever gets stabilized, hopefully from
pressure through the United Nations or from the U.S. government or from some
other agency, then we can go into Sudan and start programs for refugees
there.
For me, the Olympics have been the greatest
blessing. If I retired yesterday I would have gotten everything in the world
from speedskating and from competing in the Olympics. So for me to walk away
today with a gold medal is amazing. And the best way to say thanks that I
can think of is to help somebody else, so I'm going to be donating my money.
I'm going to try and talk to the Olympic sponsors, and if there's anyone in
particular in the U.S. or Europe who's going to be reading these articles,
if you'd like, check out Right To Play.
Q1: Your mom and you became
enthralled by speedskating by watching Koss perform in 1994. We were
thinking it was the skating part, but could it be it's his combination of a
person and athlete?
CHEEK: I realized after my last Olympics that there are
so many amazing athletes, and they can do amazing things. I honestly hoped,
and I worked everyday that maybe I could be one of those athletes. But I
wasn't sure if I was. I know that not everyone can win a gold medal, but the
things that he's done for other people has been an absolute inspiration for
me and he lives his life in a manner that I hope to live my life.
It's surreal, honestly. I had coffee with him
a couple days ago, and I'm sitting there looking at Johann Olaf Koss after I
watched him, I guess 11, 12 years ago, win three gold medals in Lillehammer.
Now I have an opportunity to do something similar. It's my hope that I can
assist some people and walk in his large shoes.
Q2: How did you get
interested in this cause?
CHEEK: Even before the Olympics I knew that I was gonna
... right after I won the world sprints. I thought about it for awhile. I
felt, geeze, I might actually have a shot to do something at the Olympics
and if I do, I want to make it meaningful. Because I knew how news cycles
work, I've learned that there's a gold medalist tonight and tomorrow there's
another gold medalist. So I can either take the time and gush about how
wonderful I feel. Or I can use it for something productive.
Right To Play has been around for 10 years. I
was also a little bit afraid, potentially if I had chosen another cause or
whatever. Right To Play has been involved in Olympians. It's athlete driven,
and if I had chosen another cause, it might have taken the legs out of them
a little bit. They've worked very hard, they've raised a lot of money,
opened offices and opened dialogue with governments all over the world,
including the United States government. They've got a great program, and I
believe what they're doing will help, especially with children.
Q3: How did you end up
sitting down with Koss?
CHEEK: I had gone into the Right To Play office to ask
them about their organization, specifically to ask about transparency. The
reason being is that I think there are a lot of organizations where 50 cents
of every dollar goes to the administration, and they're not actually doing
that much good. So I wanted to see firsthand their published materials.
Again, I thought I had the chance to do this
right after the world sprints, so I've been plotting a little bit in my
head.
Q4: Was the big smile on
your face after your first race because of this or because of your race?
CHEEK: We athletes are a superstitious group of people.
I don't know how I skated that fast. I'm grateful that I did and I've always
dreamt that I would skate that fast. I think on some level it is empowering
to think of someone other than yourself. What I do ... I love what I do,
it's a great job. I've seen the entire world and I've met amazing friends.
It's honestly a pretty ridiculous thing. I
mean, I skate around the ice on tights, right? So, if you keep it in
perspective, I've trained my whole life for this. It's not that big a deal.
But because I've skated well, and because I have a few seconds of microphone
time, I have the ability to hopefully raise some awareness. To raise some
money. And hopefully, God willing, to put some kids on a path that I've been
blessed with.
Q5: You're quitting skating
after the Olympics and going to college next year. Have you decided where
you're going?
CHEEK: I for sure decided I'm going to school, I'm not
sure who will let me in. I'm sure someone will. Well, I hope someone will
(laugh). I've applied to a bunch of schools.
Q6: You've talked about
Harvard, is that a possibility?
CHEEK: Well, it turns out those guys won't let me in
(laughs). It's kind of a blow to the confidence, but I've been out of school
for almost 10 years so they were a little concerned that I wouldn't be able
to read a sentence or write my name.
Q7: Apart from Harvard,
where else did you apply. Second, have you considered going on one of the
Right To Play trips?
CHEEK: I applied to several of the Ivy League schools
.. Columbia, ah, well, now they've all slipped my mind so I'm sure they're
not going to let me in (laughter). I also applied to Stanford on the west
coast, Georgetown, NYU, University of North Carolina and Duke. I applied to
a bunch of them. I took the shotgun approach. Like maybe you'll hit one if
you shoot a lot.
I am absolutely planning on going. Actually I
heard today, I went into the Right To Play office and talked to the people
in there. I heard today that the situation in Chad is starting to
destabilize, so as of right now it might not even be safe for aid workers or
NGOs to go in. So it is my hope, as soon as it becomes a little more stable,
that we can go in. I believe in two of the refugee villages they have Right
To Play camps set up and coaches in there who are helping with health
awareness and games and playing. I think there are over 60,000 children in
those camps in all of them combined. I think there are six of them.
If anyone wants to go to Africa in a couple
of months, I'll be happy to take any journalist interested in going. On
their own dime of course, or their papers.
Q8: Was this once called
Olympic Aid?
CHEEK: It was Olympic Aid and at some point in the last few
years they changed their name to Right To Play. But originally it was
Olympic Aid, and it's athlete-driven. I for sure was going to do something
with them regardless. They were going to let me be an athlete ambassador.
We'll petition the state department for continuation of funds and more
programs.
Q9: You're donating your
Operation Gold money from winning a medal, are you also donating the money
you receive from sponsors?
CHEEK: I'm for sure going to donate whatever the USOC gives
me, and I think that's $25,000 now. I've never won a gold medal so I don't
know. As far as other sponsors, I have a few. I don't have that many so I'm
not going to be getting a ton of bonus money anyway. None of us are wealthy,
we're still amateur athletes. I still have four years of school, and if it's
an Ivy League school, what is that, a quarter million bucks these days? So,
I still have to pay for school with whatever I earn from this. But
absolutely, I'm going to ask every one of my sponsors to at least match what
I'm donating from the U.S. Olympic Committee.
Q10: If you medal in the
1000 will you also donate that?
CHEEK: Same thing. If I win any money in the 1000 I'll do
the exact same thing.
Q11: Do you feel you had to
be more prepared for this race, knowing what you were going to do with the
potential winnings?
CHEEK: A little risky, don't you think? I was a little
concerned about it, too. I just wanted to be prepared if the stars aligned
and God blessed me and gave me the races that I got. In fact, I went back
and forth in my head because you have a lot of time in the Village laying in
bed, looking up at the ceiling. I went back and forth many times saying, ' I
don't want to jinx myself. I'm going to give it my best shot, I can help out
no matter what. But if I do well, I want to have the opportunity to do
this.' I was prepared for the best and if the worse had happened, I was
prepared for that as well.
Q12: In your family, do you
have a history of giving? Where does this come from in you?
CHEEK: My mom and dad have always tried to instill in
my brother and me to be good people and to do things to help others and to
try and be productive. Good intentions, we all know what the pathway to that
is. You have to be smart about what you do as well. It's not just charity,
it's trying to do something productive. Like athletics, you set a goal and
you see it through, you try to accomplish it. My mom has always said she's
more proud of what my friends say about me than any athletic accomplishment
that I've ever won. That may change now with the gold medal, but...
Q13: With such a commanding
lead, what exactly were you thinking?
CHEEK: I was just trying to stay relaxed. It's very
dangerous for an athlete to get too easy on themselves. I knew I had a very
big lead,and I knew I only had to skate an okay second race. But I wanted to
make sure I didn't get too soft or too lazy because that's when you make
mistakes. So I was trying to stay relaxed and focused.
Q14: When you met Johann,
how did that measure up to the image you might have had with him in the last
10 years?
CHEEK: Well, I've met so many of my heros. I've met
Eric Heiden. He's the greatest thing that's ever walked ... I've never met
another human like that guy. He's unbelievable at everything he does. To be
able to sit there and talk with (Koss), I just sort of felt ... right. I
couldn't believe it. This last two or three months has been like a dream.
It's so cliche. They say, 'oh I won the Olympics, it sounds like a dream.'
But in the last two months, I almost broke a world record in the 1000, I won
the world championships, I just won the last World Cup I skated, and now won
the 500 meters in the Olympics. You just can't write this stuff (make this
stuff up).
HEERENVEEN, Netherlands —
Joey Cheek of Greensboro
earned the biggest title of his speedskating career Sunday,
winningthe men’s World Sprint Championship three weeks ahead of the Winter
Olympics.
The former inline skater is the first American to win this event since Dan
Jansen in 1988.
Cheek pumped his fists with delight when he won the 500 meters in 35.09
seconds early Sunday. He beat Pekka Koskela of Finland by .15 seconds, and
Yu Fengtong of China took third. Casey FitzRandolph of the United States
finished fourth.
In the closing 1,000 meters, a 10th-place finish was good enough to give
Cheek the title He skated that race in 1 minute 10.17 seconds, half a second
slower than winner Jeremy Wotherspoon of Canada.
Cheek, who started the day second in the points standings behind Russian
Dmitry Dorofeyev, finished with 139.990 points. Dorofeyev had 140.365 in the
overall standings. Jan Bos of the Netherlands finished third.
Cheek took second place in both the 500 and 1,000 on Saturday, the first day
of competition in the cumulative two-day event, putting himself in position
to win Sunday.
“It is a dream come true. I get to be in the same ranks as Eric Heiden,”
Cheek said of the U.S. great who won four sprint titles in the 1970s.
Cheek won a bronze medal in the 1,000 at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, and
he aims to improve upon that performance in Turin. The 26-year-old will
compete in the 500, 1,000 and 1,500 next month in Italy.
Cheek arrived in the Netherlands on Thursday, but showed little effect from
the trans-Atlantic time difference.
“I cannot complain about the jet lag,” he said.
Cheek indicated this may be his last Olympics. He plans to retire at the end
of the season to study economics.
Wotherspoon won the final 1,000 in 1:09.67. Yevgeny Lalenkov of Russia was
second, followed by American Shani Davis, who finished eighth in the overall
standings.
Two months ago, Davis set a world record in the 1,000. His sixth-place
finish in the 1,000 on Saturday was his first loss in the event this World
Cup season.
Davis has been troubled by a sore throat and bad back since failing to make
the U.S. short-track team.
Dorofeyev, who finished fifth in the 500, was injured early in the season
and has climbed back into contention ahead of the Olympics. He won the last
two World Cup 500s and two of the last three 1,000s.
Svetlana Zhurova of Russia, a 34-year-old mother in the midst of a comeback,
won the 500 meters and 1,000 to capture the women’s title. Defending
champion Jennifer Rodriguez of the United States finished seventh in the
1,000.
USA Luge’s Benshoof Medals Again
by Jon Lundin - U.S. Luge Association (518-523-2071)
USA Luge Wins Overall Silver in World Cup Team Competition
KOENIGSSEE, Germany --- American Tony Benshoof (White Bear Lake, Minn.) raced
to this fifth men’s singles luge World Cup medal of the season when he slid to
silver during Saturday’s, Jan. 7, series stop in Koenigssee, Germany.
Benshoof, a 2006 Olympic team nominee, captured his second consecutive second
place finish, and fourth of the season, with a combined time of 1 minute,
36.160 seconds.
read the release here
Rodriguez, Davis Win Gold at
World Cup
MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (November 26, 2005)
– U.S. speedskaters accumulated more medals Saturday at the Essent ISU World
Cup (Sprints).
Six days after setting a new world record in
the men’s 1000 meters, Shani Davis (Chicago, IL) won the
gold medal in the same distance in 1:08.33. Joey Cheek (Greensboro,
NC) slightly missed a chance to step atop the podium with his
fourth place finish in 1:09.35. Home-state skater Casey FitzRandolph
(Verona, WI) finished sixth in 1:09.42 and Derek Parra (San
Bernardino, CA) finished 16 th in 1:10.44.
In the same distance for the ladies,
Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami, FL) won gold in 1:15.50 with hometown
favorite Chris Witty (West Allis, WI) finishing fourth in
1:16.61. Elli Ochowicz (Menlo Park, CA) finished 19 th in
1:19.16.
In the men’s 500 meters, three U.S. skaters
finished in the top 10 with FitzRandolph leading the way
with a fourth place finish in 35.31, Cheek finishing in
fifth (35.32) and Kip Carpenter (Brookfield, WI) finishing
eighth in 35.45. Tucker Fredricks (Janesville, WI) finished
11 th (35.51) and Davis finished in 14 th (35.71).
Rodriguez was the top U.S.
female skater in the 500 meters with a seventh place tied finish in 38.61.
Ochowicz finished 20 th in 39.62.
RESULTS:
Ladies’ 500 meters:
- M. Wang CHN 38.01; 2. S. Yoshii JPN 38.36;
3. B. Wang CHN 38.41; 4. J. Wolf GER 38.42; 5. S. Osuga JPN 38.50; 6. H.
Ren CHN 38.58
Americans: 7. J. Rodriguez
38.61; 20. E. Ochowicz 39.62
Ladies’ 1000 meters:
- J. Rodriguez USA 1:15.50; 2. C. Simionato
ITA 1:16.03; 3. M. Timmer NED 1:16.53; 4. C. Witty USA 1:16.61; 5. S.
Rempel CAN 1:16.86; 6. H. Ren CHN 1:16.98
Americans: 19. E. Ochowicz
1:19.16
Men’s 500 meters:
- K. Lee KOR 35.20; 2. F. Yu CHN 35.24; 3.
J. Wotherspoon CAN 35.27; 4. C. FitzRandolph USA 35.31; 5. J. Cheek USA
35.32; 6. M. Ireland CAN 35.35
Americans: 8. K. Carpenter
35.45; 11. T. Fredricks 35.51; 14. S. Davis 35.71
Men’s 1000 meters:
- S. Davis USA 1:08.33; 2. J. Wotherspoon
CAN 1:08.93; 3. E. Wetten NOR 1:09.23; 4. J. Cheek USA 1:09.35; 5. G. van
Velde NED 1:09.40; 6. C. FitzRandolph USA 1:09.42
Americans: 16. D. Parra
1:10.44
-
U.S. Men Sweep 1000 Meters at
World Cup
MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (November 27, 2005)
– On the final day of the Essent ISU World Cup (Sprints) the U.S. added four
more medals to its ever-growing collection.
In the men’s 1000 meters, the U.S swept the
podium with Shani Davis (Chicago, IL) grabbing the gold,
Joey Cheek (Greensboro, NC) the silver and Casey
FitzRandolph (Verona, WI) the bronze.
Davis, paired with Cheek
for the last heat of the event, sped to his gold medal finish in 1:08.43.
Cheek followed across the finish line in 1:08.68.
FitzRandolph finished in 1:09.11. Derek Parra (San Bernardino,
CA) finished 16 th in 1:10.49.
FitzRandolph clocked a 35.15
finish time in the men’s 500 meters for his first medal of the day, a bronze. He
tied with Korea’s Kang-Seok Lee. Teammate Joey Cheek (Greensboro, NC)
also finished in 35.16, a fifth place finish. Cheek tied for fifth place with
China’s Fengtong Yu. Tucker Fredricks (Janesville, WI) finished
11 th (35.63), Kip Carpenter (Brookfield, WI) 12 th (35.63) and
Shani Davis (Chicago, IL) finished 18 th in 35.86.
Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami, FL)
won a silver medal in the ladies’ 1000 meters in 1:15.68. Teammate Chris
Witty (West Allis, WI) finished fourth in 1:16.59. Elli
Ochowicz (Menlo Park, CA) finished 16 th in 1:18.08.
Ochowicz skated to an 18 th
place finish in the ladies’ 500 meters in 39.16. China’s Manli Wang took home
the gold in 37.83.
-
MARKET
AMERICA TO LAUNCH “CHAMPION
BLEND”
Olympians Jennifer Rodriguez and
KC Boutiette Use Technology to Offer Personal
Blend
GREENSBORO, N.C.
– Market America, a product brokerage and Internet marketing company
specializing in One-to-One Marketing and Mass Customization, today announced
that it will introduce Isotonix® Champion
Blend, the latest addition to its line of Isotonix-brand
dietary supplements. The Champion
blend was designed by speedskaters, Jennifer
Rodriguez and KC Boutiette. The company will officially launch the product at
the Essent ISU Speedskating World Cup competition to be held November 18-20,
2005 at the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns, Utah.
Sponsored by
Market America, Jennifer Rodriguez and KC Boutiette used the company’s new
Isotonix Custom Cocktail technology to design a personal blend of the Isotonix-brand
products they take regularly. The new Isotonix Champion Blend will be a 15-day
supply of six different Isotonix products: OPC-3, ORAC, Vitamin C, Vitamin B-12,
Mineral Blast and MultiTech. The blend provides 23 essential vitamins and
minerals that can help boost performance and overall health.
“We have been taking Isotonix
products for years now,” said Jennifer Rodriguez, 2-time Olympic bronze medalist
and defending World Sprint Champion. “When Market America introduced Isotonix
Custom Cocktail we were finally able to order just one bottle of all the
products we take. Since we compete and train year-round for the Olympics, we can
only take the highest quality supplements. The new Champion Blend is the formula
we take and Market America is making it available to everyone that wants
high-quality supplements that deliver.”
In October 2005, Market America
introduced its latest advance in mass customization technology, Isotonix Custom
Cocktail. The new technology allows customers to design their own custom blend
of up to 10 Isotonix-brand supplements. The web-based ordering system gives
customers the ability to choose what they want in a dietary supplement while
also receiving advice to help provide balanced nutrition. With over 3.6 million
possible combinations, Isotonix joins the ranks of custom computer, clothing and
bicycle makers that use technology to allow customers to design their own
products.
“The new Isotonix Custom
Cocktail is the only supplement brand that allows us to choose what we want to
take,” said KC Boutiette, 3-time Olympian and 2-time World Record holder.
“Normally, we would have to spend the time taking multiple products in separate
bottles. By using Isotonix Custom Cocktail, we can design a product that fits
exactly what we want and need. Isotonix products give us that little bit of edge
we need to compete in a sport that is ruled by hundredths of a second.”
Market America has teamed with
Rodriguez and Boutiette since 2004. The couple is also part of the company’s
over 110,000 independent distributors worldwide. To locate a distributor visit
marketamerica.com or call (800) 862-6561.
ABOUT MARKET AMERICA
Market America’s unique business
model combines the power of the Internet and One-to-One Marketing to sell
innovative products and services through independent distributors around the
world. Founded in 1992, the company has realized more than $1.5 billion in
suggested retail sales. The company now has more than 110,000 independent
distributors worldwide. In 2005, the company opened operations in Taiwan and
plans further expansion into the Pacific Rim. More information is available at
www.marketamerica.com.
-
Adam
Smith Third in Opening
World Cup PSL - LANDGRAAF, Netherlands (Oct. 7) – U.S.
Snowboarding’s Adam Smith (Bend, OR), winner of the historic first indoor World
Cup in 2004, was on the indoor podium again Friday finishing third in the season
opening parallel slalom contest in Landgraaf, Netherlands. On the women’s side,
two Americans – Rosie Fletcher (Girdwood, AK) and Erica Mueller (Chester, VT) –
qualified for finals with Fletcher placing in the top 10. read
it all here
-
Granato
and Team USA Win World Championship
LINKOPING, Sweden (April
9, 2005) -- Team USA Wins First-Ever Gold
Medal At IIHF Women’s World Championship; Scores Three Shootout Goals To Secure
Victory -- The U.S. Women’s National Team won its first-ever gold medal at
the 2005 International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship in
Linkoping, Sweden, after defeating Canada, 1-0, in the final game of the
tournament tonight. The teams skated through 80 scoreless minutes and the
tournament's top goaltender, Chanda Gunn (Huntington Beach, Calif.), turned away
26 shots before the U.S. won the decision by shootout.
read all about it at USAHockey.com
-
Rodriguez
Golden Again - Cheek Just Misses Erfurt,
Germany (Feb. 12, 2005)
--
Jennifer Rodriguez added another gold medal to her ever growing collection
today at the Essent ISU World Cup taking top honors in the 1000 meters.
Weeks ago J-Rod won the World Sprint Championships in Salt Lake City and
carried that momentum into today's event. Countryman Joey Cheek narrowly
missed the podium himself, settling for a fourth place finish in the men's
1000 meter event. For all the results, follow this link
http://events.horses.nl/skating/2004-2005/worldcup/erfurt/
-
World
Allround Championships; All U.S. Men in Top 10
MOSCOW,
Russia (Feb. 6, 2005) --
The U.S. men long track Speedskating
team dominated the ice Sunday in Moscow with Shani Davis (Chicago, Ill.)
taking home top honors.
Davis
and his teammates swept the 1500-meters event, plus one. Davis won the
gold medal in the 1500-meters in 1:46.60. He was followed by three of his
teammates: Chad Hedrick (Spring, Tex.), KC Boutiette (Tacoma, Wash.) and
Derek Parra (Orlando, Fla.). Hedrick won the silver medal in 1:47.50 and
Boutiette took the bronze in 1:48.79. Parra missed a spot on the podium
with his fourth place finish in 1:48.98.
Hedrick
was the top U.S. finisher in the 10,000-meters with a fourth place finish
in 13:22.35. Davis finished fifth in 13:25.51.
Boutiette
finished the 10,000-meters in 13:38.31, giving him a ninth place finish.
Parra finished in 14:00.37 for an 11th place finish.
Davis’s
superb skating led him to be the overall men’s leader with 150.777 points.
Hedrick was second with 150.961 points. Boutiette finished sixth (153.532)
and Parra was tenth (155.390).
On
the ladies’ side, Anni Friesinger (GER) took home the gold in the 1500-meters
in 1:57.35. Maria Lamb (River Falls, Wis.) was the top U.S. finisher with
a 21st place finish in 2:02.82. Kristine Holzer (Boise, Ida.) finished
23rd in 2:04.54.
In
the ladies’ 5000-meters, Friesinger took home another gold in 7:04.61 followed
by teammate Claudia Pechstein, who won the silver in 7:05.08.
RESULTS:
Men’s
1500-meters:
1.
S. Davis USA 1:46.60; 2. C. Hedrick USA 1:47.50; 3. KC Boutiette USA 1:48.79;
4. D. Parra USA 1:48.98; 5. J. Uytdehaage NED 1:49.07; 6. S. Kramer NED
1:49.28
Men’s
10000-meters:
1.
O. Grodum NOR 13:06.79; 2. C. Verheijen NED 13:17.47; 3. S. Kramer NED
13:18.03; 4. C. Hedrick USA 13:22.35; 5. S. Davis USA 13:25.51; 6. J. Uytdehaage
NED 13:26.21
Americans:
9. KC Boutiette 13:38.31; 11. D. Parra 14:00.37
Ladies’
1500-meters:
1.
A. Friesinger GER 1:57.35; 2. I. Wurst NED 1:58.17; 3. C. Klassen CAN 1:58.23;
4. D. Anschutz GER 1:58.59; 6. K. Groves CAN 1:59.04
Americans:
21. M. Lamb 2:02.82; 23. K. Holzer 2:04.54
Ladies’
5000-meters:
1.
A. Friesinger GER 7:04.61; 2. C. Pechstein GER 7:05.08; 3. C. Hughes CAN
7:05.69; 4. D. Anschutz GER 7:08.85; 5. K. Groves CAN 7:11.90; 6. I. Wust
NED 7:11.99
Men’s
Overall:
1.
S. Davis USA 150.777; 2. C. Hedrick USA 150.961; 3. S. Kramer NED 152.244;
4. C. Verheijen NED 152.715; 5. J. Uytdehaage NED 152.793; 6. KC Boutiette
USA 153.532
Americans:
10. D. Parra 155.390
Ladies’
Overall:
1.
A. Friesinger GER 161.557; 2. C. Klassen CAN 163.214; 3. C. Pechstein GER
163.418; 4. D. Anschutz GER 163.719; 5. I. Wust NED 164.047; 6. K. Groves
CAN 165.068
Americans:
23. K. Holzer 128.516; M. Lamb (not classified)
-
Rodriguez
Wins World Sprint Championship Title
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (Jan. 23)
–
U.S. long track speedskater Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.) claimed the
women’s world sprint championship title Sunday after four impressive races
over the weekend.
Rodriguez, overcoming
a month of fatigue-like symptoms sprang back to life over the weekend setting
three new personal best times. “This is the most fun I’ve ever had at a
competition,” Rodriguez said Sunday after taking a victory lap around the
Olympic Oval. “I never have four out of four good races. Usually it’s only
two or three out of four but this weekend was awesome.”
Rodriguez started her day
with a personal best in the 500-meters with a finish time of 37.94, barely
missing the bronze medal that went to Sayuri Yoshii (JPN) who finished
in 37.91. Rodriguez shared her fourth place finish with Sayuri Osuga of
Japan.
Rodriguez was able to take
home a medal, a gold one, in the 1000-meters with a finish time of 1:14.18.
Anzhelika Kotyuga (BLR) took home the silver in 1:14.44, followed by Cindy
Klassen (CAN) who won the bronze medal in 1:14.47. Kotyuga also took home
the silver medal in the overall ladies’ classification. Germany’s Sabine
Volker finished third overall.
On the men’s side, the Netherland’s
Erben Wennemars defended his title as world sprint champion. American Joey
Cheek (Greensboro, N.C.) finished third overall in the men’s classification.
“I’m really quite pleased
with my performance this weekend,” Cheek said. “I had a really strong feeling
all week that something good was going to happen at the competition and
it did.”
Cheek nearly missed medalling
in the men’s 500-meters event with his fourth place finish in 34.70. Russia’s
Dmitry Lobkov and Canada’s Jeremy Wotherspoon tied for the gold in 34.67,
closely followed by Wennemars.
Ladies’ 500-meters:
S. Volker GER 37.89; 2.
T. Okazaki JPN 37.90; 3. S. Yoshii JPN 37.91; 4. J. Rodriguez USA 37.94;
4. S. Osuga JPN 37.94; 6. S. Rempel CAN 38.01.
Americans: 23. E. Ochowicz
38.92; 24. C. Witty 39.00; 26. A. Sanne 39.20
Ladies’ 1000-meters:
J. Rodriguez USA 1:14.18;
2. A. Kotyuga BLR 1:14.44; 3. C. Klassen CAN 1:14.47; 4. M. Gargrecht-Enfeldt
GER 1:14.66; 5. S. Volker GER 1:14.72; 6. C. Simionato ITA 1:14.87
Americans: 13. C. Witty
1:16.09; 19. E. Ochowicz 1:16.89; 22. A. Sannes 1:17.51
Ladies’ Overall:
J. Rodriguez USA 150.015;
2. A. Kotyuga BLR 150.415; 3. S. Volker GER 150.425; 4. S. Yoshii JPN 150.490;
5. C. Simionato ITA 150.670; 6. B. Wang CHN 151.060
Americans: 16. C. Witty
153.570; 21. E. Ochowicz 154.370; 25. A. Sannes 156.120
Men’s 500-meters:
D. Lobkov RUS 34.67; 1.
J. Wotherspoon CAN 34.67; 3. E. Wennemars NED 34.68; 4. J. Cheek USA 34.70;
5. H. Shimizu JPN 34.82; 6. J. Kato JPN 34.89
Americans: 10. C. FitzRandolph
35.11; 17. S. Davis 35.43; 29. K. Carpenter 36.25
Men’s 1000-meters:
E. Wennemars NED 1:07.46;
2. S. Davis USA 1:07.67; 3. J. Bos NED 1:07.92; 4. J. Cheek USA 1:08.20;
5. C. FitzRandolph USA 1:08.50; 5. M. Kobayashi JPN 1:08.50
Men’s Overall:
e. Wennemars NED 137.310;
2. J. Wotherspoon CAN 137.820; 3. J. Cheek USA 137.975; 4. M. Kobayashi
JPN 138.050; 5. D. Lobkov RUS 138.100; 6. J. Bos NED 138.470
Americans: 7. S. Davis 138.715;
8. C. FitzRandolph 138.770; 18. K. Carpenter 140.270
-
Cheek
Brings Home the Gold at World Cup Calgary, CANADA (Jan. 15)
– On the final day
of the Essent ISU World Cup Speedskating competition at the Olympic Oval
in Calgary, American Joey Cheek brought home the gold in the men’s 500-meters
event.
Cheek (Greensboro, N.C.)
claimed his first World Cup victory this season with a 34.81 finish time.
Yuya Oikawa (JPN) and teammate Joji Kato completed the podium lineup with
finish times of 34.83 and 34.89, respectively.
Casey FitzRandolph (Verona,
Wis.), coming off a silver medal finish Friday in the 1000-meters, finished
fifth in 35.01.
Cheek was the top American
finisher in the 1000-meters coming in eighth with a 1:08.87 finish time.
The event belonged to Erben Wennemars (NED) who won in 1:08.26.
On the ladies’ side, Tomomi
Okazaki won the gold in the 500-meters with a finish time of 37.73. This
is the first time in this World Cup circuit where Manli Wang (CHN) did
not take home the gold.
Chiara Simionato (ITA) won
the 1000-meters in 1:14.89, maintaining a significant lead over silver
medallist Anzhelika Koyuga (BLR) who finished in 1:15.12.
Chris Witty (West Allis,
Wis.) was the top American finisher with an eighth place finish.
Ladies’ 500-meters:
OKAZAKI JPN 37.73; 2.WATANABE
JPN 37.87; 3.KOTYUGA BLR 37.95; 4.WANG CHN 38.00; 5. YOSHII JPN 38.01;
6.WOLF GER 38.09
Americans: 17. OCHOWICZ
39.02; 18. WITTY 39.21
Ladies’ 1000-meters:
1. SIMIONATO ITA 1:14.89;
2. KOTYUGA BLR 1:15.12; 3. TIMMER NED 1:15.16; 4. VÖLKER GER
1:15.58; 5. REMPEL CAN 1:15.94; 6. YOSHII JPN 1:16.02
Americans: 8. WITTY 1:16.71;
15. OCHOWICZ 1:17.94
Men’s 500-meters:
1. CHEEK USA 34.81; 2. OIKAWA
JPN 34.83; .3. KATO JPN 34.89; 4.WOTHERSPOON CAN 34.97; 5. FITZRANDOLPH
USA 35.01; 6. LOBKOV RUS 35.04
Americans: 15. FREDRICKS
35.42; 17. CARPENTER USA 35.58
Men’s 1000-meters:
1. WENNEMARS NED 1:08.26;
2. KOBAYASHI JPN 1:08.63; 2. van VELDE NED 1:08.63; 4. BOS NED 1:08.67;
5. KOSKELA FIN 1:08.76; 6. NIJENHUIS NED 1:08.81
Americans: 8.CHEEK 1:08.87;
11. FITZRANDOLPH 1:09.26; 16. CARPENTER 1:10.53; 18.PEARSON 1:11.09
-
Niccum
Celebrates New Year with Nations Cup Silver Medal
Oberhof, Germany
(Jan. 1, 2005) - US Luge slider
Christian Niccum started 2005 just as he left off in 2004 - on the medals
podium. By the time his family and friends back home in Woodinville, OR
were awakening from their New Year's Eve celebrations Niccum had already
pocketed the Nation's Cup silver medal and solidified a spot in the weekend's
World Cup event - his second silver medal of the season.
"This
is one of the most difficult racks on the circuit, so any time you stand
on the podium when most of the crowd's first language is German you know
it's a good day (a reference to the Germans' dominance in the sport of
luge). Things are really starting to come together on the sled and
I'm looking forward to competing in the World Cup."
The
following day Niccum slid to an eighth place finish in the World Cup event
thereby qualifying him to compete in the World Championships of luge to
be held in Salt Lake City, Utah in February. Niccum is a former
4-time Junior World Champion.
"Getting
the World Championships qualification under my belt is something I've been
looking forward to. It slipped away from us in Calgary (Canada -
previous World Cup) so I'm glad to have gotten right back on the sled and
get that taken care of. Now we're looking forward to keeping things
moving forward and making our way to the medals podium."
###
-
J-Rod
and Cheek take 'US National Champion' Titles
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Dec. 22)
–
The U.S. Long Track Speedskating Championships came to an end Wednesday
with a total of three new Pettit National Ice Center records and a roster
of skaters attending the upcoming World Championships and World Cups.
On the ladies’ side,
Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.) won the gold medal in
the 500-meters with a finish time of 39.03. Hometown favorites Chris Witty
(West Allis, Wis.) and Elli Ochowicz (Waukesha, Wis.) won the silver and
bronze, respectively. Rodriguez and Witty duplicated their respective
gold and silver medals in the 1000-meters and Amy Sannes (St. Paul, Minn.)
took home the bronze medal.
“I'm happy with my 500 but
not so much with my 1000-meters,” Rodriguez said. “I tried to change my
starting strategy in the 1000 meters by starting off slow and then going
all out because my legs are a bit tired. But I quickly realized that it
wasn’t going to work - I need to go all out for the entire race.”
On the men’s side, Shani
Davis (Chicago, Ill.) ruled the Pettit Center with another track record.
After Saturday’s 1500-meters record, Davis set a new record in the 1000-meters
with a gold medal finish in 1:10.10. Monday’s 1000-meters winner,
Nick Pearson (Vernon, Wis.) finished second in 1:10.65 followed by
Joey
Cheek (Greensboro, N.C.) finishing in 1:10.85.
Tucker Fredricks (Janesville,
Wis.) set a new track record in the 500-meters with a gold medal finish
time of 35.59. Fredricks broke Hiroyasu Shimizu’s (Japan) 1998 record.
“It doesn’t seem real. I’m
still driving my white Protégé,” Fredricks joked in reference
to Shimizu’s white Ferrari.
Cheek won the silver medal
in the 500-meters with a finish time of 35.69 followed by hometown favorite
Kip Carpenter (Brookfield, Wis.) who finished in 35.97.
In the overall sprints standings,
Rodriguez topped the charts with 155.754 points, followed by Witty (158.245)
and Sannes (159.965). Cheek took the overall win on the men’s side with
142.300 points, followed by Davis (142.660) and Carpenter (143.920).
Ladies’ results:
500-meters:
1. J. Rodriguez 39.03; 2.
C. Witty 39.69; 3. E. Ochowicz 39.93; 4. A. Sannes 39.97; 5. E. Rodansky
(Kearns, Utah) 40.77; 6. E. Porter (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) 41.32
1000-meters:
1. J. Rodriguez 1:18.24;
2. C. Witty 1:19.94; 3. A. Sannes 1:20.14; 4. E. Rodansky 1:21.06; 5. E.
Ochowicz 1:21.08; 6. C. Raney (Elm Grove, Wis.) 1:21.29
Overall Standings (Sprints):
1. J. Rodriguez 155.745
points; 2. C. Witty 158.245; 3. A. Sannes 159.965; 4. E. Ochowicz 160.885;
5. E. Rodansky 162.335; 6. C. Raney 164.910
Men’s Results:
500-meters:
1. T. Fredricks 35.59; 2.
J. Cheek 35.69; 3. K. Carpenter 35.97; 4. S. Davis 36.12; 5. M. Pelchat
(Chelmsford, Mass.) 36.44; 6. C. Needham (Belmont, Mass.) 36.45
1000-meters:
1. S. Davis 1:10.10; 2.
N. Pearson 1:10.65; 3. J. Cheek 1:10.85; 4. D. Parra (Orlando, Fla.) 1:11.14;
5. K. Carpenter 1:11.63; 6. T. Fredricks 1:12.21.2004
Overall Standings (Sprints):
1. J. Cheek 142.300 points;
2. S. Davis 142.660; 3. K. Carpenter 143.920; 4. T. Fredricks 144.125;
5. N. Pearson 144.305; 6. D. Parra 144.885
####
Niccum
Pulls off the 'Double/Double' at North American Championships
Thursday, December
16, 2004
Salt
Lake City, UT - U.S. Slider Christian Niccum completed a rare two-medal
performance on the same day as the US Luge Team dominated the 2004-05 North
American Championships. Niccum, a former Jr. World Champion, is one
of few athlete in the sports history to compete internationally in both
the singles and doubles divisions. Tony 'The Laser' Benshoof bested
Niccum for the gold medal in the singles competition, while the two-time
Olympic medal winning duo of Mark Grimmette and Brian Martin edged Niccum
and teammate Patrick Quinn for the win in the doubles division. The
pair of silver medals left Niccum in rare company of athletes who have
reached the podium in both disciplines.
"Many
people believe that in order to succeed in luge an athlete has to specialize
in either singles or doubles," said Niccum. "For me, I find that
there are elements of both disciplines that help my performance in the
other. It takes some getting used to, especially on a day like today
when I'm competing in both, but I actually find it to be an advantage.
It's gives me twice as many chances to stand on the podium."
The
US Luge teal will break for the holidays before returning to Oberhof, Germany
where World Cup competition resumes over New Year's weekend.
-
Schuffenhauer
and Crew Win Gold, Gold and Silver in World Cup Four-man Bobsled - USOC
Team of the Month
Wednesday, December
15, 2004
Lake
Placid, NY – The United States Men’s Bobsled Team has been honored by the
United States Olympic Committee (USOC) as the recipient of the Team of
the Month for November 2004. Making up the award winning team were:
2002 Olympic Silver Medalists’ Todd Hays (Del Rio, TX) and Bill Schuffenhauer
(Salt Lake City, UT); 2002 Olympian Steve Mesler (Buffalo, NY) and Pavle
Jovanovic
(Tom’s River, NJ).
The
U.S. Men’s Bobsled Team captured a surprising first-place finish in the
first four-man bobsled World Cup race of the season at Winterberg, Germany
on a track usually dominated by the Germans. 2002 Olympic silver medalists’
Todd Hays (Del Rio, Texas) and Bill
Schuffenhauer, Steve Mesler
and Pavle Jovanovic had runs of 54.84 and 54.72 for a combined time of
1:49.56. The
.01-second
victory over the Russian four-man team was one of the closest races in
recent years.
Also
winning awards for the month of November were track and field’s Missy Buttry
and skiing’s Bode Miler as its November Athletes of the Month.
Placing
second in the women’s vote was skeleton’s Noelle Pikus-Pace (Orem, Utah),
who shocked the skeleton world when she claimed the gold medal in the first
World Cup race of the year in Winterberg, Germany. Pikus-Pace won the race
by .37 seconds after a combined time of 1:58:83. Her best finish coming
into this season was 11th place in Calgary, Canada, and Lake Placid, N.Y.,
last
season. She was ranked 14th in the world last season and is now the top-ranked
women’s skeleton athlete in the world.
Finishing
third on the men’s ballot was bobsled’s Todd Hays, who on a track dominated
by the Germans drove his team to the gold medal in the first World Cup
four-man race of the year in Winterberg, Germany. Hays won by .01 seconds
over the second-place Russian team.
Results
(first place votes in parentheses)
WOMEN
1.
Missy Buttry 31 (7)
2.
Noelle Pikus-Pace 28 (4)
3.
Hyo-Jung Kim 27 (6)
Also
receiving first place votes: Ali Bernard (wrestling)
MEN
1.
Bode Miller 37 (9)
2.
Brad Vering 19 (1)
3.
Todd Hays 17 (3)
Also
receiving first place votes: Andrew Adkison (water skiing), Meb
Keflezighi
(track and field), Apolo Anton Ohno (speedskating), Johnny Weir
(figure
skating)
TEAM
1.
U.S. Men’s Bobsled Team 49 (14)
2.
U.S. Women’s Speedskating Team 28 (2)
3.
U.S. Men’s Bowling Team 12 (0)
Sunday, December
12, 2004
Igls,
Austria – The United States men’s bobsled team had a memorable day in the
four-man race in Igls, Austria. The American team saw the four-man team
led by 2002 Olympic Silver Medalists’ Todd Hays (Del Rio, TX),
Bill
Schuffenhauer (Salt Lake City,
UT), 2002 Olympian Steve Mesler (Buffalo, NY) and Pavle Jovanovic (Tom’s
River, NJ) win the silver medal while the team of Steve Holcomb (Park City,
UT) with a crew of Brock Kreitzburg (Akron, OH), Ben Fogel (Nevada City,
CA) and Curt Tomasevicz (Omaha, NE) tied for fourth place, the highest
finish ever in a World Cup event for Holcomb.
The
Russian team of Alexandre Zoubkov, Alexei Seliverstov, Sergei Golubev and
Dmitry Stepuschkin claimed their first ever World Cup gold medal after
putting down the two fastest runs in each heat of the competition. The
Russians had a first run of 50.94, a new track record, and a second run
of 51.18 for a combined time of 1:42.12. Taking the silver, .26 seconds
behind Zoubkov was the team of Todd Hays, Bill Schuffenhauer, Steve Mesler
and Pavle Jovanovic. Hays and his crew had won the last two 4-man World
Cup races using a new Bo-Dyn sled and were in a position to make it three
in a row but the Russians proved to be just to tough. For the past two
weeks Hays and his team had been trailing Zoubkov after the first run and
were able to overcome the deficit to take the gold. This time Hays was
trailing after the first run once again after a run of 51.06 but could
not catch Zoubkov after a second run of 51.32 for a combined time of 1:42.38.
Hays and his crew also had pushes of 5.01 and 4.98 in the race
The
bronze would go to the German team of 2002 Olympic 4-Man Champion, Andre
Lange with Rene Hoppe, Thomas Poege and Martin Putze. Lange and his crew
had runs of 51.13 and 51.42 for a combined time of 1:42.55.
Rounding
out the top six were: Mathias Hoepgner with Marc Kuehne, Andreas Barucha
and Stefan Barucha from Germany tied with the American team of Steve Holcomb
with Brock Kreitzburg, Ben Fogel and Curt Tomasevicz with a time 1:42.71.
The Germans had runs of 51.17 and 51.54 while the Americans had runs of
51.20 and 51.51. Finishing sixth from Canada was Pierre Lueders with Giulio
Zardo, Ken Kotyk and Lascelles Brown with a time of 1:42.80 (51.24, 51.56).
The
team of Steve Holcomb, Brock Kreitzburg, Ben Fogel and Curt Tomasevicz
had their best finish ever in a World Cup event after putting together
two solid runs in a tough field. Holcomb was also using a new Bo-Dyn sled
like Hays and it paid off with a top four finish. The Americans had a 5.12
push on run one with a time of 51.20 and run two would see a 5.10 push
and a time of 51.51 for a combined time of 1:42.71.
Sunday, December
5, 2004
Altenberg,
Germany – For the second week in a row the Americans shocked the bobsled
world by claiming a gold medal in the four-man competition on a German
track. Just like last week the American teams struggled in the two-man
competition with the top sled finishing in eighth. The American four-man
team led by 2002 United States Olympic Silver Medalists’ Todd Hays
(Del
Rio, TX), Bill Schuffenhauer
(Salt Lake City, UT), 2002 Olympian Steve Mesler (Buffalo, NY) and Pavle
Jovanovic (Tom’s River, NJ) not only won the gold medal but also remained
undefeated in the four-man competition. The last time the United
States won two consecutive gold medals in the four-man competition on the
German tracks was over twelve years ago when 2002 Olympic Bronze Medalist
Brian Shimer (Naples, FL) completed the feat during the 1992-1993 season.
Todd
Hays and his crew used the new Bo-Dyn sled that they won with last week
to claim the victory, by .21 seconds over Alexandre Zoubkov of Russia.
Just like last week Hays and his team came from behind for the victory.
This time the team was four hundredths of a second behind Zoubkov after
having a first run of 54.31 after a push of 5.12. Run two would see
a push of 5.14
and
a down time of 54.89, the fastest of run two. The Americans finished
with a combined time of 1:49.20.
Taking
the silver was the Russian team of Alexandre Zoubkov with Alexei Seliverstov,
Sergei Golubev and Dmitry Stepuschkin. The Russians had a first run
of 54.27, good enough for first place after run one. For the second
week in a row Zoubkov was in line for his first ever World Cup victory
but the Americans would make sure he would have to wait a least one more
week. Run two would see a time of 55.14 for a combined time of 1:49.41.
The bronze would go to the German team of 2002 Olympic 4-Man Champion,
Andre Lange with Rene Hoppe, Kevin Kuske and Martin Putze. Lange
and his crew had runs of 54.32 and 55.20 for a combined time of 1:49.52.
Rounding
out the top six were: Germany 2 in fourth driven by Mathias Hoepgner with
Marc Kuehne, Andreas Barucha and Stefan Barucha with a time 1:49.54 (54.50,
55.04); in fifth from Austria, the team of Wolfgang Stampfer, Klaus Seelos,
Andreas Proller and Jurgen Mayer with a time of 1:49.62 (54.32, 55.30)
and in sixth, Canada 1 driven by Pierre Lueders with Giulio Zardo, Ken
Kotyk and Brown with a time of 1:49.63 (54.44, 55.19).
Sunday, November
28, 2004
Winterberg,
Germany – What a difference a day makes. After finishing eleventh
in the 2-man competition. The American 4-man team led by 2002 United States
Olympic Silver Medalists’ Todd Hays (Del Rio, TX),
BillSchuffenhauer
(Salt Lake City, Utah), 2002 Olympian Steve Mesler (Buffalo, NY) and Pavle
Jovanovic (Toms River, NJ) claimed the gold medal in one of the closest
races in bobsled racing in years, with only .05 seconds separating the
top four sleds.
Todd
Hays and his crew used an untested new Bo-Dyn sled and stunned the field
after coming from fourth place after run one to narrowly take the gold,
by .01 seconds over Russian Alexandre Zoubkov. Hays was ten hundredths
of a second behind Zoubkov after having a first run of 54.84 after a push
of 4.89. Run two would see an identical push of 4.89 and a down time
of 54.72, the fastest of run two. The Americans finished with a down
time of 1:49.56.
Taking
the silver was the Russian team of Alexandre Zoubkov with Alexei Seliverstov,
Sergei Golubev and Dmitry Stepuschkin. The Russians had a first run
of 54.74, good enough for first place after run one. Zoubkov was
in line for his first ever World Cup victory but during the start Zoubkov
was bumped by a teammate loading the sled; enough force to cause the sled
to
drift
momentarily, giving Hays the gold and the Russians the silver.
The
bronze would go to Martin Annen, Andi Gees, Beat Hefti and Cedric Grand
of Switzerland. The Swiss would miss the gold by .02 seconds after
identical runs of 54.79 for a combined time of 1:49.58.
Rounding
out the top six were: Canada 1 and Germany 1 tied for fourth, Canada 1
was driven by Pierre Lueders with Giulio Zardo, Ken Kotyk and Brown with
a time of 1:49.61 (54.90, 54.71); Germany 1 was driven by 2002 Olympic4-Man
Champion, with Rene Hoppe, Kevin Kuske and Martin Putze with a time of
1:49.61 (54.77, 54.84); and in sixth, Latvia 1 driven by Janis Minins with
Juris
Lattiss, Ainars Podnieks and Janis Ozols with a time of 1:49.87 (55.06,
54.81).
-
Rodriguez
Awarded USAToday.com's Athlete of the Week
From
Nov. 16, 2004 USATODAY.com: Rodriguez Turns Weekly Award into Annual
By Beau Dure,
One of the most consistent U.S. winter
sports stars returned to action this weekend with a victory.
Jennifer Rodriguez won two speedskating
medals in the 2002 Olympics and contended for two overall World Cup titles
last winter, winning the season series at 1,000 meters and placing second
at 1,500 meters. In this season's World Cup opener in Hamar, Norway, Rodriguez
edged past former world champion Cindy Klassen of Canada by 0.33 seconds
to win the 1,500 meters.
Rodriguez also finished eighth in 3,000
meters, the only other individual event over the weekend, and joined Maria
Lamb and Catherine Raney to finish second in the new team pursuit event.
For her efforts, Rodriguez is USATODAY.com's
U.S. Olympic Athlete of the Week for the second time, joining swimmer Ian
Crocker and the beach volleyball duo of Misty May and Kerri Walsh as the
only two-time winners. Rodriguez won the very first Athlete of the Week
one year ago.
Also in Norway, KC Boutiette, Chad Hedrick
and Derek Parra won the men's team pursuit, setting an unofficial world
record in the new event. Hedrick finished fourth in the 1,500 meters, where
Parra placed sixth and Joey Cheek was 10th. The U.S. placed two in the
top 10 in the 5,000: Hedrick (seventh) and Boutiette (ninth).
##
Rodriguez
Goes the Distance HAMAR, Norway (Nov. 14) - The American
long track speedskaters happily concluded their racing at the Essent ISU
World Cup in Norway on Sunday as Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.) skated
to a first place finish in the women’ 1500-meters in the Division A race
and Chris Witty (West Allis, Wis.) finished first in the Division B event.
Rodriguez finished with a time of 1:57.02.
Catherine Raney (Elm Grove, Wis.) finished 16th with a time of 2:00.51.
In the women’s Division B 1500-meters event, Witty won with a 1:59.40 time.
The USA also placed 4th and 5th in the event with Maria Lamb (River Falls,
Wis.) and Sarah Elliott (Oconomowoc, Wis.) finishing 2:01.59 and 2:01.68,
respectively.
“"I was so happy with that race,” Rodriguez
said of her performance in the 1500-meters. “My legs felt good, my technique
felt good, I didn't even worry when I saw other girls put up some very
fast times before I got my chance to go. I just thought, 'well, I guess
I gotta go.' And I did!"
In the women’s team pursuit, Canada took
the overall lead with USA only a hair away in second place. Team USA finished
in 3:05.69 to Canada’s 3:05.49. The USA team was skated by Rodriguez, Raney
and Lamb.
“"That was fun... and a lot easier than
I expected,” Rodriguez said of her team’s second place finish. “We made
a
little mistake; our last lead-change we should have made earlier in the
race, but other than that it could not have gone smoother."
Tom Cushman, the U.S. Speedskating long
track national coach was happy with the women’s performance Sunday.
"Jen (Rodriguez) skated strong, even faster
than last year when she won this 1500 competition. And she nailed
her goals for the race - a smooth, fast opener and really aggressive with
800 meters to go,” Cushman said. “Moreover she proved to herself that she
can skate after everyone else has raced and have the last outer turn (which
always seems so long when you are tired at the end of the race) and still
win... she proved a lot to herself in that race."
"The Women's Team Pursuit went amazingly
well,” Cushman stated. “They were conservative in their speed to keep everyone
together, and they were cautious on the lead-changes so as to make no major
errors. And that paid off; now we know we can push the pace even
more next week and maybe take over the new world record."
-
2004
Women's Four Nations Cup November 14, 2004
Team USA Claims Four Nations Cup Silver
Medal; Fall to Canada, 2-1 in Gold Medal Game Sunday
LAKE PLACID, N.Y. -- In a second tight
battle between the teams in the Four Nations Cup, the U.S. Women’s Select
team fell to Canada, 2-1 in the gold medal game on Sunday. The Canadians
took a 1-0 lead with an early power play goal and never trailed.
With the U.S. trailing, 1-0, and on the
man advantage, Natalie Darwitz (Eagan, Minn.) capitalized by flipping a
backhanded shot past Canadian goalie Charline Labonte. Kelly Stephens (Seattle,
Wash.) earned the assist on the goal as time expired in the second session.
The score was the sixth in two days for the line of Stephens-Darwitz-Krissy
Wendell (Brooklyn Park, Minn.).
The teams skated through a scoreless second
period before Canada pulled ahead just two minutes into the final session.
Team USA would threaten with several scoring chances in the game including
a second period shot off the crossbar by Katie King (Salem, N.H.)
and a six-on-four advantage with an empty net as time expired in
the third. Team USA outshot Canada 38-27, but was unable to put the equalizer
past Player of the Game, Labonte, who finished with 36 saves in the game.
U.S. goalie Pam Dreyer (Eagle River, Alaska)
stopped 22-of-24 shots in the loss.
The silver medal is fifth at this event
for the U.S. team. The U.S. entered the tournament as defending champions
after earning its second gold medal in the event last year.
Earlier today, Sweden claimed the bronze
medal with a 4-2 win over Finland.
Canada 1 0
1 -- 2
USA
1 0 0 --
1
First Period -- Scoring: 1, CAN, Hefford
(Pounder), 7:56 (pp). 2, USA, Darwitz (Stephens), 19:54 (pp). Penalties:
Kingsbury, CAN (body check), King, USA (interference), 6:36; Dupuis, CAN
(holding the stick), 8:53, Goyette, CAN (roughing) 11:40, Engstrom, USA
(holding) 12:06; MacLeod, CAN (tripping) 14:12; Apps, CAN (interference)
19:43.
Second Period -- Scoring: None. Penalties:
Granato, USA (interference) 0:34; Apps, CAN (tripping) 4:20; Dunn, USA
(slashing) 6:36; Dupuis, CAN (interference)
9:43; Apps, CAN (bodychecking) 17:16;
Vaillancourt, CAN (roughing) 17:36; Darwitz, USA (roughing) 17:36; Pounder,
CAN (bodychecking) 19:59.
Third Period -- Scoring: 3, CAN, Antal
(Goyette) 2:20. Penalties: Bonhomme, CAN (holding) 5:56; Dunn, USA (tripping)
8:15; Wickenheiser, CAN (body checking)
9:00; Sunohara, CAN (roughing) 9:14; Stephens,
USA (roughing) 9:14; Apps, CAN (interference) 18:49; Sunohara, CAN
(roughing) 20:00; Darwitz, USA (high-sticking), 20:00.
Shots: CAN: 9-10-8--27. USA: 10-17-11--38.
Goaltenders: CAN, Labonte, (38 shots, 37
saves). USA, Dreyer, (25 shots, 23 saves), USA, Gunn (17:20, 3rd period-1
shot, 1 save).
-
USA
Sets World Record at Essent ISU Long Track World Cup HAMAR,
Norway (Nov. 13) — Even though it’s the first time the team pursuit event
has been officially recorded, the USA men’s long track speedskating team
had the honor Saturday of setting the standard for which all other team
pursuit competitions will be compared.
The team pursuit will be introduced as
an Olympic sport in Torino in 2006. In the men’s event, it is an eight-lap
race with two teams of three skaters starting on opposite sides of the
track. The finishing time is taken from the back leg of the third place
skater when he crosses the line. The women’s team pursuit is a six-lap
race.
The USA men’s team consisted of Chad Hedrick
(Spring, Tex.), KC Boutiette (Tacoma, Wash.) and Derek Parra (Orlando,
Fla.), who won the event last year on the international circuit. Their
finish time, as well as the first world record was 3 minutes 48.56
seconds. They were followed by Italy with a finish time of 3:51.20 and
Poland, 3:52.30.
“(The race) was even smoother than any
time we raced last year,” Parra said of his team’s performance Saturday.
“We saw the Italian team’s time and they wert out hard and I wondered if
we could match or beat it. But it was great how easy those fast lap times
came for us.”
“That went just as we planned,” Boutiette
said. “I’m glad with how we skated. I think we can still go a lot faster.”
U.S. Speedskating long track coach Tom
Cushman was happy with the men’s race. “I think we showed that the U.S.
is here to compete for the gold medal,” Cushman said.
In other events on Saturday, the Canadian
women dominated the 3000-meters event. In Division A, Kristina Groves won
with a finish time of 4:06.77, followed by Canadian teammate Clara Hughes
at 4:07.06. Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.) finished eighth with a 4:11.02
finish time. Catherine Raney (Elm Grove, Wis.) finished 12th in 4:13.34.
In Division B for the women’s 3000-meters
event, Canadian Cindy Klassen won with a 4:07.28 time. Maria Lamb (River
Falls, Wis.) took fourth place with a 4:14.04 finish time. Nancy Swider-Pelz,
Jr. (Wheaton, Ill.) took 21st place in 4:24.24.
The men’s 1500-meters event belonged to
the Dutch with a sweep in the Division A category. Mark Tuitert, Erben
Wennemars and Beorn Nijenhuis finished 1:46.88, 1:47.17 and 1:47.46, respectively.
The Americans, however, finished closely at their heels with Hedricks finished
fourth in 1:48.09, followed by Parra and Joey Cheek (Greensboro, N.C.)
and Clay Mull (Gastonia, N.C.) sixth, 10th and 14th place, respectively.
Russia’s Andrey Burlyayev finished first
in the Division B event in 1:49.13 with Chris Callis (Sudlersville, Md.)
finishing 11th.
The women’s team pursuit will take place
Sunday along with men’s 5000-meters and women’s 1500-meters events.
Saturday:
Men’s Team Pursuit:
1. USA 3:48.56; 2. Italy 3:51.20; 3. Poland
3:52.30; 4. Japan 3:53.07; 5. Russia 3:53.45; 6. Canada 3:54.24
Men’s 1500-meters Division A
1. M. Tuitert (NED) 1:46.88; 2. E. Wennemars
(NED) 1:47.17; 3. B. NIJENHUIS (NED) 1:47.46; 4. C. HEDRICK (USA) 1:48.09
Americans: 6. D. Parra 1:48.26; 10. J.
Cheek 1:49.04; 14. C. Mull 1:50.49
Men’s 1500-meters Division B
A. Burlyayev (RUS) 1:49.13; 2. R. Stordal
(NOR) 1:49.17; 3. C. Breuer (GER) 1:49.21; 4. T. Ushiyama (JPN) 1:49.40
Americans: 11. C.Callis 1:50.22
Women’s 3000-meters Division A
K. Groves (CAN) 4:06.77; 2. C. Hughes (CAN)
4:07.06; 3. G. Smit (NED) 4:07.92; 4. R. Groenewold (NED) 4:07.98
Americans: 8. J. Rodriguez 4:11.02; 12.
C. Raney 4:13.34
Women’s 3000-meters Division B
C. Klassen (CAN) 4:07.28; 2. M. Sablikova
(CZE) 4:13.57; 3. F. Wang (CHN) 4:13.85; 4. M. Lamb (USA) 4:14.85
Americans: 21. N. Swider-Pelz, Jr. 4:24.24
-
Q
Sports 2006 Olympic Preview - October, 2004 --"Who's
Who at Q Sports - 2006 Olympic Preview" is now available.
With the Athens Games now behind us, America’s winter Olympians will be
next to proudly represent the USA when the Olympic Games return to Torino,
Italy, in February of 2006. Q Sports is proud to present this collection
of champion athletes who have collectively earned a remarkable sixteen
Olympic medals – twelve from Salt Lake City. They are an ethnically
diverse group, from an array of winter sports, who will proudly carry on
America’s tradition of Olympic excellence. Each athlete is already considered
a medal contender in 2006. To obtain a copy, email us here:
qsports@yahoo.com.
-
Olympic
Champion Granato Weds NHL Hero Ferraro -
September 4, 2004 - Vancouver, BC -- Olympic gold and silver medalist Cammi
Ganato and 18-year NHL veteran/ESPN commentator Ray Ferrao were married
near their home in Vancouver, BC among family and friends. Read
the latest on Cammi Granato here.
-
Parra's
Autobiography 'Reflections in the Ice' Takes Top Honors at Benjamin Franklin
Book Awards
Chicago, IL, June 2, 2004
– Although he's no stranger to world class competition Olympic Gold Medalist
Derek Parra was in unfamiliar territory last night in the literary world
of the 2004 Benjamin Franklin Book Awards. Nevertheless, by evening's end
he had made a name for himself amidst a ballroom full of hundreds of book
industry professionals, authors and publishers. Parra's autobiography
'Reflections in the Ice - Inside the Heart and Mind of an Olympic Champion'
took home top honors as winner of both the year's best 'Biography/Memoir'
and 'Outstanding Cover Design'.
"It's difficult for me to
describe how honored I am by these awards. I tried to write this
book from the heart, keeping my fingers crossed that people would enjoy
it, but to be recognized among all of these outstanding authors and industry
leaders is beyond anything I had ever dreamed. If only my high school English
teacher could see me now...!'
About the Benjamin Franklin
Awards:
Named in honor of America's
most cherished publisher and printer, the Benjamin Franklin Award is considered
one of the book industry's most prestigious honors. Sponsored by
the Publishers Marketing Association, each year thousands of books are
submitted for the awards, recognizing excellence in publishing and marketing
in 54 categories. A shortlist of over 150 books are selected by a panel
of over 100 judges active in all phases of the book publishing industry.
Finally they select the best of the best, naming three category finalists.
Winners were announced at a gala awards dinner ceremony last night at Chicago's
downtown Marriott Hotel, coinciding with the start of the industry's top
trade show and convention, Book Expo America.
About the Book:
‘Reflections in the Ice’
is a look inside the heart and mind of a man who had no business succeeding
where he did. From the Mexican barrio in Southern California, around the
world, through the aisles of Home Depot to the top step of the Olympic
podium, Derek Parra struggled for seventeen years to become the first Latino
ever to bring home Winter Olympic Gold. Through ‘Reflections in the
Ice’ he delivers a collection of emotional, soul bearing life lessons on
poverty and Olympic glory, the 9/11 tragedy, new born life, fatherhood
and more. Parra pours forth a gamut of emotions and delivers a story
of unusual depth and insight well beyond the typical sport biography.
Online book orders: http://www.derekparra.com
-
Niccum
Joins Q Sports - May, 2004 - Four-time
Junior World Champion luge athlete Christian Niccum is the lastest Q Sports
athlete acquisition. Read all about
Christian here.
-
Parra
Authors 'Reflections in the Ice'- Olympic
Champion Derek Parra has completed his autobiography...read all about it
at www.DEREKPARRA.com
-
Elliott,
Callis and Boutiette
Win at North American/Oceania Regional Qualifier
CALGARY, Canada, January 17, 2004 - Sarah
Elliott (Oconomowoc, Wis.), Chris Callis (Sudlersville, Md.) and KC Boutiette
(Tacoma, Wash.) were all winners on the opening day of the North America/Oceania
Regional Qualifier on Saturday at the Calgary Olympic Oval. The event serves
as a qualifier for the World Allround Championships.
Callis led four U.S. skaters atop the men's
500-meter standings with a time of 36.34. Shani Davis (Chicago, Ill.) was
second in 36.44, Boutiette placed third in 36.50, and Derek Parra (San
Bernardino, Calif.) took fourth in 36.86.
Other American finishers in the men's 500-meters
were Chad Hedrick (Magnolia, Texas) in sixth with a time of 37.61, and
Clay Mull (Gastonia, N.C.) in 10th with a clocking of 37.61.
Boutiette won the men's 5000-meters with
a time of 6 minutes 32.48 seconds. Davis (6:34.58) was third, Hedrick (6:34.63)
was fourth, Parra (6:39.91) placed sixth, Callis (6:47.49) finished eighth,
and Mull (6:54.60) took 11th place.
U.S. skaters occupy the top five spots
in the men's standings, led by Boutiette in first place with 75.748 points.
Davis (75.898) is second, Hedrick (76.643) is third, Parra (76.851) stands
in fourth and Callis (77.089) is fifth. Mull (79.070) is currently 11th.
Sunday's competition will include the men's
and ladies' 1500-meters, the ladies' 5000-meters and the
men's 10,000-meters.
-
Rodriguez
Claims Second 1000-Meter Silver Medal, Earns Overall Bronze at World
Sprint Championships
NAGANO, Japan, January 18, 2004 - Jennifer
Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.) won her second silver medal in the 1000-meters
at the World Sprint Speed Skating Championships on Sunday and claimed
the overall bronze medal in the ladies' final standings. It was her first
overall World Championship medal of her career.
Rodriguez, who started the day in fourth
place overall, finished 15th in the 500-meters with a time of 39.46 seconds.
She then skated a time of 1 minute 16.98 seconds in the 1000-meters to
place second and move past China's Manli Wang into third place in the overall
standings with 155.950 points.
"My 500 was off again today, but I finally
skated the 1000 the way I wanted," said Rodriguez. "I thought I was going
to finish fourth overall so I'm very excited
with the overall bronze medal."
U.S. Coach Ryan Shimabukuro cited Rodriguez'
heart to be the key to her success this weekend.
"Jen's determination won her the overall
bronze today," Shimabukuro said. "She refused to give up and skated her
best race of the weekend. She should be
very proud of her first overall World
Championship medal."
Wang won the ladies' 500-meters with a
time of 38.67. Elli Ochowicz (Waukesha, Wis.) was 17th in 39.57, Amy Sannes
(St. Paul, Minn.) finished 28th in 40.71, and
Julie Glass (Olympia, Wash.) placed 29th
in 40.87.
The ladies' 1000-meters was won by Germany's
Anni Friesinger in 1:16.56. Ochowicz was 11th in 1:18.52, followed by Glass
(1:20.54) in 23rd and Sannes
(1:22.77) in 28th place.
The overall ladies' Sprint Champion was
Marianne Timmer of the Netherlands with 155.255 points. Ochowicz (158.500)
was 16th overall, Glass (162.580)
finished 27th and Sannes (163.160) was
29th.
-
Rodriguez,
Ohno Named U.S. Speedskating's 2003 Athletes
of the Year
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO., January 13, 2004
– U.S.Speedskating has named Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami,Fla.) and Apolo
Anton Ohno (Seattle, Wash.) as its Athletes of the Year for 2003.
Rodriguez reached the award podium 19 times
at international competitions in 2003, compiling 11 gold, four silver and
four bronze medals. She was the World Allround Champion in the 500-meters,
won a silver medal and a bronze medal at the World Single Distance Championships,
and finished the 2002-03 World Cup season ranked third in the 1500-meter
standings. At the end of the 2003 calendar year, Rodriguez was ranked
first in the World Cup standings for both the 1000- and 1500-meter events.
She set a track record
at the Calgary Olympic Oval during the
World Cup event held Dec. 6-7, with a time of 1 minute 14.50 seconds, and
won both the 1500- and 3000-meter races at the U.S. Single Distance Championships
in October.
Ohno won his second career World Cup title
in February, earning 196 points out of a possible 200 during the season.
He had a hand in 12 of the 13 short track medals won by the U.S. during
the 2003 calendar year, winning 10 individual medals (3 gold, 3 silver
and 4 bronze), and two relay medals (one silver and one bronze).
Ohno won his fifth U.S. National Short Track Championship in March in Bay
City, Mich., and set American records in all four distances during 2003:
500-meters (Oct. 11), 1000-meters (Oct. 26),
1500-meters (Oct. 24), and 3000-meters
(Dec. 7). In February, he was named a finalist for the Amateur Athletic
Union's James E. Sullivan Memorial Award which recognizes the top amateur
athlete in the nation.
Rodriguez and Ohno are now eligible for
the United States Olympic Committee's 2003 Athletes of the Year Awards.
-
U.S.
Olympic Committee Honors Rodriguez For Second Straight Month
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO., January 15, 2004
– The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) today named two-time Olympic speedskater
Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.) and skier
Daron Rahlves as the December Athletes
of the Month. The USOC Team of the Month honor was awarded to the USA Men’s
Bobsled Team.
Rodriguez, the November Female Athlete
of the Month, continued to burn up the World Cup circuit by winning three
straight 1000-meter events in December. She began by setting a track record
at the Calgary Olympic Oval on Dec. 6, winning 1000-meter gold with a time
of 1:14.50 and finishing nearly a full second ahead of the second-place
finisher. She won her second straight 1000-meter gold the following day.
On Dec. 12 at the Salt Lake City World Cup, Rodriguez made it three consecutive
1000-meter gold medals. She also placed fifth that day in the 500-meter
in 38.17 seconds, which was one one-hundredth off her own national record.
She placed fifth again the following day in the second 500-meter event.
Rodriguez currently tops the World Cup standings in both the 1000- and
1500-meter events.
The award marks the third month in a row
in which a speedskater has been honored by the USOC. Apolo Anton
Ohno (Seattle, Wash.) was the Male Athlete of the Month for October.
It is only the third time a sport has won the award three or more consecutive
months, and the first time since 2000.
Results (first place votes in parentheses):
WOMEN
1. Jennifer Rodriguez 45 (9)
2. Laura Reback 25 (4)
3. Lora Webster 16 (2)
Also receiving first place votes: Shannon
Bahrke (Skiing), Theresa Cliff (Roller Sports), Gabrielle Domanic (Water
Polo), Kristie Marano (Wrestling) and Lea Ann Parsley (Skeleton).
MEN
1. Daron Rahlves 37 (7)
2. Tony Benshoof 28 (4)
3. Rulon Gardner 19 (4)
Also receiving first place votes: Todd
Hays (Bobsled), Joey Mantia (Roller Sports), Apolo Anton Ohno (Speedskating)
and Chris Seilkop (Sitting Volleyball).
TEAM
1. Men’s Bobsled Team 46 (9)
2. Women’s Water Polo Team 33 (8)
3. Mark Grimmette and Brian Martin 26
(2)
Also receiving first place votes: Women’s
Sitting Volleyball Team.
###
-
-
Rodriguez
Wins Third Straight 1000-Meter World Cup Race
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, December
12, 2003 - The hot streak continued for Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.)
on Friday as she posted her third consecutive 1000-meter World Cup victory
with a personal best time of 1 minute 14.06 seconds. The win was her fifth
gold medal of the season and sixth overall.
Rodriguez' time was almost
a full second ahead of second-place finisher Chiara Simionato of Italy,
who crossed the line in 1:15.05.
"I'm really happy," said
Rodriguez. "It's been awhile since I skated this well. I'm just having
a good time and feeling no pressure.
The previous personal best
for Rodriguez was 1:14.24 set at the 2002 Olympic Games.
"My opener was the fastest
I've ever had," Rodriguez continued. "My corners were good but the straightaways
need some work. But that's good because I have room to improve."
Elli Ochowicz (Waukesha,
Wis.) also skated a personal best in the ladies' Division A 1000-meters
and finished fifth in 1:16.08. Her previous best was 1:16.41. Amy Sannes
(St. Paul, Minn.) placed 19th in 1:19.13.
Rodriguez also skated a very
strong 500-meters on Friday, placing fifth and coming within one one-hundreth
of a second of tying her own national record with a time of 38.17 seconds.
Ochowicz also had a fine showing, setting her second personal best of the
night with a time of 38.65 to better her old mark of 38.78. She finished
in
15th place.
Japan's Shihomi Shinya won
the ladies' Division A 500-meters in 37.88.
U.S. National Coach Tom Cushman
was pleased with the way Rodriguez skated her races.
"Jen had just a super 500-meters,"
said Cushman. "I thought going into the 1000-meters that she could have
a great race. She opened with one of her best openers ever then just sat
back, skated the race and used her great turn technique."
"It's been a great Fall World
Cup season for Jen," Cushman added. "Now I'm looking forward to getting
back to some consistent training so we can really come out even stronger
in February and March."
The U.S. men enjoyed two
top 10 finishes in both the Division A 500-meters and the Division A 1000-meters.
Kip Carpenter (Brookfield, Wis.) placed ninth and Casey FitzRandolph (Verona,
Wis.) was 10th in the 500-meters. Carpenter skated a time of 35.05 and
FitzRandolph was close behind in 35.06.
Canada's Jeremy Wotherspoon
posted the winning 500-meter time of 34.49.
In the 1000-meters, Chris
Callis (Sudlersville, Md.) finished ninth with a personal best of 1:08.78
(his previous best was 1:08.83) and Carpenter placed 10th in 1:08.84. Derek
Parra (San Bernardino, Calif.) was 14th in 1:09.23 and FitzRandolph placed
16th in 1:09.31. Erben Wennemars led a Netherlands' sweep in the 1000-meters
with a time of 1:07.63.
In the ladies' Division B
500-meters, Chris Witty (West Allis, Wis.) placed second with a time of
38.86, behind Japan's Aki Tonoike's time of 38.79. Sannes placed 11th in
39.82 and Julie Glass (Olympia, Wash.) was 14th with a personal best time
of 40.21. Glass also set a personal best in the Division B 1000-meters
with her time of 1:19.27 which was good enough for ninth place. China's
Xin Zhao posted the top time of 1:17.46.
Tucker Fredricks (Janesville,
Wis.) was the top U.S. skater in the men's Division B 500-meters, tying
for ninth placed with a time of 35.96. Nick Pearson (Vernon, Wis.) and
Parra tied for 12th place with identical times of 36.04. Alexander Oltrop
of The Netherlands won the Division B 500-meters in 35.21.
Pearson was the lone U.S.
skater in the men's Division B 1000-meters where he placed 17th with a
time of 1:11.38. Japan's Masaaki Kobayashi was first in 1:09.65.
Action resumes Saturday with
the ladies' and men's 100- and 500-meters, as well as the demonstration
relay races for both ladies and men.
Complete Results:
http://www.scg-nl.nl/events/speedskating/2003-2004/worldcup/saltlakecity/
###
-
Rodriguez
Named USOC Female Athlete of the Month for November
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.,
December 12, 2003 – The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) today named two-time
Olympic speedskater Jennifer Rodriguez and USA Luge's Tony Benshoof as
the November Athletes of the Month. The USOC Team of the Month honor was
awarded to USA Hockey's Women's Select Team.
Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.) kicked
off the World Cup season in style by winning five medals and skating to
the lead in the 1500m World Cup standings. At the season-opening event
in Hamar, Norway, Nov. 8-9, Rodriguez won her first gold medal in the 1500m
distance, defeating favorite Anni Friesinger of Germany. The following
weekend, in Erfurt, Germany,
Rodriguez again won 1500m
gold, as well as gold in the 500m race, en route to the all-around competition
title. She ended the month with a bronze medal in the 1500m at the World
Cup event in Heerenveen, Netherlands, Nov. 21-23, and maintains her lead
at that distance in the World Cup standings after three of five events.
In his eighth season on the
senior international luge circuit, Benshoof (White Bear Lake, Minn.) is
enjoying his best career start. In November, he claimed two medals, his
first international title and a track record. In Altenburg, Germany, Nov.
23-25, Benshoof raced to his first-ever victory when he captured a gold
medal in the Challenge Cup. Two days later, he captured his second career
World Cup medal, a bronze. His Cup win was also the first U.S. men's single
victory on the 1220m long track, and in winning the bronze, Benshoof shattered
the previous track record by almost four-tenths of a second.
The U.S. Women's Select Ice
Hockey Team earned four wins and the gold medal at the 2003 Four Nations
Cup in Skovde, Sweden, Nov. 5-9. Team USA opened the tournament with an
8-0 victory over Finland and went on to blank Canada, 2-0. The U.S. then
defeated host Sweden, 5-1, before facing Canada in the gold-medal game
that was tied at the end of regulation play. Team USA's Cammi Granato (Downers
Grove, Ill.) scored in a shootout for the win. This marked only the second
time the U.S. has captured the gold at the Cup and the third time that
the U.S. has defeated Canada in a gold-medal situation. U.S. goaltenders
Sara DeCosta-Hayes (Warwick, R.I.) and Pam Dreyer (Eagle River, Ark.) combined
to earn a 0.49 goals-against average and .977 save percentage, allowing
only two goals in 101 shots. The U.S. scored 17 goals on 18 assists for
35 points in four games. Other team
members included back-up
goalie Chanda Gunn (Huntington Beach, Calif.), defensemen Jamie Hagerman
(Wenham, Mass.), Gen Richardson (Monroe, Conn.), Angela Ruggiero (Harper
Woods, Mich.), Julianne Vasichek (Great Falls, Mont.), Lyndsay Wall (Churchville,
N.Y.), Kelly Weiland (Palmer, Alaska) and forwards Julie Chu (Fairfield,
Conn.), Natalie
Darwitz (Edina, Minn.),
Tricia Dunn (Derry, N.H.), Kim Insalaco (Rochester, N.Y.), Kathleen Kauth
(Saratoga Springs, N.Y.), Katie King (Salem, N.H.), Kristen King (Piqua,
Ohio), Shelly Looney (Brownstown Twp., Mich.), Jenny Potter (Eagan, Minn.),
Kelly Stevens (Seattle, Wash.) and Krissy Wendell (Brooklyn Park, Minn.).
Head coach for the Women's Select Team was Ben Smith (Gloucester, Mass.).
In addition to sharing success
with the Team of the Month, Dreyer was runner-up among the female candidates
for the Athlete of the Month award. Dreyer recorded two victories against
Canada and led the 2003 U.S. Women's Select Team (4-0-0) to its second-ever
gold medal at the Four Nations Cup in Skovde. She earned a .986 save percentage
and recorded a 0.48 goals-against average, allowing only one goal in 72
shots. In the gold-medal game versus Canada, Dreyer stopped 36 of 37 shots
through regulation as well as
all 11 shootout goal attempts
by Team Canada to back-stop the U.S. to a gold medal, Dreyer's first of
her career.
Third in the voting among
the women was freestyle wrestler Toccara Montgomery (Cleveland, Ohio).
Competing for Cumberland College, Montgomery went undefeated during November
in four women's freestyle wrestling competitions in Canada. Montgomery,
a two-time World silver medalist, won the gold medal at 80kg on Nov. 1
at the McMaster Varsity Championships in Hamilton, Ontario, where she defeated
former Canadian World Team member Pam Wilson, leading Cumberland to second
place in the team race. At the
Ontario Cup in Toronto,
Cumberland won the team title as Montgomery claimed the 80kg division uncontested.
Montgomery was also undefeated in the Women's Championship Cup of Wrestling
in Thunder Bay, Ontario, on Nov. 15 and the Brock Invitational in St. Catherine's
on Nov. 30. In the two events, Montgomery had a 7-0 individual record plus
two forfeit wins. She scored four pins and two technical falls, plus earned
a 6-3 decision over Wilson. Montgomery is currently the No. 1 wrestler
in her weight class in the North
American Women's College
rankings.
###
-
It's
Deja Vu as Rodriguez Wins 1000-Meter World Cup Event on Second Straight
Day
CALGARY, Canada, December
7, 2003 - Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.) made it a clean sweep of the
weekend's 1000-meter World Cup events by winning Sunday's race
at the Olympic Oval.
Rodriguez won Sunday's 1000-meters
with a time of 1 minute 15.28 seconds. On Saturday, she won with
a track record time of 1:14.50. Anzhelika Kotyuga of Belarus was second
in Sunday's race with a time of 1:15.90.
Chris Witty (West Allis,
Wis.) had her second consecutive fifth-place finish in the 1000-meters
on Sunday with a time of 1:16.54. Elli Ochowicz (Waukesha, Wis.)
gave the U.S. three top-10 finishers by placing ninth in 1:17.40.
Amy Sannes (St. Paul, Minn.) nearly made it four U.S. skaters in the top
10. Sannes finished tied for 11th position with a time of
1:17.69.
In the ladies' 500-meter
competition, Ochowicz was the top American with a time of 39.30 seconds,
which placed her 21st. Witty finished 22nd with a time of 39.34,
while Sannes posted a time of 40.07 to finish 28th.
China's Manli Wang won the
race with a time of 38.00. Chris Callis (Sudlersville, Md.) was the top
U.S. men's skater on Sunday, finishing seventh in the 1000-meters with
a time of 1:09.32. Erben Wennemars of The Netherlands won with a
clocking of 1:07.93.
Other U.S. skaters in the
1000-meters were Kip Carpenter (Brookfield, Wis.) in 11th with a time of
1:09.48, Casey FitzRandolph (Verona, Wis.) in 12th with a time of 1:09.52,
Derek Parra (San Bernardino, Calif.) in 20th with a clocking of 1:10.29,
and Nick Pearson (Vernon, Wis.) in 25th with a time of 1:10.71. FitzRandolph
was the top American in the men's
500-meters with a time of
35.20 to place ninth. Carpenter (35.41) tied for 15th, Tucker Fredricks
(Janesville, Wis.) was 27th in 35.78, Pearson (36.24) finished 34th and
Parra (36.43) was 39th.
Canada's Jeremy Wotherspoon
won the race with a time of 34.78.
The next sprint World Cup
will take place next weekend, Dec. 12-13, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Complete Results:
http://www.scg-nl.nl/events/speedskating/2003-2004/worldcup/calgary/index.html
###
-
Rodriguez
Sets Track Record To Win 1000-Meter World Cup Event in Calgary
CALGARY, Canada, December
6, 2003 - Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.) topped a field of 35 skaters
and set a track record in the process to claim the gold medal in the ladies'
1000-meter World Cup event Saturday at the Olympic Oval. It is the
fourth World Cup medal she has won this season.
Rodriguez skated a time of
1 minute 14.50 seconds to win the event, finishing nearly a full second
ahead of Italy's Chiara Simionato who placed second in 1:15.48.
"I really didn't know what
to expect today," said Rodriguez. "Mentally, I wasn't real up for
the weekend since I've already had so many World Cup weekends to get up
for. So I just went out and tried to do what I know what works for
me. I focused on getting the skating right instead of the outcome.
I think the reason my racing has been going so well is
that my turns are just really
strong right now."
U.S. National Coach Tom Cushman
was also very pleased with Rodriguez' record-setting performance.
"The key for Jen really seems
to be just getting the skating right," Cushman said. "We don't
even talk about results or lap times or the other competitors in the race,
just on what she needs to do right to skate well. And it works.
She got the track record for the 1000 up here in Calgary today and that's
a huge accomplishment. This is one of the fastest tracks in the world,
right up there with Salt Lake."
Chris Witty (West Allis,
Wis.) also skated strongly, finishing fifth in a time of 1:16.07.
Other U.S. finishers in the 1000-meters were Elli Ochowicz (Waukesha, Wis.)
in 15th with a time of 1:17.90, and Amy Sannes (St. Paul, Minn.) in 16th
with a time of 1:17.93.
In the ladies' 500-meters,
Rodriguez was again the top American skater, placing 10th with a time of
38.58 seconds. Japan's Shihomi Shinya won the race in 38.07. Ochowicz
(38.82) placed 14th, followed by Witty (39.09) in 19th and Sannes (39.39)
in 24th.
"I was very pleased with
the skaters today," said U.S. National Coach Ryan Shimabukuro. "This
was a strong start to the season. Jen skated a great 1000-meters
and seems to be getting better each time she steps onto the ice.
Chris Witty also skated a strong 1000-meters and is starting to develop
her race speed again after track cycling all summer and then getting on
the ice in late September. Elli has had her best World Cup start
ever and will get better as each race goes gone. Amy skated her fastest
times of the year in both the 500 and 1000 and is poised to move up in
the rankings tomorrow."
In the men's 500-meters,
Casey FitzRandolph (Verona, Wis.) was the top American, tying for seventh
place with a time of 35.04. Kip Carpenter (Brookfield, Wis.) was
ninth in 35.10, followed by Tucker Fredricks (Janesville, Wis.) in 22nd
with a personal best time of 35.55, Nick Pearson (Vernon, Wis.) in 37th
with a time of 36.25, and Derek Parra (San Bernardino, Calif.) in 43rd
with a time of 36.70.
Canada's Jeremy Wotherspoon
won the event with a time of 34.37.
Complete Results:
http://www.scg-nl.nl/events/speedskating/2003-2004/worldcup/calgary/
###
-
Meet
Four Time Olympian / Double Medal Winner Chris Thorpe at
the Denver 'City Slide' - December 5-6, 2003. Follow
this link for more details.
-
Speedskater Rodriguez
takes USATODAY.com weekly honor - Posted
11/18/2003 12:00 PM
Jennifer Rodriguez is 2-for-2
at 1,500 meters in this season's World Cup competition.
By Christian Seeling, AP
It's also been a good week
for J-Rod. Jennifer Rodriguez took overall honors at a four-race speedskating
event in Erfurt, Germany, and won her second straight World Cup 1,500-meter
race.
For her efforts, Rodriguez
(the speedskater, not the shortstop) is USATODAY.com's inaugural U.S. Olympic
Athlete of the Week.
The double medalist in the
2002 Olympics won three of the four races over the weekend, sweeping the
500 and 1,500 meters on Saturday and completing her hat trick in Sunday's
1,000 meters. She placed fifth in the 3,000 meters. The two longer races
also were World Cup events.
-
Rodriguez Wins World
Cup Allround Competition; U.S. Men Win Team Pursuit
ERFURT, Germany, November
16, 2003 - Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.) won this weekend's ladies'
World Cup allround competition while the U.S. men's squad was victorious
in Sunday's team pursuit.
Rodriguez captured the ladies'
competition with 158.939 points. On Sunday, Rodriguez won the 1000-meter
event and finished fifth in the
3000-meters. She skated
a time of 1 minute 17.22 seconds to win the 1000-meters, and posted a time
of 4:11.24 in the 3000-meters. Germany's Anni Friesinger won the
3000-meters with a time of 4:06.33.
During the two-day competition,
Rodriguez reached the podium three times. She won both the 500- and 1500-meters
on Saturday.
Rodriguez cited her start
as the key to the 1000-meter victory.
"I got just the opener I
wanted and that first lap came so easily," said Rodriguez of the 1000-meter
race. "My start is getting a lot more solid than it used to be and
I think that is making a big difference. My goal for the race was
to get a good opener and then skate some good, relaxed laps. But
when I got into the race I just didn't want to hold back. Once it
got rolling, I kept it rolling."
Rodriguez was also pleased
with her fifth-place finish in the 3000-meters.
"That was a really good race
for me," Rodriguez said. "I went into it tired with a lot of skating
in my legs, but I skated a very steady race and I thought I paced myself
just about right. I might not have been on the podium in that race
today but I proved to myself I can compete with the best in the world in
that distance."
Catherine Raney (Elm Grove,
Wis.) finished ninth in Sunday's 3000-meters with a time of 4:13.31.
In the men's 1500-meters
on Sunday, the U.S. earned two top-10 finishes. Derek Parra (San
Bernardino, Calif.) placed fifth with a time of 1 minute 49.05 seconds,
and Chad Hedrick (Magnolia, Texas) was ninth in 1:49.38. Chris Callis
(Sudlersville, Md.) placed
11th with a time of 1:49.49.
World Cup action resumes
next Saturday in Heerenveen,
Netherlands.
Complete Results:
http://www.scg-nl.nl/events/speedskating/2003-2004/worldcup/erfurt/
###
-
Rodriguez already
has her skates pointed toward Italy and 2006
- The Associated Press State & Local Wire
November 8, 2003, Saturday,
BC cycle
By TIM REYNOLDS, AP Sports
Writer
A half-second faster here,
a second quicker there, and Jennifer Rodriguez would be sitting on a beach
right now.
She won two bronze medals
at the 2002 Winter Games in Utah, completing an improbable transformation
from inline skating champion to medalist on Olympic ice. But the thought
of making the flag-draped backdrop of Salt Lake City her final competitive
stage didn't even tempt the Miami native, who's more motivated by gold
today than ever.
"If I would have won the
gold medal, I would have been done," Rodriguez said. "Even if I had skated
a great race, I may have been done. But I wasn't happy with one of my races.
They were good enough, but I wasn't happy with them. That's why I'm still
skating. I can't retire on that note."
So on Saturday, she opened
another World Cup season with her U.S. teammates in Hamar, Norway, making
the first long, cold strides toward the 2006 Games in Italy - an Olympics
which, to Rodriguez, seemed too far away to think much about last year.
Now, Turin is her top priority.
"Coming off an Olympics,
last year was difficult," Rodriguez said. "Last year was incredibly difficult.
Motivation levels had plummeted. This year, I'm ready to go again. This
is the year everything starts to build, the year everyone starts thinking
Olympics."
Her season got off to a great
start Saturday. Rodriguez posted the fastest time in the 3,000 meters Saturday
in the World Cup opener, being held at the oval built for the 1994 Lillehammer
Olympics.
Rodriguez is easily the best
skater on the American World Cup roster, which also includes another two-time
Olympian in Catherine Raney, Sarah Elliott, Kristine Holzer and 17-year-old
promising distance specialist Maria Lamb.
Rodriguez often trains with
the American men's team - which includes her husband, KC Boutiette - but
is still a role model for the women's side, and it's not simply because
of past Olympic success, said U.S. coach Tom Cushman.
"She's just so wonderful
to have on the team because she shows up when she's supposed to, she knows
what's she supposed to do, she asks for direction, she listens," Cushman
said. "When the other athletes see her doing that and being successful,
it makes my job easier."
The 27-year-old Rodriguez,
who is of Cuban descent, was mentioned among gold-medal favorites in Salt
Lake City, especially in her perceived specialty - the 1,000-meter distance.
Her plans to be the one standing atop the podium and hear the Star-Spangled
Banner lasted only a couple of seconds, however.
Ice is slippery, something
that even speedskaters tend to forget occasionally. And Rodriguez slipped
during her start of the 1,000, costing her valuable time that is impossible
to make up in such a short race. She settled for bronze; fellow American
Chris Witty took the gold.
Four days later, another
bronze in the 1,500 soothed some of the sting from the disappointing 1,000.
Yet even now, when she takes the medals out of her closet and gives them
a look, the memories of an unfulfilled dream come flooding back.
"Once I've reached my goals,
it's so hard to keep inspired and stay inspired," Rodriguez said. "Some
people can do that and I admire them to the utmost. But to me, the bronzes
I have are motivation. I don't want another bronze medal. I want a gold
medal."
There's still a part of her
that has trouble believing how far she's come. In her hometown, ice goes
in the drinks, winter clothes are something that your up-north relatives
complain about and people break out wool sweaters on those rare occasions
when the mercury plummets below 65.
Her skating career started
on wheels, both as a racer and figure skater - and there has probably never
been anyone better in both disciplines. She's the only person to win medals
on roller skates in both speedskating and figure skating. Ice never figured
into her thinking.
Then she met Boutiette, another
former inline-turned-ice guy. So she moved from sultry Miami to snowy Milwaukee,
armed with only a sweat shirt and pair of tights to serve as her warm clothing.
She wore his warmest clothes to survive the cold; he taught her nuances
of the ice.
Eighteen months later, she
was competing in Nagano - and almost medaled in the 3,000, placing fourth.
She and Boutiette have been inseparable since.
"They enhance one another,"
Cushman said. "There are times they train together, watch tapes together,
times when he pulls her around the ice to build speed. They
work well together in a
lot of ways."
She said this will be the
final Olympic go-round for them both. There are plans for a family one
day, maybe a return to college, possibly moving back to Miami full-time
to work on Rodriguez's dream - building an ice rink so others can follow
along her path.
Concrete decisions will have
to wait a couple more years, though. Everything now is focused on Turin
and one last shot at gold.
"There's still so much I
can improve on. That gives me hope and inspiration," she said. "And if
there's a day I don't want to work out, I think of the bronze medal. I
think of my 1,000-meter race and I think that I can't let that happen again."
-
U.S.
Women's Select Team Earns Gold Medal With Shootout Win Over Canada In Four
Nations Cup; Repeat Of 1997: Granato’s
Shootout Goal Clinches Second-ever U.S. Gold
In Event History
November 9, 2003 SKÖVDE,
Sweden -- With the score still tied following an overtime period, Cammi
Granato (Downers Grove, Ill.) scored the game winner in a shootout to lift
the 2003 United States Women's Select Team over rival Canada, 2-1, in the
gold-medal game of the 2003 Four Nations Cup here this evening. The victory
earned Team USA’s first championship at the event since winning the gold
medal in1997, when Granato coincidentally also scored the game winner in
a shootout.
After 60 minutes of regulation
play, the two teams went to a four-on-four five-minute overtime period.
The game remained tied, 1-1, through the overtime leading to a sudden-death
shootout, in which each team registered 11 shots before U.S. captain Granato
deked right and slipped the puck past Canada’s goaltender Charline Labonte.
The win marks the second time that the U.S. has ever defeated Canada in
a shootout, and the sixth shootout situation overall in the series.
Canada notched the first
goal of the game at 14:01 on a shot from Caroline Ouellette. Forward Jayna
Hefford sent a pass from behind the net to Ouellette, who slid the puck
under U.S. goaltender Pam Dreyer (Eagle River, Alaska) to make the first-period
score 1-0.
The U.S. converted on its
second power-play opportunity of the second stanza when Granato put the
puck past Labonte from the left doorstep to make the score 1-1. Forwards
Jenny Potter (Eagan, Minn.) and Krissy Wendell (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) got
the helpers on Granato’s game-tying tally. Canada’s best opportunity in
the second period came on a Hefford shot that hit the crossbar and dropped
to the goal line, where Dreyer protected the net by lying on the puck.
After three periods of regulation
play and a four-on-four five-minute overtime, the score remained despite
Canada outshooting the U.S. 37 to 28. Seven different players for Team
Canada, and six different players for Team USA, made attempts in the sudden-death
shootout, including defenseman Angela Ruggiero (Harper Woods, Mich.) and
forwards Potter, Wendell, Julie Chu (Fairfield, Conn.), Natalie Darwitz
(Edina, Minn.) and Granato. On her third attempt Granato was able to put
the puck past Labonte to notch the gold-medal game winner.
"It feels really good," said
Granato. "We have only won this tournament once, in 1997, so it is an amazing
feeling, I’m just going to savor it."
"The play of Dreyer in the
five-minute overtime was extraordinary," said U.S. Head Coach Ben Smith
(Gloucester, Mass.). "The goaltending in the shootout was spectacular for
both sides. Women’s international ice hockey was played at its finest tonight."
Dreyer registered her second
win of the tournament and the first gold medal of her career, stopping
27 shots in the game and all 11 of the shootout goal attempts. Ruggiero
and Danielle Goyette were named Players of the Game for the U.S. and Canada,
respectively, and U.S. forward Wendell was named the best player of the
tournament.
Earlier in the day, Finland
upset host Sweden, 3-2 in the bronze-medal game, for the second consecutive
year.
* * *
CAN 1 0 0 0
0 -- 1
USA 0 1 0 0
1 -- 2
First Period -- Scoring:
1, CAN, Ouellette (Hefford), 14:01. Penalties: Insalaco, USA (hooking),
15:44; Hagerman, USA (interference), 18:44.
Second Period -- Scoring:
1, USA, Granato (Potter, Wendell). Penalties: Hefford, CAN (hooking), 7:37;
Vaillancourt, CAN (high sticking), 11:16; Stephens, USA (cross-checking),
15:18.
Third Period -- Scoring:
None. Penalties: Dupuis, CAN (roughing), 7:41.
Overtime -- Scoring: None.
Penalties: None.
Shootout -- Scoring: 1, USA,
Granato (unassisted), 11th round.
Shots: CAN 13-12-8-4--37.
USA 9-7-10-1--28.
Goaltenders: CAN, Labonte
(28 shots, 27 saves). USA, Dreyer (37 shots, saves).
-
Speedskating
- World Cup #1 - Hamar Norway
-
Rodriguez Wins First-Ever
World Cup Gold Medal in
1500-meters
HAMAR, Norway, November 9,
2003 - In the first
1500-meter race of the World
Cup season, Jennifer
Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.)
won her first-ever World Cup
gold medal at that distance.
Rodriguez' time of 1
minute 57.57 seconds easily
beat heavy favorite Anni
Friesinger of Germany who
finished second in 1:58.14.
It marked the third medal
for the U.S. at the two-day
season-opening long track
speedskating World Cup
event. On Saturday, Derek
Parra (San Bernardino,
Calif.) picked up a bronze
medal in the men's
1500-meters, and the U.S.
men's team won the gold
medal in the team pursuit.
Rodriguez, who has won World
Cup gold in the
1000-meters, was elated
with her first-ever 1500-meter
victory.
"I was really happy with
my first 1500-meter gold in a
World Cup," said Rodriguez.
"I went out and tried to
skate my race my way and
it worked."
Rodriguez, who earned bronze
medals in the 1000- and
1500-meters at the 2002
Olympic Winter Games, was wary
of German star Claudia Pechstein
who was skating in
the same pairing.
"I was afraid Claudia was
going to come back at me in
the last turn, but I just
kept skating the way that
works for me and I finished
strong. I'm happy."
Pechstein finished fifth
overall in 2:00.36.
Catherine Raney (Elm Grove,
Wis.) finished 16th with a
time of 2:02.27, Maria Lamb
(River Falls, Wis.) was
22nd with a time of 2:03.03,
Sarah Elliott
(Oconomowoc, Wis.) placed
32nd with a time of 2:05.01,
and Kristine Holzer (Boise,
Idaho) finished 42nd with
a time of 2:08.65.
In men's action, KC Boutiette
(Tacoma, Wash.) won the
Division B 5000-meters in
a time of 6 minutes 30.23
seconds. Boutiette was skating
in Division B because
he did not compete in enough
races at that distance in
last year's World Cups to
earn a spot in Division A.
But his victory on Sunday
will put him back in
Division A amongst the world's
elite skaters.
"It was a very solid race
and an extremely solid
weekend," Boutiette said.
In the men's Division A 5000-meters,
Chad Hedrick
(Magnolia, Texas) skated
to a fifth-place finish with
a time of 6:26.74.
The Netherlands' Bob de Jong
won the race in 6:19.94.
U.S. Speedskating National
Coach Tom Cushman was
pleased with the team's
overall performance at the
season-opening World Cup.
"We had some great finishes
that really stand out,
like Derek's bronze and
Jen's gold and the gold in the
men's pursuit," said Cushman.
"But I am also pleased
by the depth of the performances.
For instance, in the
men's 5000-meters, all five
of our guys skated times
that put them among the
top 25 of the times skated
today. That's serious progress
from years gone by. I'm
pleased because I know we
are still developing and the
best is yet to come."
World Cup action resumes
this Saturday in Erfurt,
Germany.
Sunday's Results
Complete Results at:
http://www.scg-nl.nl/events/speedskating/2003-2004/worldcup/hamar/
Ladies' 1500-meters - 1,
Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami,
Fla., 1 minute 57.57 seconds.
2, Anni Friesinger,
Germany, 1:58.14. 3, Renate
Groenewold, Netherlands,
1:59.44. Other Americans:
16, Catherine Raney, Elm
Grove, Wis., 2:02.27. 22,
Maria Lamb, River Falls,
Wis., 2:03.03. 32, Sarah
Elliott, Oconomowoc, Wis.,
2:05.01. 42, Kristine Holzer,
Boise, Idaho, 2:08.65.
Ladies' 4400-meter Team Pursuit
- 1, Japan, 3 minutes
5.30 seconds. 2, Germany,
3:06.09. 3, Russia, 3:06.97.
Men's Division A 5000-meters
- 1, Bob de Jong,
Netherlands, 6 minutes 19.94
seconds. 2, Carl
Verheijen, Netherlands,
6:21.79. 3, Lasse Saetre,
Norway, 6:24.64. Americans:
5, Chad Hedrick, Magnolia,
Texas, 6:26.74.
Men's Division B 5000-meters
- 1, KC Boutiette,
Tacoma, Wash., 6:30.23.
2, Rene Taubenrauch, Germany,
6:35.30. 3, Jens Boden,
Germany, 6:35.71. Other
Americans: 5, Clay Mull,
Gastonia, N.C., 6:38.32. 9,
Derek Parra, San Bernardino,
Calif., 6:39.44. 11,
Chris Callis, Sudlersville,
Md., 6:40.18.
### |
-
Parra Claims Bronze
at Season-Opening World Cup; U.S. Men Win Team Pursuit
HAMAR, Norway, November 8,
2003 - Derek Parra (San
Bernardino, Calif.) claimed
a bronze medal in the
men's 1500-meters on the
opening day of the long track
World Cup season Saturday.
Parra, who won a gold medal
in the 1500-meters and a
silver in the 5000-meters
at the 2002 Olympic Winter
Games, skated a time of
1 minute 48.80 seconds to
finish third.
"I haven't been happy with
my preparation for this
season and I've been having
a lot of skate trouble,"
said Parra. "So I
was pretty surprised with the
results today. It's
great to be able to make that
trip to the podium again."
The Netherlands' Erben Wennemars
won the event with a
time of 1:47.37.
Chad Hedrick (Magnolia, Texas)
joined Parra in the top
10, placing eighth with
a time of 1:49.40. KC
Boutiette (Tacoma, Wash.)
finished 11th in 1:49.94,
followed by Chris Callis
(Sudlersville, Md.) in 18th
place with a time of 1:50.76,
and Tim Hoffmann
(Waukesha, Wis.) in 26th
with a clocking of 1:51.76.
Also on Saturday, the U.S.
men's team won the
eight-lap team pursuit in
which two teams start on
opposite sides of the track
and skate eight laps.
Each team consists of three
men and the time is taken
from the third skater for
each country to cross the
finish line. The U.S.
won the event with a time of 3
minutes 49.85 seconds.
"It was a good, solid race,"
said Boutiette of the
team pursuit victory.
"I am looking forward to a
continued solid weekend."
In the ladies' competition
on Saturday, Jennifer
Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.)
had to skate the 3000-meter
event in the second-level
Division B because she sat
out that distance last year
and, therefore, had no
World Cup ranking going
into the competition.
However, she turned in the
fastest time of all the
skaters in Divisions A or
B with a time of 4 minutes
7.07 seconds. Her
victory will move her up to
Division A.
"It was such a good race
and I was kind of surprised
because the 3000 is not
always my strongest distance,"
Rodriguez said. "But
that was a good, even-paced,
strong race for me.
I'm happy."
Catherine Raney (Elm Grove,
Wis.), the only American
woman in the Division A
3000-meters, finished 10th
with a time 4:14.95.
Anni Friesinger of Germany
won Division A with a time
of 4:07.31.
In the Division B 3000-meters,
Maria Lamb (River
Falls, Wis.) placed sixth
with a time of 4:18.93, and
Kristine Holzer (Boise,
Idaho) finished 21st in
4:28.76.
The United States' performance
pleased U.S.
Speedskating National Coach
Tom Cushman.
"We have a strong, deep team
this year," Cushman said.
"The training that
the skaters have been doing this
summer and fall is definitely
showing in their racing.
From Jen's terrific
3000-meter race, to the men's
victory in the team pursuit,
to Maria Lamb's very
strong 3000 race, I think
we are positioned to build
throughout the season and
to just get stronger and
stronger and stronger."
The men's 5000-meters and
the ladies' 1500-meters and
team pursuit are on tomorrow's
slate. Sunday's action
concludes the two-day event.
Saturday's Results
Complete Results can be found
at:
http://www.scg-nl.nl/vervolg.ws
Ladies' Division A 3000-meters
- 1, Anni Friesinger,
Germany, 4 minutes 7.31
seconds. 2, Claudia
Pechstein, Germany, 4:08.06.
3, Renate Groenewold,
Netherlands, 4:08.39.
Americans: 10, Catherine Raney,
Elm Grove, Wis., 4:14.95.
Ladies' Division B 3000-meters
- 1, Jennifer
Rodriguez, Miami, Fla.,
4:07.07. 2, Maki Tabata,
Japan, 4:12.64. 3,
Valentina Yakshina, Russia,
4:12.76. Other Americans:
6, Maria Lamb, River Falls,
Wis., 4:18.93. 21,
Kristine Holzer, Boise, Idaho,
4:28.76.
Men's 1500-meters - 1, Erben
Wennemars, Netherlands, 1
minute 47.37 seconds.
2, Mark Tuitert, Netherlands,
1:47.55. 3, Derek
Parra, San Bernardino, Calif.,
1:48.80. Other Americans:
8, Chad Hedrick, Magnolia,
Texas, 1:49.40. 11,
KC Boutiette, Tacoma, Wash.,
1:49.94. 18, Chris
Callis, Sudlersville, Md.,
1:50.76. 26, Tim Hoffmann,
Waukesha, Wis., 1:51.76.
Men's Eight-lap Team Pursuit
- 1, United States, 3
minutes 49.85 seconds.
2, Italy, 3:50.68. 3,
Netherlands, 3:51.28.
###
|
-
Womens'
Sports Foudation - The Annual Salute to Women
in Sports Awards Dinner is a truly unique event. Each October, the Women’s
Sports Foundation gathers the most decorated female athletes together with
celebrities from film and television to celebrate the achievements of women
in sports and highlight the best individual and team performances of the
year. This year, the event raised over $1 million for grassroots programming
for girls and women’s sports. More than 100 exceptional women were presented
in the Grand March of Athletes (including Cammi
Granato), culminating with the Women’s Sports Foundation Founder
and Honorary Chair Billie Jean King. After dinner, the awards ceremony
commenced. read
more here
-
MANA,
A NATIONAL LATINA ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCES LAS PRIMERAS® AWARDS GALA
"Honoring Latina Achievement"
Washington, D.C., September
23, 2003 - MANA, A National Latina Organization (MANA) will host its 14th
annual Las Primeras® Awards Gala on Thursday, September 25, 2003 at
the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, DC Las Primeras
honors Latinas who have achieved "firsts" in their career or field. This
black tie event is one of the key events held during the kick-off week
of Hispanic Heritage Month and approximately 300 public, private, and non-profit
sector leaders as well as Members of Congress and key administration officials
attend the event every year.
Alma Morales Riojas, President
and CEO of MANA, A National Latina Organization (MANA) announced the names
of this year's Las Primeras® awardees as well as the recipients of
the HerMANO and HerMANA Awards, Corporation of the Year, and the new HERMANITAS®
Award.
This year, MANA will honor
women from many fields: Arts, Barbara Martinez-Jitner, Executive Producer
of American Family; Business, Maria de Lourdes Sobrino, Founder and CEO
of Lulu's Desserts; Communications, Gloria Rodriguez, President of MAPA
Communications; Education, Maria L. Tukeva, Principal of Bell Multicultural
High School; Leadership, The Honorable Petra Jimenez Maes, Chief Justice
of the New Mexico Supreme Court; Military Service, Linda Garcia Cubero,
first Latina to graduate from a military academy; Public Service, Irma
Maldonado, President of HMA Associates, Inc.; and Sports,
Jennifer Rodriguez, Olympic Bronze-Medalist in Speedskating.
Past recipients of the Las
Primeras® Award include the Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the first
Latina elected to Congress; Dr. Antonia Novello, first Latina to become
Surgeon General; Dr. Ellen Ochoa, first Latina astronaut; and the Honorable
Rosario Marin, United States Treasurer, and the first Latina immigrant
to hold a position at this high a level in any Administration.
MANA will honor General Motors
with the Corporation of the Year Award for the company's strong advocacy
and leadership in support of the University of Michigan case on Affirmative
Action. Katy Barclay, Global Vice President for Human Resources, will accept
the award.
The HerMANO and HerMANA Awards
are awarded to individuals who have advanced issues of importance to Latinas
and Hispanic communities. This year, MANA honors The Honorable Elaine Chao,
Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor, with the HerMANA Award for her
work in creating better opportunities and awareness of Hispanics in the
labor force and in business ownership. The Honorable Rubén Hinojosa
(D-TX) will receive the HerMANO Award for his support of MANA's programs,
community programs for Latinos, and legislation to support Hispanics.
The inaugural Hermanitas®
Award will be presented to Sandra E. Ulsh, President of the Ford Motor
Company Fund. Ms. Ulsh will be recognized for leadership and vision in
support of young Latinas, for recognizing the value of mentoring, and for
making it possible to train trainers of mentors in the inaugural class
of the AvanZamos® Fellowship Program.
Sponsors as of the date of
this release are the following: Daimler-Chrysler Corporation Fund as the
Platinum Sponsor; General Motors Corporation and State Farm Insurance Companies
as Silver Sponsors; American Express, Coors Brewing Company, Ford Motor
Company Fund, Lifetime Television, National SER-Jobs for Progress, Nordstrom,
PBS, as Bronze Sponsors, and the Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement
(WISER) and LatinaStyle Magazine as Friend Sponsors.
To find out more about sponsorship
opportunities or Las Primeras, contact the National Office at
(202) 833-0060 or by email
at manadaisy@aol.com.
-
American
women's hockey team chosen for Four Nations Cup in Sweden
The Associated Press
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.
— Cammi Granato
and Angela Ruggiero were among seven two-time Olympians selected Tuesday
for the U.S. women's hockey team that will play in the Four Nations Cup
in Sweden.
The tournament, to be held
Nov. 5-9, pits the United States against Canada, Sweden and Finland in
a matchup of the biggest powers in women's hockey.
The U.S. team was to play
earlier this year in the World Championships in Beijing but that was canceled
due to the SARS outbreak.
"With the USA Hockey National
Women's Program having been away from international competition for an
extended period, there are heightened feelings and added incentive for
the Four Nations Tournament," said coach Ben Smith, who also led the team
in the Nagano and Salt Lake City Olympics.
Granato and Ruggiero played
for the U.S. team that won the Olympic gold medal in 1998 and the silver
medal in 2002. Also on those teams were goaltender Sara DeCosta-Hayes and
forwards Tricia Dunn, Katie King, Shelley Looney and Jenny Potter.
Four other members of the
2002 Olympic team, defenseman Lyndsay Wall and forwards Julie Chu, Natalie
Darwitz and Krissy Wendell, will play in this tournament as well.
The rest of the roster is:
Chanda Gunn and Pam Dreyer, goaltenders; Jamie Hagerman, Gen Richardson,
Kerry Weiland and Julianne Vasichek, defensemen; and forwards Kim Insalaco,
Kristin King, Kathleen Kauth and Kelly Stephens.
-
Cammi
Granato at Q Sports
-Two
time Olympian, gold and silver medalist, and hockey legend Cammi
Granato is the latest star athlete to call Q Sports home. Cammi is
the biggest name in the history of women's hockey and she has set her sights
on adding another gold medal to her collection at the 2006 Olympic games
in Torino, Italy. For more info follow this
link to her webpage.
-
American Chiropractic
Association Re-signs Parra 7/1/03
- The ACA (http://www.acatoday.com)
has announced that the organization has renewed the endorsement agreement
of speedskating champion Derek Parra to extend throughout the 2003-2004
speedskating season. The agreement, originally established in early
2001, includes the option for the ACA to stick by Parra throughout the
2006 Olympic Games in Torino, Italy.
"I'm
really excited to continue the relationship with the ACA" said Parra.
"Not only for the chiropractic care, but it means a lot to me when companies
or organizations that I've been involved with in the past think enough
of me and what I've accomplished that they stick with me."
Details
of the deal were not disclosed but the renewal of the agreement is said
to consist of the same terms or the original agreement.
"The
ACA took me on and stood by me long before anyone knew my name, with
no guarantees of anything. They just wanted to help me realize a
dream. Now that I'm a gold medalist, I know that my market
value has gone up, but now it's my turn to return the favor to the ACA.
That's why I insisted the renewal be under the same terms as the original
deal. I think it's only fair."
"Our
affiliation with Derek Parra has been extremely rewarding for the American
Chiropractic Association and the chiropractic profession as a whole.
Derek is a uniquely gifted competitor, an Olympic superstar and, above
all, a first-class human being. His appearance at our annual House
of Delegates meeting was particularly touching, and we are proud to continue
to support his efforts" said Dr. Daryl D. Wills, President of the ACA.
About
ACA (http://www.acatoday.com)
The
American Chiropractic Association (ACA), based in Arlington, VA, is the
largest professional association in the world representing doctors of chiropractic.
The ACA provides lobbying, public relations, professional and educational
opportunities for doctors of chiropractic, funds research regarding chiropractic
and health issues, and offers leadership for the advancement of the profession.
With approximately 18,000 members, the ACA promotes the highest standards
of ethics and patient care, contributing to the health and well-being of
millions of chiropractic patients.
Rodriguez & Parra;
Evidence of Growing Latino Influence
6/19/2003 6:39 AM - 39 million make Hispanics largest U.S. minority
group
By Haya El Nasser, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — Hispanics outnumber
blacks as the largest minority group in the USA for the first time since
the government began counting the nation's population more than two centuries
ago.
The U.S. Census Bureau's
announcement Wednesday confirmed what many have treated as fact for some
time. Even so, it's a symbolic milestone for a nation whose history has
been dominated by black-white racial dynamics. Increased racial and ethnic
diversity is adding a new dimension to everything from product marketing
to political campaigning.
There are 38.8 million Hispanics
in the USA, according to the latest Census Bureau estimates released Wednesday.
The figures, as of July 1, show a 9.8% increase since the Census was taken
in April 2000.
The U.S. population grew
2.5% to 288.4 million in the same period. Hispanics accounted for half
of the national increase. Non-Hispanic blacks, including people who say
they're black and another race, grew at a much slower rate than Hispanics,
up 3.1%, to 36.6 million. Hispanics make up 13% of the nation's population.
The number of Asians also surged. They're up 9% to 13.1 million.
The population gains by Hispanics
reflect a society that has already embraced Spanish TV and election ballots
in Spanish. The Hispanic population is soaring because of immigration and
higher birth rates.
Black and Hispanic groups
were quick to emphasize common ground rather than differences.
"They keep trying to pit
the African-American community against Hispanics when indeed we have a
lot more in common than we have in disagreement," Hilary Shelton of the
NAACP says. "The Hispanic community is made up of very many different racial
groups. African-Americans are still the largest racial minority group."
That's true because the government
considers Hispanic an ethnic classification, which means Hispanics can
be black, white, Asian or any race. There are 1.7 million blacks who identified
themselves as Hispanic. Add them to the black population column, and blacks
total more than 38 million.
How they're changing America
The steady surge of Hispanics
has changed the fabric of life in the United States, from food on grocery
shelves, movies and the bedsheets children sleep on to the rosters of professional
sports teams:
• Nickelodeon's bilingual
Dora the Explorer is the No. 2 pre-school show on commercial TV, leading
Anglo as well as Hispanic tykes to sleep on Dora sheets that say Buenos
noches. A fraction of the audience for George Lopez, one of ABC's top comedies
last season, is Hispanic. And Fox, already the top major network among
Hispanics, is adding two Hispanic family comedies this fall.
• Hispanics represent 15%
of movie-ticket sales, higher than their share of the population. The box-office
careers of Cameron Diaz (Charlie's Angels), actress-singer Jennifer Lopez
(Maid in Manhattan) and director Robert Rodriguez (Spy Kids) are evidence
of Hispanics' broadening appeal. The 2002 Academy Awards celebrated the
year of the Hispanic, after Latin artists and Hispanic-themed work collected
10 nominations, including six for a biography of Mexican painter Frida
Kahlo, played by Salma Hayek, a Mexican.
• Latin radio stations account
for 7%-8% of the radio audience, up from 5% five years ago, according to
Airplay Monitor editor Sean Ross. More stations are sprouting in places
outside Florida, Texas, California and New York. There's a Latin FM station
in Raleigh, N.C.
• The Latin explosion in
mainstream pop music is evident in the success of Ricky Martin and Marc
Anthony, who began their careers as Spanish-language singers. Colombian
singer-songwriter Shakira and Jennifer Lopez are multi-platinum sellers.
• Time Inc. launched People
en Espanol in 1997. Circulation has since doubled to 414,000 to make it
the top-selling Spanish-language magazine in the USA.
• Hispanics are starring
in sports they had never been associated with before. The National Hockey
League has its first Hispanic, Scott Gomez of Alaska, rookie of the year
three years ago. Last year, speedskaters Derek
Parra and Jennifer Rodriguez became the first Hispanics to win Winter Olympic
medals. Parra is Mexican-American, and Rodriguez is Cuban-American.
Hispanics are also the largest
minority in Major League Baseball. Alex Rodriguez, a Dominican-American
born in New York and raised in Miami, is the game's highest paid player
at $25 million a year. Arturo Moreno became the first Hispanic owner of
a team when he recently bought the Anaheim Angels. Moreno has said he doesn't
want to be thought of as a minority owner. When asked a question in Spanish
at a news conference, the fourth-generation American answered in English.
"The first thing is I'm an American," he said. "I'm proud to be a Mexican-American,
but as far as being the first minority, I think most of us are immigrants
from some place."
• The National Basketball
Association this past season became the first major U.S. sports league
to offer national TV coverage on Spanish-language stations. Later this
year, ESPN will launch a full-time sports channel in Spanish. Next year,
for the 2004 Summer Games, NBC will carry 134 hours of Olympic coverage
in Spanish on its Telemundo network.
Tensions arise
Despite efforts by both political
parties to reach out to Hispanics, the surge in their numbers creates clashes
between blacks and Hispanics, Anglos and Hispanics and Asians and Hispanics.
Because so many Hispanics are newcomers, there are disputes over jobs,
political power, schools and lifestyle.
HISPANICS AT
A GLANCE
Hispanics, who can be of
any race, make up 13% of the U.S. population. A breakdown:
By region{+1}
Northeast 13.3%
Midwest 7.7%
South 34.8%
West 44.2%
By age
Under age 18 34.4%
18-64 60.5%
65 and older 5.1%
Origin
Mexican 66.9%
Central and South American
14.3%
Puerto Rican 8.6%
Cuban 3.7%
Other 6.5%
Educational attainment
Less than 9th grade 27.0%
9-12 grade (no diploma)
16.0%
High school graduate or
some college 45.9%
Bachelor's degree or more
11.1%
1 — Northeast: Connecticut,
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island and Vermont; Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin;
South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia; West: Alaska, Arizona,
California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon,
Utah, Washington and Wyoming
Source: The Hispanic Population
in the United States March 2002, Census Bureau
"It can be very destroying
to think of this in horse-race terms," says Roberto Suro, who directs the
Pew Hispanic Center, a think tank at the University of Southern California.
"The milestone here is not the relationship between (blacks and Hispanics),
but the way the U.S. population is changing. ... It's an official affirmation
of a different era."
The recent influx of Hispanic
immigrants to North Carolina caused friction in cities such as Durham,
says Jennifer Nevin, 28, a recent Duke University graduate. A battle broke
out there between longtime residents and Hispanics over funding of school
programs in English as a second language.
In border states such as
California, Arizona and Texas, many people are upset about the flow of
illegal immigrants. Similar sentiments are expressed elsewhere.
"I'm not against Hispanics
— just the illegals," says Bob Gillingham, 66, a retired printer who enjoys
living in an ethnically diverse neighborhood in Arlington, Va. He resents
undocumented immigrants using public services such as health care. "Why
don't we just make Mexico the 51st state?"
It's not surprising to the
NAACP's Shelton that the Census Bureau marked this seminal moment by announcing
the latest numbers at a convention of the League of the United Latin American
Citizens. "It's quite transparent that the Bush administration is courting
the Hispanic vote," he says.
So have most national candidates.
Both political parties are competing fiercely for Hispanic voters, who
made up 7% of the electorate in 2000, according to exit polls. Republican
strategists believe Bush, who won 35% of the Hispanic vote that year, can't
lose if he gets 40% in 2004.
Tactics used by both Democrats
and Republicans range from Web sites in Spanish to setting up booths at
citizenship ceremonies to register voters on the spot.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson
is the first Hispanic governor since 1986.
On Capitol Hill, there are
23 Hispanics in the U.S. House of Representatives — 19 are Democrats, and
four are Republicans. There are no Hispanics in the Senate.
Republicans recently began
Spanish lessons for members of the House and the Senate. Democrats have
been studying Spanish for some time. "The launch of Spanish on the Hill
shows we are serious about working with Spanish-speaking America," says
Rep. Jerry Weller, R-Ill., who organized the classes.
National candidates may be
going after Hispanic voters, but Hispanics remain a small constituency
despite their huge numbers.
"They are not yet a voting
bloc," says Jeffrey Passel, demographer at the Urban Institute in Washington.
He points out that many can't vote. One of seven Hispanics is in the USA
illegally, and others can't vote because they're not yet naturalized citizens.
Also, Passel says, many Hispanics born here are too young to vote.
There may be more Hispanics
than blacks, but there are still twice as many black voters as Hispanic
ones. According to Suro of the Pew Hispanic Center: 5% of non-Hispanic
blacks were not citizens in 2000, compared with 39% of Hispanics.
Beyond that, Hispanics are
not a homogeneous group — politically or culturally. Many see themselves
as having separate and distinct cultures based on their countries of origin.
Cubans in Miami are largely conservative and Republican. Mexicans in Los
Angeles and Puerto Ricans in New York, on the other hand, are more liberal
on many issues and largely Democrats.
"Blacks on an average vote
Democratic 85%; for Hispanics it's 70%," says Ronald Walters, political
science professor at the University of Maryland. "But there are some themes
that run through the (Hispanic) group, such as immigrant issues, social
services, bilingual education, employment."
Growing market
It's not easy to appeal to
Hispanics with one message, whether offering politics, music or frozen
foods. Hispanic cuisine differs markedly from region to region and country
to country. Many Hispanics who were born in this country don't speak Spanish
or listen to Spanish-language media.
"Consumers don't think or
act a certain way based on the color of their skin as much as their household
income, age and gender," says Christopher Kelley, author of a recent study
by the Forrester research company.
The growth of Hispanics has
sparked a surge in entrepreneurship and in the number of companies owned
by Hispanics in the USA. There are more than 1.1 million such companies,
four times the number two decades ago.
That number displaces African-Americans
as owners of the most minority-owned companies.
Hispanics now own one of
every 20 U.S. companies, the latest Census data show.
More of them are becoming
big businesses. Nearly 27,000 have annual revenue of $1 million or more,
which puts them in the corporate elite. They include giants such as MasTec,
a telecommunications services company based in Miami. MasTec has about
10,000 employees in the USA and Brazil, and it boasts more than $800 million
in annual revenue.
Demographer Passel estimates
that in the next half-century, there will be twice as many Hispanics as
blacks in the nation. But the rate of intermarriage is climbing among all
racial and ethnic groups.
"In 50 years, we'll probably
be using different categories to classify the U.S. population," Passel
says. "The boundaries are going to become much fuzzier. ... We don't know
in that sense what it'll mean to be Hispanic in 50 years."
Contributing: Kathy Kiely,
Chuck Johnson, Rod Beaton, Jill Lawrence, Lorrie Grant, Susan Wloszczyna,
Michael Hiestand and Emma Schwartz in Washington; Jim Hopkins in San Francisco;
Gary Levin and Peter Johnson in New York; Elysa Gardner in Los Angeles;
Tom Weir in Nashville; and the Associated Press.
Olympic
Hero and Stay-at-home Dad - June 15. 2003
Special to The Gainesville
Sun - by RAJA ABDULRAHIM
Economics often drives the
decision for dad, not mom, to stay home with the kids. His Olympic
skills put to test, Chris Thorpe, a two-time Olympic medalist who lives
in Gainesville, says his training in the double luge has given him the
stamina necessary to be a stay-at-home dad.
Being a father is harder
than he expected, and he says the organization skills and endurance he
gained as an athlete have helped him keep up with his 15-month-old daughter,
Skylar.
"[It has been] 10 times harder,"
says Thorpe, 32. "I thought I'd be playing patty cake, pushing her in the
swing. I thought it would be la la land."
Thorpe says he is used to
dealing with pressure as an athlete, so when things get tough with Skylar,
a lively, active toddler, he switches to "athlete mode" and is able to
get through it. Whereas athletic training is physically draining, being
a dad is also mentally draining.
Thorpe has been staying home
with Skylar now for nine months, ever since his wife, Kristean - also a
former Olympic athlete, in freestyle skiing - entered medical school at
UF. The Thorpes moved to Gainesville from Daytona Beach. Before that, they
lived in Lake Placid, N.Y.
"I thought my career was
over when the baby came," Thorpe says, pushing Skylar in a swing as she
laughs and shrieks.
Thorpe planned to retire
after the 2002 Olympics, but thanks to a Home Depot sponsorship, he plans
to try out for the 2006 Olympics in Italy and now trains every day with
his daughter in tow. As Skylar grows and becomes more mobile, Thorpe says
he is finding it harder to keep up with her.
"I feel like I'm training
to keep up with her and not my sport," says Thorpe, who won a silver in
the Nagano Olympics and a bronze in the Salt Lake City Olympics.
Eventually, Thorpe's training
will create further complications in his life as an at-home dad. In October,
he will begin training on luge tracks up north, instead of the dad-friendly
conditioning of recent months in Gainesville.
Ordinarily, Olympic training
would have required a six-month stay for Thorpe up north. So as not to
be away from Skylar for too long, Thorpe says instead he plans to make
a few two-week training trips.
While he is gone, Skylar
will be cared for either by Kristean's mother, who will travel from New
Hampshire, or be placed in day care.
As Skylar tries to climb
onto the kitchen table from Thorpe's lap, he scoops her up and places her
on the floor. Skylar begins to cry and runs to a corner, where she throws
a mini-tantrum.
"Yeah," he says with a laugh.
"It's tough love in this house."
Thorpe says he knows few
other stay-at-home dads - he only recently met Christopher Glymph. He says
he would like to join or start a support group "just so you can get some
things off your chest."
Thorpe has always had a support
staff when he has trained for competition, so he knows well the value of
a support network.
Thorpe says he gets few negative
reactions from people; most are supportive. When Thorpe takes Skylar to
the park, he says he gets many questions from the moms there.
"They ask 'Oh you have the
kid today?' " Thorpe says. "I say 'no, I have the kid everyday.' "
Despite some of the reactions,
Thorpe says he feels lucky to stay home with his daughter and wishes more
parents had that opportunity. Being a parent requires him to make time
sacrifices, he says, but ultimately it will be worth it.
"We will see in about 13
or 18 years," he says. "I can say I raised a damn good kid."
-
Thorpe
Headlines "Good Sports Nite"
June 11, 2003
OLATHE, Kan. – The Citizenship
Through Sports Alliance (CTSA) is offering a special program, “Good Sports
Nite”, at the Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida on Friday, June 13
from 6:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. in conjunction with the National Association
of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) convention.
CTSA is the single largest
coalition of professional and amateur organizations in the United States,
focused on character in sport. The alliance promotes fair play at all levels
from youth leagues to professional associations to reinforce the value
of sport as a test of character. Twelve of its members, including the NFL
(National Football League, NBA (National Basketball Association), MLB (Major
League Baseball), NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), NAIA
(National Association Intercollegiate Athletics) and the USOC (United States
Olympic Committee), will be in Orlando to honor outstanding professional
and amateur athletes for their commitment to sport.
On Friday, June 13, CTSA
is hosting “Good Sports Nite” at the Central Florida Boys and Girls Club
(5055 Raleigh Street, Orlando, FL.) The event will provide fun, hands-on
physical activities for kids and short programs for adults on the role
of parents in athletics. Featured will be the USOC’s Champions in Life,
the NCAA’s Character Discovery Challenge and the NAIA’s Champions of Character
programs.
U.S. Olympians Dot Richardson,
Chris
Thorpe and Mark Ruiz will share their athletic experiences in
the USOC’s Champions in Life program. Richardson captained the Olympic
softball teams that took home gold medals in both 1996 and 2000. She is
not only a gold medalist, but also a highly skilled orthopedic surgeon
and medical director at the USA National Training Center in Orlando, Florida.
Thorpe,
a four-time Olympian in the luge, won a silver medal in 1998 and a bronze
medal in 2002. Ruiz, a 2000 Olympian and 2004 Olympic hopeful,
was the 1999 Pan American Games diving champion on the three-meter springboard.
The Orlando community is
also invited to join CTSA member organizations and area sports leaders
Sunday evening, June 15, for the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance Awards
presentation at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Individuals will be recognized
for their commitment to citizenship, sportsmanship, ethical conduct and
community service. 2003 honorees include U.S. Olympian Apolo Anton Ohno,
Philadelphia Phillie Jim Thome, Jennifer Gillom of the Phoenix Mercury,
the Ohio State University’s Andy Geiger, the University of Buffalo’s women’s
soccer team, and many more. Pat Williams, Orlando Magic General Manager,
is the event’s featured speaker. For free ticket information, please contact
Ted Breidenthal at tbreidenthal@sportsmanship.org.
For more information, please
contact Kelly Noonan, NAIA, (913) 791-0044 or J. Michael Wilson, USOC,
719-866-4549.
-
Thorpe
in NYC...USOC announces Roots will outfit the U.S. Olympic Team through
2008
By
Cheryl Herbert // USOC Public Relations // May 16, 2003
NEW YORK, N.Y. -– The United
States Olympic Committee announced today that Roots will be an official
outfitter of the United States Olympic Team through 2008 with options for
outfitting the 2010 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Teams. As an official outfitter,
Roots will provide U.S. Olympic Teams with the parade uniform (Opening
and Closing Ceremonies) as well as athletic and casual wear for the 2004
Athens Olympic Games, 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin, Italy and the
2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
Michael Budman, co-founder
of Roots, and Jim Grice, USOC Chief of Sales & Marketing, made the
announcement during a press conference at the new Roots Boutique at the
NBC Experience Store in New York City.
“Roots is extremely proud
of its extended relationship with the United States Olympic Committee and
more importantly with the athletes that make up each U.S. Olympic Team.
Our mantra at Roots has always been ‘its all about the athletes’. We are
thrilled to outfit the U.S. Olympic Teams for the next three Olympic Games.
We look forward to helping both the winter and summer U.S. athletes look
stylish and feel proud when they represent America on the world stage during
the Olympics,” said Budman.
Roots catapulted into the
U.S athletic lifestyle scene with the resounding success of the 2002 U.S.
Olympic Team uniforms and casual wear worn by Olympic athletes and hopefuls
before and during the Games in Salt Lake City. As a result, Roots has fast
become a household name in the USA for fashion-forward apparel and athletic
wear.
With the 2004 Olympic Games
in Athens fast approaching, Roots is already embracing the challenge of
creating a unique and stylish U.S. Olympic Team apparel line for the 2004
U.S. Olympic Team athletes. Members of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team will
be dressed in a warm-weather designed uniform when they parade into the
Olympic Stadium for the opening of the Games of the XXVIIIth Olympiad.
“In speaking with our athletes
from the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, they constantly reinforced
that the Roots U.S. Team apparel gave them a psychological boost because
of how comfortable the clothing was and how stylish it looked,” said Grice.
“Roots is one of the world’s most respected authentic lifestyle brands
in athletic wear. We are excited about this long-term commitment with Roots
to outfit our future U.S. Olympic Teams.”
From Opening Ceremonies with
President George W. Bush to the podium and concerts at Medals Plaza and
into the after-glow of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, U.S. Olympians and
notables were seen worldwide wearing their Roots U.S. Olympic Team fashions.
In addition to the athletes
seen wearing 2002 U.S. Olympic Team apparel, other Roots toting U.S. Olympic
Team fashion celebrities included two-time figure skating gold medalist
Katarina Witt of Germany, supermodel Heidi Klum, the band N*SYNC, performer
Marc Anthony, television hosts Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien and Katie Couric
as well as singer Sheryl Crow.
Also announced during the
USOC/Roots press conference was the opening of the THE ROOTS BOUTIQUE within
the NBC Experience Store. The Roots Boutique will carry Roots designed
U.S. Olympic Team apparel, New York 2012 bid wear, as well as Saturday
Night Live and other NBC related merchandise.
On hand to celebrate the
Roots announcement was comedian and event Master of Ceremonies Dan Aykroyd,
who took a break from his Saturday Night Live rehearsals. Aykroyd will
host the May 17 SNL broadcast. Also present were U.S. Olympians, hopefuls
and Paralympians including two-time Olympian and Olympic gold medalist
Dan O'Brien (Moscow, Idaho/decathlon),
four-time
Olympian and Olympic silver and bronze medalist Chris Thorpe (Gainesville,
Fla./luge), 2004 Paralympic hopeful April Holmes
(Sommerdale, Pa./track and field), and two-time Olympic gold medalist and
2004 U.S. Olympic hopeful Beth Botsford (Timonium, Md./swimming).
-
Parra
Named USOC Athlete of the Year Finalist - COLORADO
SPRINGS, Colo. - Cyclist Lance Armstrong, figure skater Sarah Hughes and
the Women’s Bobsled Team have been voted the 2002 United States Olympic
Committee SportsMan, SportsWoman and Team of the Year, respectively.
The USOC SportsMan and SportsWoman
of the Year awards have been presented annually since 1974 to the top overall
male and female athlete from within the USOC member organizations. The
team award was added in 1996. Voters for the awards include national media,
the USOC Board of Directors and the USOC Athletes' Advisory Council. Winners
are selected from the individual female and male Athlete of the Year and
Team of the Year nominations of the National Governing Bodies for the Olympic,
Pan American, Affiliated and Disabled Sports Organizations within the U.S.
Olympic movement.
For a complete listing of
past winners go to USOC All-time Athletes.
Previously honored by the
USOC as its 1999 and 2001 SportsMan of the Year, Armstrong joins speedskater
Eric Heiden (1977, 1979, 1980) and sprinter Michael Johnson (1993, 1995,
1996) as a three-time USOC SportsMan of the Year.
Armstrong (Austin, Texas)
won his fourth consecutive Tour de France in 2002 and is the first American
to accomplish this feat. He also was first in the Grand Prix du Midi-Libre,
France; first in the Dauphine Libere, France; second in the Criterium International,
France; and fourth in the Amstel Gold Race, Holland.
The Olympic gold medalist
in ladies’ figure skating at Salt Lake City, Hughes (Great Neck, N.Y.)
placed third in the 2002 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships and
finished third in the ISU Grand Prix Final.
The team of Jill Bakken (Park
City, Utah) and Vonetta Flowers (Helena, Ala.) won the first-ever Olympic
gold medal in the sport of women’s bobsled at the 2002 Games.
SportsMan of the Year
nominees finishing in that category’s top five along with Armstrong were
Speedskating’s
Derek Parra (San Bernardino, Calif.),
Skiing’s Bode Miller (Franconia, N.H.), Bobsled’s Brian Shimer (Naples,
Fla.) and Track & Field’s Tim Montgomery (Cary, N.C.).
"I
sure don't like to lose, anything, but simply to be included in the same
sentence with Lance Armstrong is an honor in itself. It was an incredible
year for me, and to be recognized by the folks at the USOC means a great
deal, espeically in light of all the talented athletes they have to choose
from."
...Derek Parra
Following Hughes in the SportsWoman
of the Year balloting were tennis player Serena Williams (Palm Springs
Gardens, Fla.), speedskater Chris Witty (West Allis, Wis.) and swimmer
Natalie Coughlin (Concord, Calif.), who tied in third place, and snowboarder
Kelly Clark (Mount Snow, Vt.).
Other top vote-getters for
the Team of the Year honor were the U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team, the
USA Basketball Women’s World Championship Team, the U.S. Men’s National
Soccer Team, and USA Softball’s Women’s National Team.
-
Olympic
Silver Medalist Bill Schuffenhauer joins Q Sports - visit his
webpage for details by following this link.
-
U.S.
Speedskating Enjoys Most Successful Season Ever With 69 Medals
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.,
April 1, 2003 - There was no sign of a post-Olympic year letdown for the
U.S. Speedskating teams during the recently concluded 2002-2003 season.
Coming off a best-ever 11-medal performance at the 2002 Salt Lake Games,
U.S. skaters continue to be a force on the international circuits.
The long track and short track teams combined for 69 medals in international
competitions over the course of the season.
Heading the charge for the
long track team was two-time Olympic bronze medalist Jennifer Rodriguez
(Miami, Fla.). Rodriguez reached the podium 14 times at international
competitions, compiling three gold, six silver and five bronze medals.
She was the World Allround Champion in the 500-meters, won a silver and
bronze at the World Single Distances Championships and finished the World
Cup season in third-place in the 1500-meter standings. Rodriguez
also won both 1000-meter races and one 1500-meter event at the U.S. National
Championships.
Accompanying Rodriguez frequently
on the podium was 2002 Olympic gold medalist Chris Witty (West Allis, Wis.).
Witty amassed seven medals (four silver and three bronze) on her way to
a second-place overall finish in the 1000-meter World Cup rankings.
On the men’s side, Olympic
medalists Derek Parra (San Bernardino, Calif.) and Joey Cheek (Greensboro,
N.C.) were the season’s top performers. Parra got off to a great
start, winning the overall title at the second World Cup event of the year
in Erfurt, Germany, Nov. 15-17. He finished the campaign with five
medals (two gold, one silver and two bronze), and was ranked second in
the World Cup standings for the 1500-meters.
Cheek came on strong in the
second half of the season, tallying seven medals including a gold in the
1000-meters at the World Sprint Championships in Calgary and two bronze
at the World Single Distances Championships in Berlin. He also topped
the final sprint standings at the U.S. National Championships after winning
all four of the 500- and 1000-meter events.
Also reaching the World Cup
podium this season were Nick Pearson (Vernon, Wis.) and Kip Carpenter (Brookfield,
Wis.). Pearson won silver and bronze medals in the 1000-meters at
the Dec. 7-8 World Cup in Nagano, Japan, and Carpenter earned a bronze
in the 500-meters at the March 1-2 World Cup in Inzell, Germany.
The 2002-2003 U.S. Allround
Champions were determined by the top U.S. finishers at the North America/Oceania
Regional Qualifier held in Salt Lake City in January.
Shani Davis (Chicago, Ill.)
left no doubt that he would be the top American by winning the overall
competition between the U.S. and Canada. He placed first in the 5000,
second in the 1500, third in the 500 and fourth in the 10,000 on his way
to the title. Davis also won the 1500- and 10,000-meter competitions at
the U.S. National Championships.
Catherine Raney (Elm Grove,
Wis.) won the women’s U.S. allround crown at the Regional Qualifier, placing
fourth overall after third-place finishes in both the 3000 and 5000.
In the junior ranks, the
U.S. earned three medals at the World Junior Championships in Japan.
Tucker Fredricks (Janesville, Wis.) won the men’s 500-meters on the first
day of competition, and the last day of races saw Heidi Stangl (Andover,
Minn.) place second in the ladies’ 3000 and Maria Lamb (River Falls, Wis.)
earn the bronze medal in the ladies’ overall standings.
Fredricks won the men’s U.S.
Junior Championships in January along with ladies champion Elli Ochowicz
(Waukesha, Wis.). The duo also topped their respective junior sprint
standings at the U.S. National Championships in December.
Other winners from the U.S.
National Championships included Becky Sundstrom (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) who
won both ladies’ 500-meter races on her way to topping the senior sprint
standings, Kristine Holzer (Boise, Idaho) who won both the ladies’ 3000-
and 5000-meter races, and KC Boutiette (Tacoma, Wash.) who captured the
men’s 5000-meter title.
In short track competition,
Olympic gold and silver medalist Apolo Anton Ohno (Seattle, Wash.) won
his second career World Cup title in February. He earned
196 points on the season,
out of a possible 200, edging out Korea’s Hyun-Soo Ahn who finished second
in the standings with 194 points. Ohno won his first
World Cup title during the
2000-2001 season. All told, Ohno had a hand in 20 of the 21 short
track medals won by the U.S. during the season. He won 18 individual
medals (10 gold, six silver and two bronze) and two relay medals (one silver
and one bronze). Ohno also won the overall titles at the World Cup
events in St. Petersburg, Russia (Nov. 29-Dec. 1) and Bormio, Italy (Dec.
6-8). He teamed with Rusty Smith (Sunset Beach, Calif.), Derek Gray
(Norton Shores, Mich.) and Alex Izykowski (Bay City, Mich.) to win a
silver medal in the men’s
5000-meter relay at the World Cup in Salt Lake City (Feb. 7-9), and also
won a relay bronze in the final World Cup event in Quebec (Feb. 14-16)
by teaming up with Smith, Gray and Misi Toth (St. Louis, Mo.).
Gray, Toth and J.P. Kepka
(St. Louis, Mo.) captured the silver medal in the men’s 2000-meter relay
at the World Junior Championships in Budapest, January 10-12.
In national competition,
Ohno claimed his fifth U.S. National Championship in March in Bay City,
Mich., along with ladies champion Caroline Hallisey (Natick, Mass.) who
won her first national crown.
The U.S. Junior National
Championships held in Cleveland in December saw Gray and Maria Garcia (Carson,
Calif.) take home the men’s and ladies’ titles, respectively.
-
Cheek
Earns Silver Medal at World Cup INZELL,
Germany, March 1, 2003 - Joey Cheek (Greensboro, N.C.) earned a silver
medal in the sprint World Cup in Inzell, Germany, on Saturday.
Cheek, the Olympic bronze medalist in the 1000-meters, skated a time of
35.63 seconds to rank second in today's 500-meter competition.
Canadian
Jeremy Wotherspoon, who skated a time of 35.42, won the event. Kip Carpenter
(Brookfield, Wis.), who earned a bronze in the 500-meters at the Olympic
Winter Games, skated a time of 36.00 to finish in eighth place and give
the United States a pair of skaters in the top 10.
Cheek
and Carpenter also placed in the top 10 in the 1000-meter competition on
Saturday. Cheek finished fourth in a time of 1 minute 10.96 seconds, while
Carpenter placed ninth in 1:11.89. Gerard van Velde of the Netherlands
won the 1000-meters in 1:10.60.
"I
was very happy to win my first silver medal in a 500-meter event," said
Cheek. "I look forward to getting stronger over the next two weekends."
Chris
Witty (West Allis, Wis.), a three-time Olympic medalist, was the top American
female, placing fifth in the 1000-meters. Witty skated a time of 1:18.88.
Germany's
Monique Garbrecht-Enfeldt, who finished with a time of 1:18.22, won the
race.
Witty
was joined by U.S. teammates Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.), Becky Sundstrom
(Glen Ellyn, Ill) and Amy Sannes (St. Paul, Minn.) in the top 10 of the
1000-meters. Rodriguez (1:18.94) was sixth, Sundstrom (1:19.11) was eighth,
and Sannes (1:20.36) placed 10th.
Witty
was also the top American in the 500-meters, finishing 15th with a time
of 39.87. Garbrecht-Enfeldt skated a time of 38.55 to pick up her second
gold of the day.
Tomorrow
concludes the two-day competition.
Saturday's
Results
Ladies'
Division A 500-meters - 1, Monique
Garbrecht-Enfeldt,
Germany, 38.55 seconds. 2, Catriona
Lemay
Doan, Canada, 38.83. 3, Manli Wang, China,
38.96.
Americans: 15, Chris Witty, West Allis, Wis.,
39.87.
16, Becky Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 39.91.
17,
Amy Sannes, St. Paul, Minn., 40.15. 20, Elli
Ochowicz,
Waukesha, Wis., 40.43.
Ladies'
Division B 500-meters - 1, Anni Friesinger,
Germany,
39.84. 2, Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami, Fla.,
39.94.
3, Marieke Wijsman, Netherlands, 40.24.
Ladies'
Division A 1000-meters - 1, Garbrecht-Enfeldt,
1
minute 18.22 seconds. 2, Friesinger, 1:18.41. 3,
Lemay
Doan, 1:18.81. Americans: 5, Witty, 1:18.88. 6,
Rodriguez,
1:18.94. 8, Sundstrom, 1:19.11. 10, Sannes,
1:20.36.
Ladies'
Division B 1000-meters - 1, Shannon Rempel,
Canada,
1:19.88. 2, Galina Likhachova, Russia,
1:20.78.
3, Frouke Oonk, Netherlands, 1:20.90.
Men's
Division A 500-meters - 1, Jeremy Wotherspoon,
Canada,
35.42. 2, Joey Cheek, Greensboro, N.C., 35.63.
3,
Erben Wennemars, Netherlands, 35.80. Other
Americans:
8, Kip Carpenter, Brookfield, Wis., 36.00.
20,
Nick Pearson, Vernon, Wis., 37.50.
Men's
Division B 500-meters - 1, Alexander Oltrop,
Netherlands,
36.63. 2, Michael Kunzel, Germany, 36.66.
3,
Alexsandr Kibalko, Russia, 36.67. Americans: 11,
Derek
Parra, San Bernardino, Calif., 37.08. 12(t),
Chris
Callis, Sudlersville, Md., 37.22.
Men's
Division A 1000-meters - 1, Gerard van Velde,
Netherlands,
1:10.60. 2, Jan Bos, Netherlands,
1:10.62.
3, Wotherspoon, 1:10.84. Americans: 4, Cheek,
1:10.96.
9, Carpenter, 1:11.89. 11, Callis, 1:12.04.
12,
Parra, 1:12.07. 16, Pearson, 1:12.68.
Men's
Division B 1000-meters - 1, Mike Ireland,
Canada,
1:11.54. 2, Joon Moon, Korea, 1:11.78. 3,
Kibalko,
1:12.08.
-
U.S. Long Track Team
Earns Three Top 10 Finishes at World Allround Championships
GOTEBORG,
Sweden, February 9, 2003 – The United States ended the World Allround Championships
on Sunday with three skaters in the top 10 of the overall classification.
Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.) was the top U.S. finisher, placing fifth
overall with 173.817 points. She was joined in the top 10 by teammate
Catherine Raney (Elm Grove, Wis.) who finished eighth after a pair of fourth-place
finishes in the 3000- and 5000-meters. On the men’s side, K.C. Boutiette
(Tacoma, Wash.) led the U.S. with an eighth-place finish in the overall
standings.
Rodriguez
placed fifth in Sunday’s 1500-meters and 11th in the 5000-meters, while
Raney was eighth in the 1500-meters. Japan’s Maki Tabata won the
1500 in 2 minutes, 04.71 seconds, while Canada’s Clara Hughes captured
the 5000-meters in 7:25.88.
“My
1500 was not what I needed today,” Rodriguez said. “But my 5,000
was not too bad for me, especially considering the way the year has been
going. I’m already looking forward to coming back next year and doing
better.”
Raney
was apprehensive entering Sunday’s racing. “After my 500 yesterday,
I didn’t think I even wanted to skate this weekend, but now I’m glad I
did,” said Raney. “I got tired in the 5,000 pretty early, but I was
able to keep my lap times down when I wanted them.”
The
U.S. men placed two skaters in the top 10 of the 1500-meters, with Shani
Davis (Chicago, Ill.) finishing sixth in 1:53.72 and Derek Parra (San
Bernardino,
Calif.) finishing ninth in 1:54.13. Russia’s Yevgeny Lalenkov won the 1500
in 1:51.70.
Boutiette
was the only American to qualify for the 10,000-meters where he placed
ninth in a time of 14:31.18. Gianni Romme of the Netherlands was
first in 14:05.04.
The
Netherlands secured the top four spots in the men’s overall classification
with Romme in first, Rintje Ritsma in second, Ids Postma in third and Mark
Tuitert in fourth. The Americans placed Boutiette in eighth place,
followed by Parra in 12th, Davis in 16th and Chris Callis (Sudlersville,
Md.) in 19th.
Sunday’s
Results
Men’s
1500-meters: 1, Yevgeny Lalenkov, Russia, 1 minute 51.70 seconds.
2, Mark Tuitert, Netherlands, 1:51.74. 3, Gianni Romme, Netherlands,
1:52.07.
Americans:
6, Shani Davis, Chicago, Ill., 1:53.72. 9, Derek Parra, San
Bernardino, Calif., 1:54.13. 12, K.C. Boutiette, Tacoma, Wash., 1:54.51.
17, Chris Callis, Sudlersville, Md., 1:55.32.
Men’s
10,000-meters: 1, Romme, 14:05.04. 2, Rintje Ritsma, Netherlands,
14:11.32. 3, Eskil Evrik, Norway, 14:13.14. Americans: 9, Boutiette,
14:31.18.
Men’s
Final Overall Classification: 1, Romme, 158.105 points. 2, Ritsma,
158.889. 3, Ids Postma, Netherlands, 159.013. Americans: 8,
Boutiette,
161.085.
12, Parra, 117.643. 16, Davis, 118.080. 19, Callis, 119.178.
Ladies’
1500-meters: 1, Maki Tabata, Japan, 2:04.71. 2, Claudia Pechstein,
Germany, 2:04.99. 3, Cindy Klassen, Canada, 2:05.10. Americans:
5, Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami, Fla., 2:05.79. 8, Catherine Raney,
Elm Grove, Wis., 2:06.98.
Ladies’
5000-meters: 1, Clara Hughes, Canada, 7:25.88. 2, Pechstein, 7:29.50.
3, Klassen, 7:31.39. Americans: 4, Raney, 7:34.00. 11, Rodriguez,
7:49.79.
Ladies’
Final Overall Classification: 1, Klassen, 170.545. 2, Pechstein,
171.144. 3, Daniela Anschutz, Germany, 173.633. Americans: 5, Rodriguez,
173.817. 8, Raney, 174.381.
###
-
Jennifer Rodriguez
Wins 500-Meters at World Allround Championships
in Sweden
GOTEBORG, Sweden, February
8, 2003 – Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.) got the U.S. off to a strong
start at the World Allround Championships on Saturday in Sweden.
The two-time Olympic bronze medalist won the 500-meter race, the first
of four events over the two-day competition. The win, combined with
her 12th-place finish in today’s 3000-meters, puts Rodriguez in third place
in the overall classification heading into Sunday’s final day.
“I had a really good warm-up
and it showed in my 500,” said a pleased Rodriguez. “My opener was
the best of the season and the lap just felt really good. I was also
happy with my 3,000 and I’m very glad to be sitting in third overall.”
U.S. Head Coach Tom Cushman
was also pleased with Rodriguez’ performance. “Jen put together two
very good races today for herself,” said Cushman. “She looked about
the best she has all season long.”
Two-time Olympian Catherine
Raney (Elm Grove, Wis.) placed fourth in the ladies’ 3000-meters and stands
in 11th place overall.
“Catherine skated a very
smart and aggressive 3,000 paired against the world record holder (Germany’s
Claudia Pechstein),” said Cushman.
Raney was equally pleased
with her performance. “I was very happy with my 3,000,” she said.
“It’s good to know I’m right up with the very best girls in the world.”
Pechstein captured the 3000-meters
in a time of 4 minutes 19.99 seconds, and stands second in the overall
standings behind Canada’s Cindy Klassen.
In the men’s competition,
Derek Parra (San Bernardino, Calif.) was the top U.S. finisher in the 500-meters
with a fourth-place finish, while K.C. Boutiette (Tacoma, Wash.) had the
best finish in the 5000-meters, placing 10th. Boutiette stands in
seventh place in the overall standings, followed by Parra in 10th, Shani
Davis (Chicago, Ill.) in 16th, and Chris Callis (Sudlersville, Md.) in
18th.
The Netherlands’ Ids Postma
won the 500-meters and his countryman Gianni Romme captured the 5000-meters.
Postma is first in the overall standings after two events, The World Allround
Championships conclude on Sunday with the ladies’ 1500- and 5000-meters,
while the men
skate the 1500- and 10,000-meters.
The world champions will be determined from the best combined point total
from the four distances skated over the two days.
Saturday’s Results
Men’s 500-meters: 1, Ids
Postma, Netherlands, 36.89 seconds. 2, Yevgeny Lalenkov, Russia,
37.05. 3, Kevin Marshall, Canada, 37.18. Americans: 4(t), Derek
Parra, San Bernardino, Calif., 37.35. 7(t), Chris Callis, Sudlersville,
Md., 37.56. 9, K.C. Boutiette, Tacoma, Wash., 37.58. 12, Shani
Davis, Chicago, Ill., 37.69.
Men’s 5000-meters: 1, Gianni
Romme, Netherlands, 6 minutes 42.67 seconds. 2, Rintje Ritsma, Netherlands,
6:48.07. 3, Eskil Ervik, Norway, 6:52.94. Americans: 10, Boutiette,
6:57.76. 16, Parra, 7:02.50. 18, Davis, 7:04.84. 22,
Callis, 7:11.78.
Men’s Overall Classification
(after 2 events): 1, Postma, 78.227 points. 2, Ritsma, 78.477.
3, Romme, 78.497. Americans: 7, Boutiette, 79.356. 10, Parra,
79.600. 16, Davis, 80.174. 18, Callis, 80.738.
Ladies’ 500-meters: 1, Jennifer
Rodriguez, Miami, Fla., 40.01. 2, Cindy Klassen, Canada, 40.16.
3, Maki Tabata, Japan, 40.95. Other Americans: 22,
Catherine Raney, Elm Grove,
Wis., 42.99.
Ladies’ 3000-meters: 1, Claudia
Pechstein, Germany, 4:19.99. 2, Klassen, 4:21.28. 3, Clara
Hughes, Canada, 4:21.38. Americans: 4, Raney, 4:21.99. 12,
Rodriguez, 4:29.39.
Ladies’ Overall Classification
(after 2 events): 1, Klassen, 83.706. 2, Pechstein, 84.531.
3, Rodriguez, 84.908. Other Americans: 11, Raney, 86.655.
###
-
SATURDAY,
FEBRUARY 8 -WORLD SPRINT SPEED SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS -2:00-3:00 P.M.
ABC Sports presents the World Sprint Speed
Skating Championships, where six 2002 Olympians will be competing for the
U.S., including Kip Carpenter, Joey Cheek, Jennifer Rodriguez and Chris
Witty -- the world-record holder in the 1000m. Also competing is Canada's
Jeremy Wotherspoon, who is seeking his fourth sprint championship in five
years, and Catriona LeMay Doan, the 500m world record holder. Germany's
Monique Garbrecht-Enfeldt, a silver medalist in the 2002 Olympic Games,
is seeking her fourth world sprint championship. Tim Brant and Bonnie Blair
report from Calgary, Alberta.
-
Joey
Cheek Wins 1000-meters, Jennifer Rodriguez 3rd at Final Day of World Sprint
Championships
CALGARY,
Alberta, Canada, Jan. 19, 2003 – Joey Cheek (Greensboro. N.C.) won Sunday’s
1000-meter race at the World Sprint Speed Skating Championships en route
to a fourth-place finish in the overall classification. On the ladies side,
Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.) won her second medal of the event, placing
third in the 1000-meters, as she finished fifth in the final standings.
Cheek’s
1000-meter time of 1 minute 07.95 seconds was 0.03 ahead of second-place
Erben Wennemars of the Netherlands. Kip Carpenter (Brookfield, Wis.) placed
ninth in 1:09.00, Chris Callis (Sudlersville, Md.) was 12th in 1:09.42,
and Nick Pearson (Vernon, Wis.) finished 13th in 1:09.52.
Earlier
in the day, Cheek and Carpenter earned top-10 finishes in the 500-meter
race with Cheek (34.87 seconds) placing fourth and Carpenter (35.17) tying
for ninth. Callis skated a personal-best time of 35.71 to finish 18th.
His previous best was 36.05 set on December 28. Pearson placed 23rd with
a time of 35.85.
Jeremy
Wotherspoon of Canada won the 500-meters with a time of 34.49.
Rodriguez
followed up Saturday’s second-place finish in the 1000-meters with a third-place
showing on Sunday. Her time of 1:14.97 shaved 0.08 off Saturday’s time.
Rodriguez’ U.S. teammates Becky Sundstrom (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) and Chris
Witty (West Allis, Wis.) also placed in the top 10. Sundstrom turned in
a time of 1:15.67 to place sixth, and Witty finished eighth in 1:15.90.
Germany’s
Monique Garbrecht-Enfeldt won the 1000-meter race in 1:14.54.
In
the ladies 500-meter race, Sundstrom and Witty tied for 14th with an identical
time of 38.76. Rodriguez was close behind in 16th place with a time of
38.78.
Garbrecht-Enfeldt
made it a clean sweep of the weekend’s events by winning the 500-meters
in 37.75, helping her better her own event record for overall points with
a total of 150.225. Her previous record was 151.605. Rodriguez (152.310)
was the top American in the overall standings in fifth place, followed
by Sundstrom (153.505) in 12th and Witty (153.945) in 13th.
Cheek
earned fourth-place in the men’s overall standings with 138.230 points.
Carpenter (139.415) finished eighth, Pearson (141.285) was 15th and Callis
(141.295) was 16th. Wotherspoon placed first overall with a world-record
point total of 137.230, improving on his own previous record of 137.285.
Sunday's
Results
Ladies'
500-meters-1, Monique Garbrecht-Enfeldt, Germany, 37.75 seconds. 2, Manli
Wang, China, 37.96. 3, Shihomi Shinya, Japan, 38.05. 4, Jenny Wolf, Germany,
38.06. 5, Sayuri Osuga, Japan, 38.10. 6, Catriona LeMay Doan, Canada, 38.13.
Americans: 14(tied), Becky Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 38.76. 14(tied),
Chris Witty, West Allis, Wis., 38.76. 16, Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami, Fla.,
38.78.
Ladies'
1000-meters-1, Garbrecht-Enfeldt, 1 minute 14.54 seconds. 2, Cindy Klassen,
Canada, 1:14.71. 3, Rodriguez, 1:14.97. 4, Anzhelika Kotyuga, Belarus,
1:15.55. 5, Marianne Timmer, Netherlands, 1:15.57. 6, Sundstrom, 1:15.67.
Other American: 8, Witty, 1:15.90.
Ladies'
Samalog Final Standings-1, Garbrecht-Enfeldt, 150.225 points. 2, Klassen,
151.925. 3, Shinya, 151.980. 4, Wang, 151.985. 5, Rodriguez, 152.310. 6,
Kotyuga, 152.490. Other Americans: 12, Sundstrom, 153.505. 13, Witty, 153.945.
Men's
500-meters-1, Jeremy Wotherspoon, Canada, 34.49. 2, Gerard van Velde, Netherlands,
34.61. 3, Hiroyasu Shimizu, Japan, 34.67. 4, Joey Cheek, Greensboro, N.C.,
34.87. 5, Erben Wennemars, Netherlands, 34.96. 6, Mike Ireland, Canada,
34.99. Other Americans: 9(tied), Kip Carpenter, Brookfield, Wis., 35.17.
18, Chris Callis, Sudlersville, Md., 35.71. 23, Nick Pearson, Vernon, Wis.,
35.85.
Men's
1000-meters-1, Cheek, 1:07.95. 2, Wennemars, 1:07.98. 3, Wotherspoon, 1:08.25.
4, van Velde, 1:08.43. 5, Beorn Nijenhuis, Netherlands, 1:08.53. 6, Kyou
Hyuk Lee, Korea, 1:08.76. Other Americans: 9, Carpenter, 1:09.00. 12, Callis,
1:09.42. 13, Pearson, 1:09.52.
Men's
Samalog Final Standings-1, Wotherspoon, 137.230. 2, van Velde, 137.830.
3, Wennemars, 138.150. 4, Cheek, 138.230. 5, Shimizu, 138.365. 6, Lee,
139.085. Other Americans: 8, Carpenter, 139.415. 15, Pearson, 141.285.
16, Callis, 141.295.
-
FIRST
ROUND OF FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE AAU JAMES E. SULLIVAN
MEMORIAL AWARD
List
Includes Olympic Medal Winners, NCAA Champions, and Two High School Athletes
ORLANDO,
FL. (January 13, 2003) - The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) today announced
the names of the top finalists for the 73rd Annual AAU James E. Sullivan
Memorial Award, which recognizes the top amateur athlete in the nation.
The first round finalists are: Nick Collison (Men's Basketball); Natalie
Coughlin (Swimming); Sarah Hughes (Skating); LeBron James (Men's Basketball);
George Kotaka (Karate); Stacey Nuveman (Softball); Nicole Ohlde (Women's
Basketball); Apolo Anton Ohno (Speedskating);
Derek
Parra (Speedskating);
Cael Sanderson (Wrestling); and Chris Waddell (Paralympic Alpine Skiing
and Track and Field).
The
AAU Sullivan Award recognizes athletes who have achieved athletic excellence,
exhibit leadership, character, sportsmanship and the ideals of amateurism.
It has been presented annually by the AAU since 1930 as a salute to founder
and past president of the AAU, and a pioneer in amateur sports, James E.
Sullivan.
A 10-member
AAU Sullivan Committee selected the 11 finalists from an initial group
of 50 nominations. Ballots to select the top five and the 2002 winner were
mailed today to an 800-member voting body consisting of AAU Board of Directors,
United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Board of Directors, Select Media,
and 2001 AAU Sullivan Award Event Attendees. The top five finalists and
the National recipient will be formally recognized and announced March
18th, 2003 at the New York Athletic Club in New York City.
"This
year's selection of award finalists represents a diverse group of athletes
participating in both individual and team sports," said AAU President Bobby
Dodd. "The common thread that links our finalists is that they are not
only first-class athletes, but first-class individuals as well. We hope
that they will continue to serve as positive role models for the youth
of America."
Considered
the "Oscar" of sports awards, the AAU James E. Sullivan Award has been
presented to prominent athletes of our time including last year's recipient
Michelle Kwan. Others include: Peyton Manning (1997), William "Bill" Bradley
(1965), Dan Jansen (1994), Janet Evans (1989), Jim Abbott (1987), Jackie
Joyner-Kersee (1986), Greg Louganis (1984), and the late Florence Griffith-Joyner
(1988).
"For
the past 73 years, the Sullivan Award has recognized athletes that epitomize
sportsmanship and integrity," noted AAU president Bobby Dodd. "We at the
AAU are committed to continuing this time-honored tradition, and even helping
it to grow in prominence."
The
Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is one of the largest, non-profit, volunteer,
sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization,
the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur
sports and physical fitness programs for all ages. Our philosophy of "Sports
for All, Forever," is shared by nearly 500,000 participants and over 50,000
volunteers. Divided into 57 associations, the AAU sanctions more than 34
sports programs, 250 national championships, and over 10,000 local events
across the United States annually.
For
more information, contact: Melissa Wilson of AAU, 407.828.5636 melissa@aausports.org
-
Jennifer Rodriguez
Wins Gold in 1,000-Meter World Cup Race; Chris Witty and Joey Cheek Earn
Bronze Medals
KEARNS,
Utah, January 11, 2003 – In her first 1,000-meter competition of the 2002-2003
World Cup season, Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.), the reigning Olympic
bronze medalist at that distance, turned in a golden performance. Rodriguez
topped a field of 20 skaters on Saturday with a time of 1:14.48 to win
the fifth leg of the Essent ISU Speed Skating Spring World Cup at the Utah
Olympic Oval. The victory snapped a string of four straight wins by Germany’s
Monique Garbrecht-Enfeldt who finished second in a time of 1:14.54. Chris
Witty (West Allis, Wis.) reached the podium in her fourth straight World
Cup 1,000-meter race, winning the bronze with a time of 1:14.66. Also in
that race, Elli Ochowicz (Menlo Park, Calif.) shattered her own junior
national record with a time of 1:16.44 to finish 11th. Her previous junior
record was 1:17.87.
"I’m
happy with the race," said Rodriguez. "Because I didn’t go to the Asian
World Cups, I had no idea how well I'd do. Coach Tom Cushman just told
me to go out and skate two good laps."
Rodriguez
was also at a disadvantage by having to skate in the first of 10 pairs
of skaters, but her time survived all the challengers. "You just have to
go out and skate your own race and hope it holds up," said Rodriguez of
the early pairing.
Joey
Cheek (Greensboro, N.C.) also reached the podium, earning a bronze medal
in the men’s Division A 1,000-meter race with a time of 1:08.20. Canada’s
Jeremy Wotherspoon won the race in a time of 1:07.89.
Wotherspoon
also won the men’s Division A 500-meter race with a Canadian national record
time of 34.41 seconds. Japan’s Joji Kato set a world junior record of 34.88
to place second. Cheek was the top U.S. finisher in seventh place (35.12),
followed by Kip Carpenter (Brookfield, Wis.) in eighth (35.22) and Nick
Pearson (Vernon, Wis.) in 11th with a personal-best time of 35.46.
The
ladies Division A 500-meter race was won by Garbrecht-Enfeldt with a time
of 37.50. Witty was the top American, tying for the 13th spot in 38.66.
The
ladies Division B 500-meters saw an American sweep with Amy Sannes (St.
Paul, Minn.), Rodriguez and Ochowicz finishing one-two-three. Sannes also
placed second in the ladies Division B 1,000-meter race.
Derek
Parra (San Bernardino, Calif.) set a personal best in the men’s Division
B 1,000-meters, finishing second with a time of 1:08.87. His previous best
was 1:09.04.
Action
resumes on Sunday with the sixth legs of the 500- and 1,000-meter World
Cup season.
Saturday's
Results
Ladies'
Division A 500-meters - 1, Monique Garbrecht-Enfeldt, GER, 37.50 seconds.
2, Catriona LeMay Doan, CAN, 37.78. 3, Sayuri Osuga, JPN, 37.87. Americans:
13t, Chris Witty, West Allis, Wis., 38.66. 16, Becky Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn,
Ill., 38.95.
Ladies'
Division B 500-meters – 1, Amy Sannes, St. Paul, Minn., 38.83. 2, Jennifer
Rodriguez, Miami, Fla., 38.86. 3, Elli Ochowicz, Menlo Park, Calif., 39.23.
Ladies'
Division A 1000-meters – 1, Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami, Fla., 1 minute 14.48
seconds. 2, Monique Garbrecht-Enfeldt, GER, 1:14.54. 3, Chris Witty, West
Allis, Wis., 1:14.66 Other Americans: 7, Becky Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn, Ill.,
1:16.07. 11, Elli Ochowicz, Menlo Park, Calif., 1:16.44.
Ladies'
Division B 1000-meters -1, Maki Tabata, JPN, 1:16.04. 2, Amy Sannes, St.
Paul, Minn., 1:16.13. 3, Anke Hartmann, GER, 1:17.28.
Men's
Division A 500-meters - 1, Jeremy Wotherspoon, CAN, 34.41. 2, Joji Kato,
JPN, 34.88. 3, Erben Wennemars, NED, 35.03. Americans: 7, Joey Cheek, Greensboro,
N.C., 35.12. 8, Kip Carpenter, Brookfield, Wis., 35.22. 20, Nick Pearson,
Vernon, Wis., 35.46.
Men's
Division B 500-meters - 1, Eric Brisson, CAN, 35.45. 2, Jacques de Koning,
NED, 35.66. 3, Brock Miron, CAN, 35.69. Americans: 8, Chris Callis, Sudlersville,
Md., 36.15. 9, Tucker Fredricks, Janesville, Wis., 36.20.
Men's
Division A 1000-meters - 1, Jeremy Wotherspoon, CAN, 1:07.89. 2, Erben
Wennemars, NED, 1:08.10. 3, Joey Cheek, Greensboro, N.C., 1:08.20. Other
Americans: 5, Nick Pearson, Vernon, Wis., 1:08.97. 7, Kip Carpenter, Brookfield,
Wis., 1:09.62.
Men's
Division B 1000-meters - 1, Beorn Nijenhuis, NED, 1:08.83. 2, Derek Parra,
San Bernardino, Calif., 1:08.87. 3, Jacques de Koning, NED, 1:09.45. Other
Americans: 4, Chris Callis, Sudlersville, Md., 1:09.52
-
Rodriguez
Wins Silver, Witty Earns Bronze In World Cup
KEARNS,
Utah, January 12, 2003 – Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.) won the silver
medal and teammate Chris Witty (West Allis, Wis.) took the bronze in running
her podium appearances to five straight World Cup 1,000-meter races on
Sunday at the Essent ISU Speed Skating Sprint World Cup held at the Utah
Olympic Oval. A total of 114 records were set during the three-day competition.
Rodriguez,
who won Saturday’s 1,000-meter World Cup race, was clocked in 1:14.55 to
finish behind World Cup standings leader Monique Garbrecht-Enfeldt of Germany
who placed first in 1:14.17 and set a world points record in the process.
Witty was timed in 1:15.11 to earn the bronze, while Becky Sundstrom (Glen
Ellyn, Ill.) skated a personal best time of 1:15.58 to place fourth. Elli
Ochowicz (Menlo Park, Calif.) broke her own junior national record for
the second straight day with a time of 1:16.41 and finished in ninth place.
Ochowicz also achieved a junior points record with her performance.
"It
was nice to have four USA skaters in the top 10," said Rodriguez. "I skated
pretty well but got a little more tired today than I did yesterday. You
want to do well here, but everyone is focusing on next weekend (the World
Sprint Championships in Calgary)."
Today's
results gives Witty 406 points in the World Cup standings to rank second
behind Garbrecht-Enfeldt, who leads with 580 points. Sundstrom is fifth
in the rankings with 240 points and Rodriguez enters the standings in 12th
place with 180 points by virtue of her first- and second-place finishes
this weekend.
In
the men’s Division A 1,000-meter race, the Netherlands’ Erben Wennemars
clocked the second-fastest time ever at that distance with a time of 1:07.33
to win the gold medal. The world record at 1,000 meters is 1:07.18. Canada’s
Jeremy Wotherspoon placed second in 1:08.29 and also set a world points
record. The top American was Joey Cheek (Greensboro, N.C.) in fourth place
with a time of 1:08.36, followed by Derek Parra (San Bernardino, Calif.)
in eighth (1:08.96) and Kip Carpenter (Brookfield, Wis.) who tied for 10th
place (1:09.15).
Nick
Pearson (Vernon, Wis.), who placed 13th on Sunday, is the top ranked American
in the men's 1000-meters standings. He is currently fifth with 306 points.
Teammates Cheek (272) and Carpenter (207) are ranked sixth and eighth,
respectively.
Wennemars
is currently ranked number one through seven races with 510 points.
Cheek
was the top American in the men's Division A 500-meters with a fourth-place
finish in a time of 34.93. Carpenter was ninth with a time of 35.24 while
Pearson was 15th with a time of 35.81. Wotherspoon finished first with
a time of 34.77.
In
the ladies' Division A 500-meters, Witty was the top American, finishing
13th with a time of 38.62. Amy Sannes (St. Paul, Minn.) was 18th in 38.87,
while Sundstrom placed 19th with a time of 38.99.
Garbrecht-Enfeldt
won the race with a time of 37.45 seconds.
In
men’s Division B 500-meter action, Tucker Fredricks (Janesville, Wis.)
set an American junior national record with a time of 36.09 in placing
fifth.
The
event produced 86 personal records, 15 junior national records, eight national
records, three world junior records, two world points records and two unofficial
world records for the inaugural 100-meter races held on Friday.
Competition
continues at the World Sprint Championship next weekend (Jan. 18-19) in
Calgary.
Sunday's
Results
Complete
Results: http://www.scg-nl.nl/events/speedskating/2002-2003/worldcup/salt%20lake/
Ladies'
Division A 500-meters-1, Monique Garbrecht-Enfeldt, Germany, 37.45 seconds.
2, Manli Wang, China, 37.85. 3, Tomomi Okazaki, Japan, 37.92. Americans:
13, Chris Witty, West Allis, Wis., 38.62. 18, Amy Sannes, St. Paul, Minn.,
38.87. 19, Becky Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 38.99.
Ladies'
Division B 500-meters-1, Elli Ochowicz, Menlo Park, Calif., 39.16. 2, Hui
Ren, China, 39.19. 3, Svetlana Radkevich, Belarus, 39.43. Other American:
8, Annie Driscoll, Roseville, Minn., 40.11.
Ladies'
Division A 1000-meters-1, Garbrecht-Enfeldt, 1 minute 14.17 seconds. 2,
Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami, Fla., 1:14.55. 3, Witty, 1:15.11. Other Americans:
4, Sundstrom, 1:15.58. 9, Ochowicz, 1:16.41.
Ladies'
Division B 1000-meters-1, Sannes, 1:16.44. 2, Krisztina Egyed, HUN, 1:17.09.
3, Ren, 1:17.75.
Men's
Division A 500-meters-1, Jeremy Wotherspoon, Canada, 34.77. 2, Gerard van
Velde, Netherlands, 34.85. 3, Erben Wennemars, Netherlands, 34.90. Americans:
4, Joey Cheek, Greensboro, N.C., 34.93. 9, Kip Carpenter, Brookfield, Wis.,
35.24. 15, Nick Pearson, Vernon, Wis., 35.81.
Men's
Division B 500-meters-1, Tadashi Obara, Japan, 35.58. 2, Beorn Nijenhuis,
Netherlands, 35.67. 3, Brock Miron, Canada, 35.77. Americans: 5, Tucker
Fredricks, Janesville, Wis., 36.09. 8, Derek Parra, San Bernardino, Calif.,
36.26.
Men's
Division A 1000-meters-1, Wennemars, 1:07.33. 2, Wotherspoon, 1:08.29.
3, van Velde, 1:08.34. Americans: 4, Cheek, 1:08.36. 8, Parra, 1:08.96.
10 (tied), Carpenter, 1:09.15. 13, Pearson, 1:09.72.
Men's
Division B 1000-meters-1, Chris Callis, Sudlersville, Md., 1:08.83. 2,
Masaaki Kobayashi, Japan, 1:10.47. 3, Pasi Koskela, Finland, 1:10.51.
-
Cheek
and Sundstrom Claim U.S. Sprint
Championships
KEARNS,
Utah, December 30, 2002-Joey Cheek (Greensboro, N.C.) and Becky Sundstrom
(Glen Ellyn, Ill.) claimed the men's and ladies' U.S. Sprint titles, respectively,
Monday afternoon at the Utah Olympic Oval.
Cheek
won today's men's 1000-meters with a time of 1 minute 8.41 seconds.
The win gave Cheek a perfect record in the four sprint events at U.S. Championships.
On Friday, Cheek swept the men's 500- and 1000-meters while on Saturday
he captured the 1000-meters.
Cheek
finished first with a four-race point total of 138.695. Nick Pearson
(Vernon, Wis.) finished second with 140.585 points while Chris Callis (Sudlersville,
Md.) was third with 141.525.
The
trio qualified for the World Sprint Championships, which will take place
Jan. 18-19 in Calgary.
Kip
Carpenter (Brookfield, Wis.) was already prequalified for the World
Sprints based on his current World Cup standings.
Sundstrom
finished second in today's ladies' 1000-meters with a time of 1:16.09,
while Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami) won the race with a time of 1:15.71.
Sundstrom
won Friday and Saturday's 500-meters competitions en route to her U.S.
Sprint title. Sundstrom finished with 153.180 points while Rodriguez finished
second with 153.295. Amy Sannes (St. Paul, Minn.) was third with 155.540
points.
Sundstrom
and Rodriguez have qualified for the World Sprint Championships while Sannes
will have a skate off with Chris Witty (West Allis, Wis.) for the third
and final position.
Witty
was scratched from the competition on Friday due to the flu. Witty
is eligible to skate off against the third-place qualifier at the Salt
Lake World Cup to be held Jan. 10-12. The final start position will be
determined by each skaters' combined point total from her best 500- and
1000-meter competition. Witty is eligible to a skate off due to recording
a top-eight finish at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Witty won the gold
medal in the 1000-meters.
The
U.S. Junior Men's Sprint Championship was won by Tucker Fredricks (Janesville,
Wis.). Tyler Goff (Madison, Wis.) and Eric Cepuran (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) finished
second and third, respectively.
The
ladies' junior sprint champion was Elli Ochowicz (Menlo Park, Calif.).
Nancy Swider-Peltz, Jr. (Wheaton, Ill.) finished second while Sara Goff
(Madison, Wis.) was third. Lori (Monk) Goff, Nancy Swider-Peltz, and Sheila
(Young) Ochowicz, and Nancy Swider-Peltz, mothers of the junior ladies'
winners, all competed on the 1976 Winter Olympic Team. Ochowicz won a gold
medal in the 500-meters, a silver medal in the 1500-meters, and a bronze
in the 1000-meters at the 1976 Olympic Winter Games.
In
allround action, Kristine Holzer (Boise, Idaho) won the ladies' 3000-meters
with a time of 4 minutes 12.31 seconds while KC Boutiette (Tacoma, Wash.)
won the men's 5000-meters with a time of 6 minutes 34.45 seconds. Boutiette,
a former star inline skater, edged out inline skater Chad Hedrick (Houston)
for the win. Hedrick posted a time of 6:35.56.
Competition
concludes tomorrow with the ladies' 5000-meters and the men's 10,000 meters.
Action starts at 10 a.m.
Monday's
Results
Ladies'
1000-meters-1, Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami, 1 minute 15.71 seconds. 2, Becky
Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 1:16.09. 3, Amy Sannes, St. Paul, Minn., 1:16.70.
4, Elli Ochowicz, Menlo Park, Calif., 1:17.87. 5, Annie Driscoll, Roseville,
Minn., 1:18.87. 6, Becky Lang, Waupaca, Wis., 1:21.69. 7, Nancy Swider-Peltz,
Jr., Wheaton, Ill., 1:21.74. 8, Becky Bradford, Apple Valley, Minn., 1:22.71.
9, Sara Goff, Madison, Wis., 1:23.30. 10, Sarah Parker, Roseville, Minn.,
1:24.15.
Ladies'
Final Senior Sprint Standings (four-race total)-1, Sundstrom, 153.180 points.
2, Rodriguez, 153.295. 3, Sannes, 155.540. 4, Ochowicz, 157.005. 5, Driscoll,
159.560. 6, Lang, 164.400. 7, Bradford, 165.690. 8, Swider-Peltz, Jr.,
166.550. 9, Goff, 167.585. 10, Parker, 168.495.
Ladies'
Final Junior Sprint Standings (four-race total)-1, Ochowicz, 157.005. 2,
Swider-Peltz, Jr., 166.550. 3, Goff, 167.585. 4, Margaret Crowley, Winnetka,
Ill., 169.020. 5, Ashlee Barnett, Lino Lakes, Minn., 173.735. 6, Erica
Lanser, Elm Grove, Wis., 176.070. 7, April Medley, Mequon, Wis., 177.580.
Men's
1000-meters-1, Joey Cheek, Greensboro, N.C., 1 minute 8.41 seconds. 2,
Nick Pearson, Vernon, Wis., 1:08.57. 3, Chris Callis, Sudlersville,
Md., 1:09.45. 4, Derek Parra, San Bernardino, Calif., 1:10.12. 5, Tim Hoffmann,
Waukesha, Wis., 1:10.71. 6, Matthew Passarella, Fon du Lac, Wis., 1:11.55.
7, Lucas Mills, Washington, D.C., 1:12.37. 8, Tucker Fredricks, Janesville,
Wis., 1:12.50. 9, Eric Krantz, Elgin, Ill., 1:12.82. 10, Tyler Goff, Madison,
Wis., 1:13.15.
Men's
Final Senior Sprint Standings (four-race total)-1, Cheek, 138.695. 2, Pearson,
140.585. 3, Callis, 141.525. 4, Parra, 144.635. 5, Fredricks, 144.900.
6, Hoffmann, 145.530. 6, Krantz, 145.590. 7, Matt Kooreman, Grand Rapids,
Mich., 148.335. 8, Rusty Smith Sunset Beach, Calif., 148.455. 9, Ron Macky,
Grafton, Wis., 150.200. 10, Goff, 150.790.
Men's
Final Junior Sprint Standings (four-race total)-1, Fredricks, 144.900.
2, Goff, 150.790. 3, Eric Cepuran, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 153.100. 4, Tim Venne,
Roseville, Minn., 154.250. 5, Paul Dyrud, Plymouth, Minn., 154.510. 6,
Mike Blumel, Woodbury, Minn., 156.690.
Ladies'
3000-meters-1, Kristine Holzer, Boise, Idaho, 4:12.31. 2, Katie Krall,
Colorado Springs, Colo., 4:16.35. 3, Eva Rodansky, Woodhaven, Mich., 4:17.11.
4, Maria Lamb, River Falls, Wis., 4:20.14. 5, Erin Porter, Saratoga Springs,
N.Y., 4:20.42. 6, Heidi Stangl, Andover, Minn., 4:21.12. 7, Julie Glass,
Seattle, 4:22.00. 8, Shana Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 4:24.04. 9, Sarah
Elliott, Oconomowoc, Wis., 4:25.48. 10, Swider-Peltz, Jr., 4:27.72. 11,
Driscoll, 4:31.10.
Men's
5000-meters-1, KC Boutiette, Tacoma, Wash., 6:34.45. 2, Chad Hedrick, Houston,
6:35.56. 3, Callis, 6:36.95. 4, Shani Davis, Chicago, 6:37.41. 5, Clay
Mull, Gastonia, N.C., 6:43.76. 6, Nate DiPalma, Albuquerque, N.M. 6:46.83.
7,Hoffmann, 6:51.23. 8, Matt Passarella, Fon du Lac, Wis., 7:01.20. 9,
Danny Frederick, Anchorage, Alaska, 7:06.10. 10, Macky, 7:08.19.
-
Four Skaters
Claim Victories on Day Two of the U.S. Speedskating Championships
KEARNS,
Utah, December 28, 2002-The second day of action at the U.S. Speedskating
Long Track Championships produced four different event winners.
Joey
Cheek (Greensboro, N.C.) won his third race in as many tries on Saturday.
Cheek claimed the men's 500-meters with a time of 35.16 seconds. Yesterday,
Cheek earned victories in the men's 500- and 1000-meters.
Today's
men's and ladies' 500- and 1000-meters and yesterday's 500-meters times
combined with Monday's 1000-meters will decide the U.S. Sprint champions.
In
the ladies' 500-meters, Becky Sundstrom (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) duplicated yesterday's
first-place finish with time of 38.59. Yesterday, Sundstrom placed second
in the ladies' 1000-meters.
The
men's 1500-meters was a closely contested race with the top three skaters
finishing within .03 seconds of each other. Shani Davis (Chicago), who
also is a member of the U.S. Short Track World Cup Team, captured the victory
with a time of 1 minute 46.76 seconds. KC Boutiette (Tacoma, Wash.) finished
second with a time of 1:46.78 while Chris Callis (Sudlersville, Md.) finished
third with a time of 1:46.79.
Jennifer
Rodriguez (Miami) picked up her second victory of the event by posting
a time of 1:55.80 seconds in the ladies' 1500-meters. Yesterday, Rodriguez
earned a gold medal in the 1000-meters.
Action
resumes on Monday at 10 a.m. MST at the Utah Olympic Oval with the ladies'
and men's 1000-meter races, the ladies' 3000-meters, and the men's 5000-meters.
Ticket prices are $4 for adults and $2 for children under 12 and seniors.
Saturday's
Results
Ladies'
500-meters-1, Becky Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 38.59 seconds. 2, Jennifer
Rodriguez, Miami, 38.67. 3, Amy Sannes, St. Paul, Minn., 39.48. 4, Elli
Ochowicz, Waukesha, Wis., 39.52. 5, Annie Driscoll, Roseville, Minn., 40.21.
6, Eva Rodansky, Woodhaven, Mich., 40.33. 7, Sarah Elliott, Oconomowoc,
Wis., 40.36. 8, Julie Glass, Seattle, 40.63. 9, Erin Porter, Saratoga Springs,
N.Y., 40.93. 10, Maria Lamb, River Falls, Wis., 41.15.
Men's
500-meters-1, Joey Cheek, Greensboro, N.C., 35.16 seconds. 2, Nick Pearson,
Vernon, Wis., 35.58. 3, Chris Callis, Sudlersville, Md., 36.05. 4, Shani
Davis, Chicago, Ill., 36.19. 5, Tucker Fredricks, Janesville, Wis., 36.30.
6, K.C. Boutiette, Tacoma, Wash., 36.48. 7, Derek Parra, San Bernardino,
Calif., 36.57. 8, Eric Krantz, Elgin, Ill., 36.63. 9, Tim Hoffmann, Waukesha,
Wis., 36.85. 10, Brady Thompson, Franklin, Wis., 36.89.
Ladies'
1500-meters-1, Rodriguez, 1 minute, 55.80 seconds. 2, Sundstrom, 1:57.36.
3, Rodansky, 1:59.91. 4, Kristine Holzer, Boise, Idaho, 2:01.60. 5, Driscoll,
2:02.52. 6, Lamb, 2:02.63. 7, Elliott, 2:03.10. 8, Shana Sundstrom, Glen
Ellyn, Ill., 2:03.28. 9, Glass, 2:03.45. 10, Heidi Stangl, Andover, Minn.,
2:03.58.
Men's
1,500-meters-1, Davis, 1 minute, 46.76 seconds. 2, Boutiette, 1:46.78.
3, Callis, 1:46.79. 4, Hoffmann, 1:47.87. 5, Thompson, 1:48.89. 6, Matthew
Passarella, Fon du Lac, Wis., 1:49.92. 7, Nate DiPalma, Albuquerque, N.M.,
1:50.45. 8, Clay Mull, Gastonia, N.C., 1:50.83.9, Chad Hedrick, Houston,
1:51.41. 10, Lucas Mills, Washington, D.C., 1:52.61.
###
-
Cheek,
Sundstrom, and Rodriguez Winners on First Day of U.S. Championships
KEARNS,
Utah, December 27, 2002-Joey Cheek (Greensboro, N.C.), Becky Sundstrom
(Glen Ellyn, Ill.), and Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami) posted wins on the opening
day of the U.S. Long Track Championships at the Utah Olympic Oval.
Cheek,
a bronze medalist in the 1000-meters at the 2002 Salt Lake Games, captured
victories in the men's 500- and 1000-meters on Friday.
Cheek
skated a time of 35.30 seconds in the 500-meters to earn his first victory
of the day. Nick Pearson (Vernon, Wis.) finished second with a time of
35.72 seconds while Chris Callis (Sudlersville, Md.) took third with a
time of 36.08.
Later
in the day, Cheek recorded a time of 1 minute 8.60 seconds to finish first
in the men's 1000-meters. Callis finished second with a time of 1:09.34
while Pearson was third with a time of 1:10.00.
Times
from today's 500- and 1000-meter competitions will be combined with tomorrow's
500-meters and Monday's 1000-meters to determine the U.S. Sprint Champion.
The top three skaters in the men's standings will compete in the World
Sprint Championships Jan. 18-19 in Calgary, Alberta. Kip Carpenter (Brookfield,
Wis.) has prequalified for the World Sprint Championships based on his
current World Cup standings.
In
the ladies' competition, Becky Sundstrom (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) captured the
500-meters with a time of 38.49 seconds. Rodriguez finished second with
a time of 38.95. Amy Sannes (St. Paul, Minn.) skated a time of 39.11 to
finish third.
Rodriguez
and Sundstrom exchanged positions in the 1000-meters, as Rodriguez won
the event with a time of 1:15.64 and Sundstrom placed second with a time
of 1:16.11. Sannes was third with a time of 1:17.20.
The
top three skaters ladies' standings will land positions at the World Sprint
Championships. The third position will be required to a skate off versus
Chris Witty (West Allis, Wis.). Witty was scratched from the competition
today due to the flu. Witty is eligible to skate off against the
third-place qualifier at the Salt Lake World Cup to be held Jan. 10-12.
The final start position will be determined by each skaters' combined point
total from his or her best 500- and 1000-meter competion. Witty is
eligible to a skate off due to recording a top-eight finish at the 2002
Olympic Winter Games. Witty won the gold medal in the 1000-meters.
Action
resumes tomorrow at 10 a.m. MST at the Utah Olympic Oval. The men's and
ladies' 500- and 1500-meter competitions will take place. Ticket prices
are $4 for adults and $2 for children under 12 and seniors.
Friday's
Results
Ladies'
500-meters-1, Becky Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 38.49 seconds. 2, Jennifer
Rodriguez, Miami, 38.95. 3, Amy Sannes, St. Paul, Minn., 39.11. 4,
Elli Ochowicz, Menlo Park, Calif., 39.54. 5, Annie Driscoll, Roseville,
Minn., 40.19. 6, Sarah Elliott, Oconomowoc, Wis., 40.30. 7, Becky Lang,
Waupaca, Wis., 41.42. 8, Becky Bradford, Apple Valley, Minn., 41.51. 9,
Sara Goff, Madison, Wis., 41.97. 10, Sarah Parker, Roseville, Minn., 42.05.
Men's
500-meters-1, Joey Cheek, Greensboro, N.C., 35.30. 2, Nick Pearson, Vernon,
Wis., 35.72. 3, Chris Callis, Sudlersville, Md., 36.08. 4, Tucker Fredricks,
Janesville, Md., 36.27. 5, Derek Parra, San Bernardino, Calif., 36.80.
6, Eric Krantz, Elgin, Ill., 36.88. 7, Lucas Mills, Washington, D.C., 36.97.
8, Matt Kooreman, 37.68. 9, Rusty Smith, Sunset Beach, Calif., 37.77. 10,
Tim Hoffmann, Waukesha, Wis., 37.93.
Ladies'
1000-meters-1, Rodriguez, 1 minute 15.64 seconds. 2, Sundstrom, 1:16.11.
3, Sannes, 1:17.20. 4, Ochowicz, 1:18.02. 5, Elliott, 1:18.55. 6,
Driscoll, 1:19.45. 7, Lang, 1:21.75. 8, Bradford, 1:22.53. 9, Nancy Swider-Peltz,
Jr., Wheaton, Ill., 1:22.82. 10, Goff, 1:23.87.
Men's
1000-meters-1, Cheek, 1:08.60. 2, Callis, 1:09.34. 3, Pearson, 1:10.00.
4, Hoffmann, 1:10.79. 5, Krantz, 1:11.34. 6, Matthew Passarella, Fon du
Lac, Wis., 1:11.53. 7, Fredricks, 1:12.16. 8, Parra, 1:12.41. 9, Kooreman,
1:12.60. 10, Smith, 1:13.39.
###
-
Parra
Wins Bronze, Sits Atop World Cup
1500-meter Standings
HEERENVEEN,
Netherlands, November 23, 2002-Derek Parra (San Bernardino, Calif.) retained
his first-place ranking in the World Cup standings in the 1500-meters with
a bronze medal on Saturday.
Parra
finished third with a time of 1 minute 48.18 seconds. The Netherlands Erben
Wennemars won the race with a time of 1:46.63.
"It
was a little bit of a struggle that last lap, but it was good to be back
on the podium again today," Parra
said.
"This whole World Cup trip, the last three weekends, has been the opposite
of what I expected. The results have been much better than what I hoped
for. And now I'm finishing these Fall World Cups in first place overall
in the 1500 with a bit of a cushion. It feels good."
Today's
finish gives Parra 290 points in the men's 1500-meters standings. Russia's
Yevgeny Lalenkov is second in the standings with 260 points, followed by
Wennemars with 240.
Parra
has won one gold medal and two bronze medals Fall World Cup 1500-meter
competitions.
Chris
Callis (Sudlersville, Md.) gave the United States two top-10 finishers
in the event. Callis placed sixth with a time of 1:49.10.
Callis
is currently ranked eighth in the World Cup 1500-meters standings with
108 points. Tim Hoffmann (Waukesha, Wis.) is ranked 11th in the 1500-meter
standings with 85 points. He placed 20th overall in the 1500-meters with
a time of 1:51.20.
KC
Boutiette (Tacoma,
Wash.) won the men's Division B 1500-meters with a time of 1:50.48 while
Brady Thompson (Franklin, Wis.) placed seventh with a time of 1:52.00.
"It
was a good solid race. I didn't know what to expect," Boutiette said
of his first race on the World Cup circuit this season. "I'm really happy
that I get to come back in the winter (next allround World Cup, Baselga
di Pine, Italy, February 15-16, 2003) and compete in Group A now."
Catherine
Raney (Elm Grove, Wis.) was the top American female on Saturday, placing
ninth in the 5000-meters with a time of 7 minutes 16.18 seconds.
Raney is currently ranked sixth in the ladies' 3000/5000-meter standings
with 147 points.
Germany's
Claudia Pechstein won the race with a time of 7:02.91.
Kristine
Holzer (Boise, Idaho) placed 10th in the ladies' Division B 5000-meters
competition with a time of 7:35.86 while Sarah Elliott (Oconomowoc, Wis.)
was 18th with a time of 7:56.26.
"Once
again, [we had] some great performances," U.S. Speedskating National Coach
Tom Cushman said of the Saturday's competition. "We now have four
skaters in the top 25 in the men's 1500. From veterans like Derek
and KC to up-and-comers like Brady, Chris, and Catherine, this has already
been a great World Cup trip and we've still got another day of racing to
go."
Tomorrow
action resumes with the ladies' 1500-meters and the men's 10,000-meters.
Saturday
Results
Complete
Results: http://www.scg-nl.nl/events/speedskating/2002-2003/worldcup/heerenveen/index.html
Ladies'
Division A 5000-meters-1, Claudia Pechstein, Germany, 7 minutes 2.91 seconds.
2, Clara Hughes, Canada, 7:04.35. 3, Barbara de Loor, Netherlands, 7:10.09.
American: 9, Catherine Raney, Elm Grove, Wis., 7:16.18.
Ladies'
Division B 5000-meters-1, Claudia Irrgang, Germany, 7:15.86. 2, Helen
van Goozen, Netherlands, 7:18.00. 3, Galina Likhachova, 7:26.75. Americans:
10, Kristine Holzer, Boise, Idaho, 7:35.86. 18, Sarah Elliott, Oconomowoc,
Wis., 7:56.26.
Men's
Division A 1500-meters-1, Erben Wennemars, Netherlands, 1 minute 46.63
seconds. 2, Yevgeny Lalenkov, Russia, 1:47.28. 3, Derek Parra, San Bernardino,
Calif., 1:48.18. Other Americans: 6, Chris Callis, Sudlersville, Md., 1:49.10.
20, Tim Hoffmann, Waukesha, Wis., 1:51.20.
Men's
Division B 1500-meter-1, KC Boutiette, Tacoma, Wash., 1:50.48. 2, Ivan
Skobrev, Russia, 1:50.60. 3, Takiro Ushiyama, Japan, 1:50.96. Other American:
7, Brady Thompson, Franklin, Wis., 1:52.00.
###
Rodriguez
Posts Fourth-place Finish in World Cup 1500-meters
HEERENVEEN,
Netherlands, November 24, 2002-Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami) was the top American
in Sunday's World Cup action, placing fourth in the 1500-meters.
Rodriguez
missed third place by .09 seconds, skating a time of 1 minute 58.98 seconds.
The Netherlands' Annamarie Thomas captured the bronze medal with a time
of 1:58.89.
Canada's
Cindy Klassen won the race with a time of 1:57.72. Klassen leads the ladies'
1500-meter standings with 350 points. Rodriguez is ranked third with 220
points.
Catherine
Raney (Elm Grove, Wis.) was the other American in the 1500-meters
Division A competition. She finished 15th with a time of 2:01.73.
Derek
Parra (San Bernardino, Calif.) was the top American male on Sunday, finishing
16th in the 10,000-meters with a time of 13 minutes 59.78 seconds.
The
Netherlands' Carl Verheijen, who posted a time of 13:30.53, won the competition.
Chris
Callis (Sudlersville, Md.) was the other American male in the men's 10,000-meters
Division A, skating a time of 14:44.55 to place 20th.
"We
had some tough races today, but one poor day in seven days of racing is
not too bad," U.S. Speedskating National Coach Tom Cushman said of today's
races. "It's good to see where we stack up against the best in the
world, so we know where we need work. Overall we've had a great trip--even
more successful than anyone had though possible."
The
next allround World Cup competition will take place in Baselga di Pine,
Italy on February 15-16.
Sunday's
Results
Complete
Results: http://www.scg-nl.nl/events/speedskating/2002-2003/worldcup/heerenveen/index.html
Ladies'
Division A 1500-meters-1, Cindy Klassen, Canada, 1 minute 57.72 seconds.
2, Claudia Pechstein, Germany, 1:58.82. 3, Annamarie Thomas, Netherlands,
1:58.89. Americans: 4, Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami, 1:58.98. 15, Catherine
Raney, Elm Grove, Wis., 2:01.73.
Ladies'
Division B 1500-meters-1, Nami Nemoto, Japan, 2:02.01. 2, Svetlana Vysokova,
Russia, 2:02.58. 3, Galna Likhachova, Russia, 2:03.81. Americans: 18, Sarah
Elliott, Oconomowoc, Wis., 2:06.29. 20, Kristine Holzer, Boise, Idaho,
2:07.32. 22, Eva Rodansky, Woodhaven, Mich., 2:09.04.
Men's
Division A 10,000-meters-1, Carl Verheijen, Netherlands, 13 minutes
30.53 seconds. 2, Lasse Saetre, Norway, 13:31.29. 3, Bob de Jong, 13:31.60.
Americans: 16, Derek Parra, San Bernardino, Calif., 13:59.78. 20, Chris
Callis, Sudlersville, Md., 14:44.55.
Men's
Division B 10,000-meters-1, Artyom Detyshev, Russia, 13:35.52. 2, Henk
Angenent, Netherlands, 13:35.54. 3, Enrico Fabris, Italy, 13:43.71. American:
23, Brady Thompson, Franklin, Wis., 15:06.06.
-
Parra
Wins World Cup Allround Competition; Rodriguez
Finishes Third Overall
ERFURT,
Germany, November 17, 20002-Derek Parra (San Bernardino, Calif.) won this
weekend's men's World Cup allround competition while Jennifer Rodriguez
(Miami) finished third in the ladies' final overall standings.
Parra
captured the men's competition with 150.440 points. Parra finished sixth
in today's 5000-meters. Parra skated a time of 6 minutes 34.21 seconds.
The Netherlands' Carl Verheijen won the race with a time of 6:27.44.
During
the three-day competition, Parra reached the podium twice. He earned a
silver medal in Friday's 500-meters and finished first in the 1500-meters
yesterday.
Chris
Callis (Sudlersville, Md.) finished fifth overall in the final standings
with 152.235 points. Callis was second in the Division B 5000-meters competition
with a time of 6:36.29.
Tim
Hoffmann (Waukesha, Wis.) and Brady Thompson (Franklin, Wis.) placed 11th
(153.675) and 18th (155.001), respectively.
Rodriguez
was the top American female with her third-place overall finish. Rodriguez
registered 160.376 points. Canada's Cindy Klassen won the ladies' competition
with 157.950.
During
the weekend, Rodriguez collected two medals. On Friday, she reached the
podium with a second-place finish in the 500-meters while yesterday she
earned a silver medal in the 1500-meters.
Today,
Rodriguez posted a fourth-place finish in the ladies' 1500-meters with
a time of 1 minute 59.56 seconds. Germany's Annie Friesinger (1:59.51)
edged out Rodriguez by .05 seconds for the bronze medal.
Klassen
won the event with a time of 1:58.47.
Catherine
Raney (Elm Grove, Wis.), who finished 15th in the 1500-meters with a time
of 2:02.46, finished 14th overall with 164.720 points.
Kristine
Holzer (Boise, Idaho) finished 33rd with 172.021 points.
World
Cup action resumes next Saturday in Heerenveen, Netherlands.
Sunday's
Results
Complete
Results: http://www.eisevents-erfurt.de/wc/ergeb/index.html
Ladies'
Division A 1500-meters-1, Cindy Klassen, Canada, 1 minute 58.47 seconds.
2, Claudia Pechstein, Germany, 1:58.50. 3, Annie Friesinger, Germany, 1:59.51.
Americans: 4, Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami, 1:59.56. 15, Catherine Raney,
Elm Grove, Wis., 2:02.46. 17, Sarah Elliott, Oconomowoc, Wis., 2:02.52.
20, Amy Sannes, St. Paul, Minn., 2:05.48.
Ladies'
Division B 1500-meters-1, Erika Seo, Japan, 2:02.34. 2, Valentina Yakshina,
Russia, 2:02.56. 3, Nami Nemoto, Japan, 2:02.82. Americans: 17, Eva Rodansky,
Woodhaven, Mich., 2:04.79. 22, Kristine Holzer, Boise, Idaho, 2:06.27.
Ladies'
Final Standings-1, Klassen, 157.950 points. 2, Pechstein, 160.368.
3, Rodriguez, 160.376. Other Americans: 14, Raney, 164.720. 33, Holzer,
172.021.
Men's
Division A 5000-meters-1, Carl Verheijen, Netherlands, 6 minutes 27.44
seconds. 2, Bob de Jong, Netherlands, 6:28.39. 3, Jochem Uytdehaage, Netherlands,
6:32.12. American: 6, Derek Parra, San Bernardino, Calif., 6:34.21.
Men's
Division B 5000-meters-1, Toshihiko Itokawa, Japan, 6:34.57. 2, Chris Callis,
Sudlersville, Md., 6:36.29. 3, Hiroki Hirako, Japan, 6:37.82. Other Americans:
17, Brady Thompson, Franklin, Wis., 6:46.13. 19, Tim Hoffmann, Waukesha,
Wis., 6:46.61.
Men's
Final Standings-1, Parra, 150.440. 2, Verheijen, 151.420. 3, Uytdehaage,
151.653. Other Americans: 5, Callis, 152.235. 11, Hoffmann, 153.675. 18,
Thompson, 155.001.
-
Rodriguez Wins
World Cup Bronze Medal in 1500-meters
HAMAR,
Norway, November 10, 2002-The United States picked up its second bronze
medal in as many days at the season-opening long track speedskating World
Cup. Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami) earned a bronze medal in the ladies' 1500-meters.
Yesterday, Derek Parra (San Bernardino, Calif.) picked up a bronze medal
in the men's 1500-meters.
Rodriguez,
who earned bronze medals in the 1000- and 1500-meters at the 2002 Olympic
Winter Games, skated a time of 1 minute 58.86 seconds to reach the podium.
The ladies' 1500-meters race was tightly contested. Cindy Klassen of Canada
was the winner by 0.75 seconds over Germany's Claudia Pechstein (1:58.82).
Rodriguez finished just 0.04 seconds behind Pechstein.
"It
was a great way to start out the season," Rodriguez said. "It was a solid
race and now I have something to build on. I'm happy with it!"
Catherine
Raney (Elm Grove, Wis.) joined Rodriguez in the top 10. Raney placed 10th
with a time of 2:01.78. Amy Sannes (St. Paul, Minn.) finished 17th with
a time of 2:02.74, Sarah Elliott (Oconomowoc, Wis.) placed 18th with a
time of 2:03.00. Eva Rodansky (Woodhaven, Mich.) was 29th with a time of
2:04.79.
In
men's action, Parra was the top American. Parra skated to a seventh-place
finish in the 5000-meters with a time of 6 minutes 36.22 seconds.
"I
was shocked again today by how high I placed," Parra said. "I was
pretty happy with the race, it was only the last few laps that got away
from me."
The
Netherlands' Gianni Romme won the race with a time of 6:28.39.
In
the men's Division B 5000-meters, Tim Hoffmann (Waukesha, Wis.) the top
American, placing ninth with a time of 6:43.54. Chris Callis (Sudlersville,
Md.) was 10th with a time of 6:43.76 while Brady Thompson (Franklin, Wis.)
was 21st, posting a time of 6:50.41.
Russia's
Andrey Burlyaev, who skated a time of 6:35.89, won the men's Division B
race.
U.S.
Speedskating National Coach Tom Cushman was pleased with the team's overall
performance at the season-opening World Cup.
"We
skated very strong this weekend," Cushman said. "Sarah Elliott, Chris Callis
and Tim Hoffmann have all moved up to group 1 (Division A) in World Cups
now and all are up and coming talent in this post-Olympic year. Plus
our veterans like Derek and Jen have returned and are back on the podium.
It's a great start to the four-year build to Torino."
World
Cup action resumes this Friday in Erfurt, Germany.
Sunday's
Results
Complete
Results at: http://www.scg-nl.nl/events/speedskating/2002-2003/worldcup/hamar/
Ladies'
1500-meters-1, Cindy Klassen, Canada, 1 minute 58.07. 2, Claudia Pechstein,
Germany, 1:58.82. 3, Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami, 1:58.86. Other Americans:
10, Catherine Raney, Elm Grove, Wis., 2:01.78. 17, Amy Sannes, St. Paul,
Minn., 2:02.74. 18, Sarah Elliott, Oconomowoc, Wis., 2:03.00. 29, Eva Rodansky,
Woodhaven, Mich., 2:04.79.
Men's
Division A 5000-meters-1, Gianni Romme, Netherlands, 6 minutes 28.39 seconds.
2, Bob de Jong, Netherlands, 6:28.46. 3, Carl Verheijen, Netherlands, 6:33.09.
American: 7, Derek Parra, San Bernardino, Calif., 6:36.22.
Men's
Division B 5000-meters-1, Andrey Burlyaev, Russia, 6:35.89. 2, Johan Rojler,
Sweden, 6:38.53. 3, Marco Weber, Germany, 6:38.99. Americans: 9, Tim Hoffmann,
Waukesha, Wis., 6:43.54. 10, Chris Callis, Sudlersville, Md., 6:43.76.
21, Brady Thompson, Franklin, Wis., 6:50.41.
###
Parra
Claims Bronze at Season-opening World Cup; Four Americans Place in Top
10
HAMAR,
Norway, November 9, 2002-Derek Parra (San Bernardino, Calif.) claimed a
bronze medal in the men's 1500-meters on opening day of the long track
World Cup season.
Parra,
who won a gold medal in the 1500-meters and a silver in the 5000-meters
at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, skated a time of 1 minute 48.84 seconds
to finish third.
"I
was happy with the placement but not the race itself. I have a lot
to work on," Parra said. "So I was surprised I finished as high as I did.
The 5000 tomorrow will be the real test."
Russia's
Yevgeny Lalenkov won the event with a time of 1:47.39.
Two
other American skaters joined Parra in the top 10. Tim Hoffmann (Waukesha,
Wis.) placed sixth with a time of 1:49.28 while Chris Callis (Sudlersville,
Md.) finished eighth, posting a time of 1:49.39.
"It
was a really good race for me," said Hoffmann. "It hurt bad the last
500-meters but I saw Chris go out and set the best time of the day and
I just decided I could go after it, too."
Callis
was also pleased after his first top-10 finish at a World Cup competition.
"I
was happy with the race-it was long overdue," Callis said. "Yesterday
was my birthday, so I guess it was kind of a present to myself."
In
his World Cup debut, Brady Thompson (Franklin, Wis.) placed 26th with a
time of 1:51.80.
Catherine
Raney (Elm Grove, Wis.) was the top American female skater. Raney finished
seventh in the ladies 3000-meters with a time of 4 minutes 13.60 seconds.
The finish was her highest ever in a World Cup.
"I
thought it was good," Raney said. "The coolest part was being able
to race Clara Hughes from Canada, because she is a training partner and
that made it more relaxed, and more fun, too!"
Kristine
Holzer (Boise, Idaho) finished 19th, skating a time of 4:22.17.
Claudia
Pechstein of Germany won the race with a time of 4:05.00.
In
the Division B 3000-meters, Eva Rodansky (Woodhaven, Mich.) placed 13th
with a time of 4:29.51.
The
United States performance pleased U.S. Speedskating National Coach Tom
Cushman.
"Chris
and Tim had break through races today. I think they see now that
they can compete with the best in the world and I expect that will keep
them pushing hard all season long," Cushman said. "Even the rookie
Brady Thompson, in his first World Cup ever, went out and skated a great
race. He looked like a veteran. And with Catherine's great finish
and Derek's medal, it was a really strong day of racing."
The
men's 5000-meters and the ladies' 1500-meters are on tomorrow's slate.
Sunday's action concludes the two-day event.
Saturday's
Results
Complete
Results can be found at: http://www.scg-nl.nl/events/speedskating/2002-2003/worldcup/hamar/index.html
Ladies'
Division A 3000-meters-1, Claudia Pechstein, Germany, 4 minutes 5.00 seconds.
2, Barbara de Loor, Netherlands, 4:08.54. 3, Cindy Klassen, Canada, 4:10.12.
Americans: 7, Catherine Raney, Elm Grove, Wis., 4:13.60. 19, Kristine Holzer,
Boise, Idaho, 4:22.17.
Ladies'
Division B 3000-meters-1, Eun-Bi Bak, Korea, 4:18.87. 2, Tara Risling,
Canada, 4:19.46. 3, Emese Dorfler-Antal, Austria, 4:20.25. American: 13,
Eva Rodansky, Woodhaven, Mich., 4:29.51.
Men's
1500-meters-1, Yevgeny Lalenkov, Russia, 1 minute 47.39 seconds. 2, Erben
Wennemars, Netherlands, 1:48.30. 3, Derek Parra, San Bernardino, Calif.,
1:48.84. Other Americans: 6, Tim Hoffmann, Waukesha, Wis., 1:49.28. 8,
Chris Callis, Sudlersville, Md., 1:49.39. 26, Brady Thompson, Franklin,
Wis., 1:51.80.
###
-
Chris Thorpe
- Four time US Olympic slider and
double medalist (Bronze '02, Silver - '98) Chris Thorpe has signed on with
Q Sports, adding to our ever growing collection of Olympic Champions.
Thorpe is one of the most decorated athletes in the history of the sport
of luge and is now Q Sports' most experienced Olympian. Chris has
his eyes on a fifth Olympic birth in 2006. Between now and then watch
for him on the X-Games side of Q Sports in street luge. For more
info about Chris, visit his webpage here.
-
Q Sports relocates
(again)- In an effort to be closer to the past, present
and future Olympians who, thanks to the incredible facilities built for
the Olympic Games, now call Salt Lake City home, Q Sports has relocated
the main office to Salt Lake City:
-
4022 South 1500 East
-
Salt Lake City, UT 84214
-
phone: 801-274-3630
-
The GAP
- As seen in SPORTS
ILLUSTRATED, VANITY FAIR, IN STYLE and the GAP store location in
your neighborhood (across the USA) are speedskating's heros of Olympics
gone by Eric Heiden (5 Gold Medals in Lake Placid - 1980) and Dan
Jansen (Gold in Lillihammer - 1994) along with Derek
Parra. The three shot the ad campaign
in late spring in NYC along with a host of other celebrities including
Willie Nelson, Selma Heyak and Sissy Spacek. The ads will run
throughout the fall.
-
Latina
Magazine - Latina Magazine
recently selected Jennifer Rodriguez
as one of this year's "10 Most Influential Latinas".
Watch for J-Rod's interview profiling her effect on the Hispanic Community
in an upcoming issue. Jennifer was also recently nominted by
Hispanic Business Magazine as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Hispanics
in the US (see below).
-
Team Xerox
- September, 2002 -Joey
Cheek and Derek
Parra have each solidified seperate agreements
with Xerox. Both athletes will join "Team Xerox", a collection of
elite summer and winter Olympians who regularly appear on behalf of Xerox
at corporate and charity functions across the country. Mike Eruzione
(hockey - Gold Medal - 1980), John Neighbor (swimming - 4 Gold Medals)
and Cammi Grannato (hockey - Gold Medal - 1998, Silver Medal 2002)
are all part of the current team. For more information visist the
Team Xerox website at:
http://www.gkls.xerox.com/olympics/
-
Cheek
Honors 9/11 - Raleigh,
NC - September 11, 2002-
As
seen on NBC-TV, Joey Cheek
delivered
a speech remembering the victims of 9/11 and honoring the policemen, fireman
and rescue workers who serve our nation every day. In the address,
Cheek thanked these public servants for their support before, during and
since the Olympic Games and honored them as "America's True Heros".
-
CHEEK
and PARRA on "TODAY" -
Monday
8/12/02 - During a recent visit to New York City for "Skate Week presented
by NIKE" (see below), Joey Cheek, Derek
Parra and fellow Olympian Rusty Smith
stopped by the set of the Today Show to catch up with Katie Couric.
Both Cheek and Parra have visited before, this marks Joey's third Today
Show appearance and Derek's fifth. In addition to their Olympic accomplishments,
both Joey and Derek are former champion inline skaters, so they gave Katie
a not-so-private skating lesson on nationwide TV.
-
Honorees
Announced for the 16th Annual Hispanic
Heritage Awards PR News Wire via DowVision 1 Aug
12:47
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- What
do an international recording star, an Olympic gold medal winner,
a prominent theologian, an esteemed novelist, a successful publisher, and
six 18-year-old students have in common? They are all winners of this year's
coveted Hispanic Heritage Awards, presented by the Hispanic Heritage Awards
Foundation (HHAF) during an elegant evening of heartfelt tributes and entertainment
at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts on September 20, 2002.
"This year's Hispanic Heritage Awards
promises to be a very special evening filled with the best the Hispanic
community has to offer in terms of role-models
and a celebration of our heritage," said
Jose Antonio Tijerino, Executive Director of HHAF.
The awards will be aired October 12, 2002
on NBC stations in most major markets as a one-hour special. 2002
Hispanic Heritage Awards recipients
include:
-- Ricky Martin, The Arts:
Of Puerto Rican decent, Ricky is an
internationally
acclaimed recording artist and entertainer.
-- Derek Parra, Sports - This
32-year-old speed skater became the first
Mexican-American
to compete in and medal during the 2002 Olympic Games.
-- Father Virgilio Elizondo, Education
- A Mexican-American theologian
from San Antonio,
Texas.
-- Julia Alvarez, Literature -
A best-selling novelist
-- Lisa Quiroz, Leadership - Of
Puerto Rican and Mexican decent, Lisa is
the founder and
publisher of People en Espanol.
Other confirmed celebrity participants
include Judy Reyes from NBC's Scrubs, Soledad O'Brien, anchor of Weekend
Today; Wilmer Valderrama from That 70's Show; Mario Lopez from The Other
Half; Maria Celeste Arraras, host of Al Rojo Vivo; and Mexican-born singing
sensation Thalia.
Also honored at the Hispanic Heritage Awards
ceremony will be six students, winners of the Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards.
...click here for more from Billboard.com
http://www.billboard.com/billboard/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1574695
-
Congratulations
Jennifer Rodriguez and Derek Parra -
Hispanic
Business Magazine has nominated them to be part of it's 2002 listing of
the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in the United States! The
final list will appear in the October issue.
-
Skate
with the Olympians 2002 Olympic Medal
Winning Speedskaters Derek
Parra, Joey Cheek and Rusty Smith will
be coming through New York City August 8, 9, 10 for USA Roller Sports
Skate Week, presented by Nike. The events kick off
with a press conference at Central Park's Wollman Rink on Thursday morning,
beginning at 10:30 am. Saturday afternoon from 12:00-2:00pm is your
chance to skate with the Olympians in Central Park!
-
The
President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports -
Washington DC - The White House - June 20, 2002 - Q Sporter Derek Parra
joined an elite group of who's who in fitness and sports as a new appointee
to the President's Council. Now officially a Special Government Employee,
Parra will begin a two year term as a council member. Joining him
are football legends Lynn Swann and Emmit Smith, USOC CEO Llyod Ward, fellow
Olympic stars Marion Jones and Dot Richardson and a handful of other elite
names from the fitness and sports world.
read
more here...
-
Joey
Cheek Wallpaper - The USOC, in conjunction with Allsport
Photography has created "wallpaper" images of some of our Olympic Heros...including
Joey Cheek, Jen Rodriguez and Derek Parra.
-
get it here -
-
2002
OLYMPIC GOLD & SILVER MEDALIST DEREK PARRA NAMED OFFICIAL SPOKESPERSON
OF BIG BEAR MOUNTAIN PREMIUM SPRING WATER
Sponsorship Gives Parra Financial Backing
to Pursue Olympic Gold in 2006
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – May 17, 2002 –
The San Manuel Bottled Water Group, the latest economic enterprise of the
San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and the Inland Empire’s newest bottled
water producer, today introduced Olympic gold medalist Derek Parra as the
official spokesperson for Big Bear Mountain Premium Spring Water at a press
conference. The San Bernardino native also announced that the sponsorship
will allow him the opportunity and financial backing to train and defend
his Salt Lake City gold and silver medal speed skating performance at the
2006 Olympics in Torino, Italy.
"It's a very exciting time in my life,"
said Derek Parra, the first Mexican-American to both compete and medal
in any Olympic Winter Games. "Coming out of the Olympics, my wife and I
had pretty much decided that my competitive skating career was over.
It was time to come home, get a job and move on with life. Now, thanks
to the support of Big Bear Mountain Premium Spring Water and the San Manuel
Band of Mission Indians I will be
able to support my family AND train for
2006. This kind of support is something that most Olympic athletes
dream of, but very few ever receive. I’m so grateful that Big Bear
has rallied behind me – both for me and the City of San Bernardino.
They truly are helping to keep this dream alive."
The four-year agreement reached with Big
Bear Mountain Premium Spring Water includes health insurance for Derek,
his wife, Tiffany, and newborn daughter, Mia. Derek will also participate
in and serve as an “ambassador” to the community at a number of Big Bear
Mountain Premium Spring Water-sponsored events.
“We are very pleased to have Derek as our
spokesperson and join the Big Bear Mountain Premium Spring Water family,”
said Peter Willis, San Manuel Bottled Water Group general manager.
“The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians have a rich tradition of supporting
the local community. We’re proud to partner with Derek and provide
the financial support he needs to train and bring another gold home to
San Bernardino in 2006.”
A billboard at the San Bernardino Stampede’s
stadium was also unveiled in recognition of Parra. Local San Bernardino
businesses including Big Bear Mountain Premium Spring Water, the San Manuel
Band of Mission Indians and Stater Bros. supermarkets , partnered with
the San Bernardino Stampede minor league baseball club to produce the 60-foot
tall “building wrap” billboard.
About San Manuel Bottled Water Group and
Big Bear Mountain Premium Spring Water
San Manuel Bottled Water Group, an economic
enterprise of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, produces Big Bear
Mountain Premium Spring Water. The San Manuel Bottled Water Group
embarked on its mission to share the same crisp, refreshing and clean tasting
water that the Tribe’s native ancestors have enjoyed for centuries.
Big Bear Mountain Premium Spring Water comes from isolated springs that
have been protected by people living in harmony with the environment everyday,
and is the only spring water in Southern California bottled at the source.
Distributed initially within the Inland
Empire, Big Bear Mountain Premium Spring Water can now be found at local
markets including Stater Bros. supermarkets and Albertson’s, and is available
in a number of convenient sizes for consumers. Big Bear Mountain
Premium Spring Water is also available in 3-and 5-gallon bottles for home
and office delivery within the Inland Empire. To order home or office delivery,
visit www.bigbearspring.com or call 1-866-DRINK-H2O or 1-888-MTN-PURE.
-
J-Rod
Heads for Europe with TVM
-
May,
2002 - Jennifer Rodriguez will be heading for Europe to train with Team
TVM - the professional speedskating team named after a prominent Dutch
insurance provider. J-Rod will be reunited with famed Dutch coach
Gerard Kemkers. Gerard coached the American team heading into the
1998 Olympics in Nagano, where Jen made her Olympic debut.
-
Jennifer
Rodriguez and KC Boutiette Wedding - April 13, South
Beach Miami, FL - In a beautiful ceremony just off the beach in sun drenched
South Beach Miami, J-Rod and Bootie made it official - they are now the
fastest husband and wife on earth! The ceremony was well attended
by Olympians from around the world. After a quick honeymoon speedskating's
newest couple got back to what they do best..training to go even faster.
-
Parra
Finishes Third Overall at World Allround Championships HEERENVEEN,
Netherlands, March 17, 2002-The United States completed its most
successful World Allround Speedskating Championships in recent history
as Derek Parra (San Bernardino, Calif.) finished third overall in the men's
final standings and Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami) was fourth in the ladies'
final standings. Parra, who entered the day in third place in the overall
standings through three events (500-, 1500, and 5000-meters), finished
seventh in the 10,000-meters with a time of 13 minutes 48.71 seconds to
secure third in the overall standings.
On Friday, Parra finished
third in the 500 and seventh in the 5000, while yesterday he was second
in the 1500. Parra finished the weekend with 153.661 long samalog points.
The point total bettered his previous American record of 154.009 set January
14-16, 2000 in Calgary at the North American Regional Qualifier.
Parra's third place overall
finish was the first time since 1988 that an American male had reached
the podium in the final standings at the World Allrounds. In 1988, Eric
Flaim finished first while teammate Dave Silk was third overall. At this
year's Olympics, Parra earned a gold medal in the 1500-meters, which was
the United States' first medal in the event since Flaim's silver at the
1988 Olympic Winter Games. Parra also earned a silver medal at the Salt
Lake Games in the 5000-meters.
"This was a surprise, skating
this well after coming in so late from the States," Parra said. "This was
a unbelievable finish to an unbelievable season."
"Derek has had a stellar
season and finished it off very, very well. It is great to see how he has
improved and is still improving," U.S. National Allround Coach Bart Schouten
said. "It would be great if Derek could represent the United States four
more years in speedskating. He will be world-class throughout."
The Netherlands' Jochem Uytdehaage
won the 10,000-meters with a time of 13:27.25 to clinch the World Championship.
Uytdehaage finished with a World Record long samalog point total of 152.482
breaking the previous mark held by fellow countryman, Rintje Ritsma, who
earned 152.651 points on February 6-7, 1999 at the World Allround Speedskating
Championships.
Rodriguez's fourth-place
finish was the best showing at World Allrounds by an American since 1998
when she finished fifth overall.
"Jen had her highest finish
ever at the World Championship," U.S. Speedskating and Rodriguez's coach
Tom Cushman. "It was a tough 5000, but her goal was to stay in the top
and she sure did that."
Rodriguez, who won the 500-meters
on Friday and finished third in yesterday's 1500-meters, placed 11th in
the 5,000-meters with a time of 7 minutes 19.36 seconds.
Rodriguez, who won two bronze
medals at the 2002 Salt Lake Games, finished the event with an American
long samalog record of 163.735 points breaking her
previous record of 166.022
set on February 6-7, 1999 in Hamar, Norway at the World Allround Speed
Skating Championships.
Germany's Claudia Pechstein
won the 5000-meters with a time of 7:01.31. Pechstein's teammate Anni Friesinger
won her second straight overall title with 162.260 points.
"It was fun to see the U.S.
team perform so well overall," Schouten said. "The hard and good work the
skaters and coaches have done this year has paid of in both the Olympics
and both of the World Championships (Allrounds and Sprints)."
NOTE: This weekend's World
Allrounds will be broadcast on ABC Sports, Saturday, March 23rd at 3 p.m.
EST.
Sunday's Results
Ladies' 5000-meters-1, Claudia
Pechstein, Germany, 7 minutes 1.31 seconds. 2,Cindy Klassen, Canada, 7:04.86.
3, Anni Friesinger, 7:06.64. American:
11, Jennifer Rodriguez,
Miami, 7:19.36.
Ladies' Final Overall Standings-1,
Friesinger, 162.260 points. 2, Klassen, 162.472. 3, Pechstein, 163.114.
Americans: 5, Rodriguez, 163.735 (American Record). 14, Annie Driscoll,
Roseville, Minn., 125.136. 23, Catherine Raney,Elm Grove, Wis., 126.743.
Men's 10,000-meters-1, Jochem
Uytdehaage, Netherlands, 13 minutes 27.25 seconds. 2, Carl Verheijen, Netherlands,
13:34.30. 3, Pawel Zygmunt, Poland,
13:35.18. American: 7, Derek
Parra, San Bernardino, Calif., 13:48.71.
Men's Final Overall Standings-1,
Uytdehaage, 152.482 (World Record). 2, Dmitry Shepel, Russia, 153.116.
3, Parra, 153.661 (American Record). 14, J.P.
Shilling, Baltimore, 114.380.
21, Jondon Trevena, Fort Collins, Colo., 115.982.
-
Rodriguez
and Parra Each Earn Second Medal at World Allround Championships HEERENVEEN,
Netherlands, March 16, 2002-Derek Parra (San Bernardino, Calif.)and Jennifer
Rodriguez (Miami) each picked up their second medals of the World Allround
Championships on Saturday.
Parra, a bronze medal winner
in yesterday's 500-meters, earned a silver medal in the 1500-meters with
a time of 1 minute 48.56 seconds. The medal kept Parra in third place in
the overall standings with 112.226 points.
"Derek had an awesome race
in the 1500m today," U.S. National Allround Coach Bart Schouten said. "He
skated the best 700m of the entire field but then collided with Gianni
Romme (of the Netherlands) on the cross-over. Derek was interfered with,
lost speed, but still ended up winning the silver medal. Romme was later
disqualified. Parra would have been leading the rankings after three distances
if he would not have been interfered with, but is still in contention for
the World Championships title, currently sitting in third."
1500-meter winner Dmitry
Shepel of Russia won the event with the time of 1:48.44. Shepel's win moved
him into first place in the men's standings with 111.959 points.
The Netherlands' Jochem Uytdehaage is second with 112.120 points.
J.P. Shilling (Baltimore)
missed reaching the podium in the 1500-meters by .09 seconds. Shilling
skated a time of 1:49.58 to finish fifth. Shilling's performance moved
him from 14th to 10th in the overall standings with 114.380 points.
Jondon Trevena (Fort Collins,
Colo.) tied for 16th with a time of 1:51.51. He is ranked 20th in the overall
standings with 115.982 points.
In women's action, Rodriguez,
a gold medal winner in yesterday's 500-meters, earned a bronze in the 1500-meters
with a time of 1:57.71. The time puts Rodriguez in second place in the
overall standings with 119.799 points.
Germany's Anni Friesinger
won the event with a time of 1:56.43. Friesinger also won today's 3000-meters
with a time of 4 minutes 8.02 seconds to move her into first place in the
overall standings with 119.596 points.Rodriguez, who posted a time of 4:11.84,
placed sixth in the 3000-meters.
"I felt a little pain in
the 1500, but it seemed to go really good and I was surprised with my 3000."
Rodriguez said. "I just kept attacking and I had the energy to keep coming
back. I was only .6 seconds out of a medal in the 3000 and that is the
closest I have been all year."
"Jen went out to skate a
relaxed 1500 and save a little bit for the 3000, which seemed to work great,"
U.S. Speedskating and Rodriguez's coach Tom Cushman said. "She still medaled
in the 1500 and skated her best 3000 of the year. She is having a great
competition."
The United States' two other
women's competitors in the World Allrounds are Annie Driscoll (Roseville,
Minn.) and Catherine Raney (Elm Grove, Wis.).
Driscoll placed 17th in the
1500-meters with a time of 2:02.89 and 20th in the 3000-meters with
a time of 4:20.90. Driscoll stands 14th overall with 125.136 points.
Raney was 22nd in the 1500-meters
with a time of 2:04.18 while she finished 17th in the 3000-meters
with a time of 4:20.10. Raney is ranked 23rd overall with 126.743
points.
"Today was a good day for
the team," Schouten said. "The men had great 1500 meters with Derek's silver,
JP getting fifth, his best international performance ever, and Jondon skating
a great 1500, better than ever, too. The girls skated really well, with
Jen's medal and Ann and Catherine skating good races. Jen had a great 3000,
as did Ann and Catherine each skate solid races."
Tomorrow is the final day
of the three-day competition with the ladies' 5,000-meters
and men's 10,000-meters taking place.
NOTE: This weekend's World
Allrounds will be broadcast on ABC Sports, Saturday, March 23rd at 3 p.m.
EST.
Saturday's Results
Ladies' 1500-meters-1, Anni
Friesinger, Germany, 1 minute 56.43. 2, Cindy Klassen, 1:56.88. 3, Jennifer
Rodriguez, Miami, 1:57.71. Other Americans: 17, Annie Driscoll, Roseville,
Minn., 2:02.89. 22, Catherine Raney, Elm Grove, Wis., 2:04.18.
Ladies' 3000-meters-1, Friesinger,
4 minutes 8.02 seconds. 2, Claudia Pechstein, Germany, 4:09.32. 3, Klassen,
4:11.20. Americans: 6, Rodriguez, 4:11.84. 17, Raney, 4:20.10. 20, Driscoll,
4:20.90.
Ladies Standings After Three
Events-1, Friesinger, 119.596 points. 2, Rodriguez, 119.799. 3, Klassen,
119.986. 14, Driscoll, 125.136. 23, Raney, 126.743.
Men's 1500-meters-1, Dmitry
Shepel, Russia, 1:48.44. 2, Derek Parra, San Bernardino, Calif., 1:48.56.
3, Dustin Molicki, Canada, 1:49.49. Other Americans: 5, J.P. Shilling,
Baltimore, 1:49.58. 16(tied), Jondon Trevena, Fort Collins, Colo., 1:51.51.
Men's Standings After Three
Events-1, Shepel, 111.959. 2, Jochem Uytdehaage, Netherlands, 112.120.
3, Parra, 112.226. Other Americans: 10, Shilling, Baltimore, 114.380.
20, Trevena, 115.982.
###
-
Rodriguez
and Parra Medal on Opening Day of World Allround Championships
HEERENVEEN,
Netherlands, March 15, 2002-Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami) and Derek Parra
(San Bernardino, Calif.) earned medals on the opening day of the World
Allround Speed Skating Championships.Rodriguez earned a gold medal in the
ladies' 500-meters with a time of 38.59 seconds.
"Even
with some slips on the first 100 I was surprised to see I did a 10.7 opener,"
Rodriguez said. "I felt good in practice yesterday and I've been
feeling
like I have a lot of power to work with. I guess it came through
today! It was a really strong race for me."
U.S.
Speedskating and Rodriguez's coach Tom Cushman agreed with Rodriguez's
assessment stating, "Despite a few slips off the line and down the first
straightaway,
Jen had a dynamite race," Cushman said. "She settled in and really
took off for the last 200 hundred meters. I thought she could win
the
race if she had one of her good 500s but I never expected that kind of
a gap between her and the other skaters."
Annie
Driscoll (Roseville, Minn.), who posted a time of 40.69, finished tied
for ninth. Catherine Raney (Elm Grove, Wis.) was 24th with a time of 42.00
seconds.
Parra
earned a bronze in the men's 500-meters with a time of 36.47. Russia's
Dmitry Shepel and Norway's Petter Andersen tied for first with a time of
36.39.
J.P.
Shilling (Baltimore) finished ninth with a time of 36.90 while Jondon Trevena
(Fort Collins, Colo.) was 19th with a time of 37.75.
In
the men's 5000-meters, Parra placed seventh with a time of 6 minutes 35.70
seconds while Shilling was 18th with a time of 6:49.54 and Trevena was
20th
with a time of 6:50.62. The Netherlands Jochem Uytdehaage won the race
in a time of 6:30.27.
Parra,
who finished the day ranked third overall after two events with 76.040
points, was happy with his performance.
"This
is my best performance ever at the World Championships," Parra said.
"I would really like to finish in the top three, but I'll also be very
happy
if I can just stay in the top 12 and make the final cut for the 10,000.
I've never been able to do that before."
U.S.
National Allround Coach Bart Schouten was also pleased with Parra's opening
day.
"Derek
won his first medal in a World Allrounds and skated a solid 5000 meters,"
Schouten said. "He's in third overall-his best ranking ever.
It
was amazing how well he skated considering how he just got in here from
the States today."
Shilling
is ranked 14th overall with 77.854 points while Trevena is 22nd with
78.812 points.
Action
resumes tomorrow with the men's 1500-meters and the ladies' 1500- and 3000-meter
competitions.
NOTE:
This weekend's World Allrounds will be broadcasted on ABC Sports, Saturday,
March 23rd at 3 p.m. EST.
Friday's
Results
Ladies'
500-meters-1, Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami, 38.59. 2, Cindy Klassen, Canada,
39.16. 3, Anni Friesinger, Germany, 39.45. Other Americans:
9(tied),
Annie Driscoll, Roseville, Minn., 40.69. 24, Catherine Raney, Elm Grove,
Wis., 42.00.
Men's
500-meters-1, Dmitry Shepel, Russia, 36.39. 1, Petter Andersen, Norway,
36.39. 2, Derek Parra, San Bernardino, Calif., 36.47. Other Americans:
9, J.P. Shilling, Baltimore, 36.90. 19, Jondon Trevena, Fort Collins, Colo.,
37.75.
Men's
5000-meters-1, Jochem Uytdehaage, Netherlands, 6 minutes 30.27 seconds.
2, Gianni Romme, Netherlands, 6:30.40. 3, Carl Verheijen, Netherlands,
6:32.50. Americans: 7, Parra, 6:35.70. 18, Shilling, 6:49.54. 20, Trevena,
6:50.62.
Men's
Standings After Two Events-1, Uytdehaage, 75.617. 2, Shepel, 75.813. 3,
Parra, 76.040. Other Americans: 14, Shilling, 77.854. 22, Trevena, 78.812.
###
-
Rodriguez
and Parra Medal on Last Day of Season's Final World Cup
- INZELL, Germany, March 10, 2002-Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami) and Derek
Parra (San Bernardino, Calif.) made the last day of the season's final
World Cup a successful one. Rodriguez earned a silver medal in the ladies'
1000-meters, while Parra picked up a bronze medal in the men's 1500-meters.
Rodriguez skated a time of 1 minute 17.80
seconds to earn a silver in the 1000-meters. Canada's Catriona LeMay Doan
won the race with a time of 1:17.39. For Rodriguez, the medal gave her
a second place standing in the final World Cup ladies' 1000-meter standings.
Rodriguez finished the 2001-2002 World Cup season with one gold medal and
three silver medals in the event.
Rodriguez finished her successful World
Cup season with seven medals. She won three silver medals in the 1500-meters
to finish fourth in the final standings for the ladies' 1500-meters.
Amy Sannes (St. Paul, Minn.) finished the
race in eighth place with a time of 1:18.57 while Becky Sundstrom
(Glen Ellyn, Ill.) was 16th, posting a time of 1:20.47.
Parra placed third in the men's 1500-meters
with a time of 1 minute 50.69 seconds. Parra finished the World Cup season
with three medals in the 1500-meters, capturing one gold and two bronze
medals to finish third in the final men's 1500-meter standings.
Parra finished with a total of four World
Cup medals this season. He won a bronze medal in the men's 5000-meters
on Friday.
Adne Sondral of Norway won the race with
a time of 1:49.56.Joey Cheek (Greensboro, N.C) finished 17th with a time
of 1:54.25 while Tim Hoffmann (Waukesha, Wis.) was 20th with a time of
1:55.42.
Claudia Pechstein of Germany won the ladies'
3000-meters with a time of 4 minutes 15.71 seconds. Catherine Raney (Elm
Grove, Wis.) finished 13th with a time of 4:25.87.
Next week skaters will travel to the World
Allround Speedskating Championships held in Heerenveen, Netherlands, March
15-17.
-
Parra
Captures Bronze in Men's 5000 at Inzell World Cup
-INZELL, Germany, March 8, 2002-In his first competition since
the OlympicWinter Games, Derek Parra (San Bernardino, Calif.) captured
a bronze medal in the men's 5,000-meters in World Cup action on Friday.
Parra skated a time of 6 minutes 39.79
seconds to finish third in the event. The medal was Parra's third World
Cup medal of the season and first ever World Cup medal in the 5,000-meters.Parra
captured a silver medal in the 5,000-meters at the Salt Lake Games and
a gold medal in the 1500-meters.
Norway's Eskil Ervik won the event with
a time of 6:36.00.
-
Rodriguez
and Carpenter Earn Medals on Final Day of Oslo World Cup -
OSLO,
Norway March 3, 2002-The second day of World Cup action at the outdoor
Valle Hovin rink proved to be a successful one for the United States. The
U.S. finished the day with two medals and seven top-10 finishes.
Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami) earned her silver
medal in the 1000-meters. Rodriguez posted a time of 1minute 21.97 seconds.
Germany's Sabine Voelker captured the gold medal with a time of 1:20.94.
The medal was Rodriguez's sixth World Cup medal of the season and third
in the 1000-meters.
Also placing in the top 10 in the ladies'
1000-meters were Amy Sannes (St. Paul, Minn.) and Becky Sundstrom (Glen
Ellyn, Ill.), who finished seventh and ninth, respectively.
-
Rodriguez
Goes Double-Bronze in 1500m By USOC News Bureau
KEARNS, Utah, February 20, 2002--Jennifer
Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.) claimed the bronze medal Wednesday in the women's
1500m, notching the eighth medal for U.S. speedskaters and 25th medal overall
for the U.S. Team.
Skating the 1500 in a clean 1 minute, 55.32
seconds, Rodriguez won her second medal in these Olympic Winter Games,
in addition to her bronze in the 1000m. German Anni Friesinger broke her
own world record in the 1500m and grabbed gold in 1:54.02. Friesinger's
teammate, Sabine Voelker won silver in 1:54.97.
"I'm very happy," Rodriguez said. "It doesn't
have to do with the medals. I'm happy about my race today. The medals are
a bonus."
Rodriguez was a frontrunner in both races
in which she medaled, facing staunch competition, especially from the Dutch
and German teams.
"I'm happy, I'm relieved, I'm glad it's
over," she said. "I think I put the most pressure on myself in this race,
and I didn't care what color (the medal) was, I just wanted to be on the
podium, and I was."
American Chris Witty (West Allis, Wis.),
who won gold in the women's 1000m on Sunday, put up a personal best of
1:55.71 and placed fifth in the 1500. Witty was diagnosed one month ago
with mononucleosis and staged an incredible comeback from the illness in
her third Olympic Winter Games.
"I'm happy with it," she said. I skated,
I think, a technically strong race. It felt good, but it was about a lap
too long. I went out on the pace I wanted to go out on, and I tried to
hang on.
"I know when I'm healthy, I can skate like
this. But having mono a month ago, it was hard to say how I'd do. I'd always
had the mindset that I wanted to do my best, but you never know. To say
that I'd walk away with a gold medal, a world record and three personal
bests were a little more than I'd expected."
Witty, who competed in cycling in the 2002
Olympic Games in Sydney, said she plans to make another run for the 2004
Olympic Games.
"I want to get back on the bike," she said.
You'll probably see me at Olympic Trials. I'll give it a go."
Also racing in the 1500m were Amy Sannes
(St. Paul, Minn.), who placed eighth with a time of 1:56.29. Becky Sundstrom
(Glen Ellyn, Ill.) skated to 13th place in 1:57.33.
The U.S. speedskating team at the 2002
Olympic Winter Games represents possibly the most successful one of its
kind in history. Six different long track skaters have medaled in these
Games.
"I don't think any of us expected to get
as many medals as we have," Rodriguez said. "It's been a surprise for everybody.
I hope it opens everybody's eyes and shows there is opportunity (in speedskating).
And you don't (necessarily) have to grow up doing the sport."
The final women's event will be the 5000m,
set to begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at Utah Olympic Oval.
-
Parra
Exclaims Gold in Men's 1500m By USOC News Bureau
KEARNS, Utah, February 19, 2002--With one
convincing stride and a final burst of Olympic energy, Derek Parra turned
silver into gold Tuesday by winning the men's 1500m in world record time.
Parra (San Bernardino, Calif.), after a
silver-medal skate in the 5000m, slashed the 1500m world record and crossed
the finish line in 1 minute, 43.95 seconds. His golden performance marked
the seventh speedskating medal for the U.S. and the 20th medal for all
U.S. sports.
"This is like an exclamation point," Parra
said. "It's beyond words. It's more of a feeling than anything else, and
it's a great feeling."
Parra traded places from the 5000m with
Dutch skater Jochem Uytdehaage. After Parra set a world record in the 5000m,
Uytdehaage broke it to win gold. In the 1500m, it was Parra's turn to end
the day on top.
"When I saw (Uytdehaage's) time, I thought
'Whoa, that is fast,'" Parra said. "In the locker room I was thinking it
was going to be hard to beat. Then when I was warming up, I looked up and
saw the cameras on Jochem as he was sitting in the middle (of the track),
looking up at the times and I thought 'Man, I know how that feels.'"
A roaring American crowd greeted Parra
and for the first time in these Games, his wife, Tiffany, was in the stands.
Parra's wife works in Florida while he trains in Utah, and the couple recently
gave birth to a baby girl, Mia.
"When I go home at night, I'm in my room
and the lights are off and I'm ready to go to bed, it's all I think about
that I'm not there with my pregnant wife and now my new baby," Parra said.
"It is the hardest thing about being away. I saw her up in the stands before
the race, and I kept telling her I love her. We've been apart for so long.
For her to come here and see this race with my (whole family) for this
moment, I'm thankful she got to be here."
Parra was one of four Americans to skate
in the 1500m. Joey Cheek (Greensboro, N.C.) finished fourth with a time
of 1:45.34. Nick Pearson (Vernon, Wis.) and J.P. Shilling (Baltimore, Md.)
finished sixth and 14th, respectively.
"Never before has an American team been
this strong," Pearson said. "There are people coming out of nowhere from
the U.S. and winning medals. We all knew we could do it, but the rest of
the world never thought we could. We're just showing that our team has
a lot of depth and we can do anything right now."
The fast ice at Utah Olympic Oval allowed
all four U.S. skaters to set personal bests in Tuesday's race.
"This ice is gliding ice," Shilling said.
"If you try too hard, it eats you up. It will only exhaust you. The last
lap you just try to hang on as best you can. Your tongue is hanging out
of your mouth, your eyes are crossed, and you're just trying to get across
the line as quick as you can."
Seven Olympic medals is the most won by
any U.S. speedskating team in history. Also in these Games, medals have
been won by more individual U.S. skaters than in any other year.
The only remaining men's event is the 10,000m,
set to begin at noon on Friday at Utah Olympic Oval.
-
Witty
and Rodriguez Lead the Charge for more American Medals By USOC
News Bureau
KEARNS, Utah, February 17, 2002--U.S.
speedskaters added medals five and six to the team's total Sunday night,
as Chris Witty (West Allis, Wis.) shattered the standing world record in
the women's 1000m race at Utah Olympic Oval. American teammate Jennifer
Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.) claimed the bronze, marking the most diverse medal
winnings ever for a U.S. speedskating team.
Witty's time of 1 minute, 13.83 seconds
surprised and elated a full house of noisy, cheering fans. The time was
even more surprising when considered with the fact that Witty was diagnosed
with mononucleosis just one month before appearing in Salt Lake City in
her second Olympic Winter Games.
"Before the race, I felt a little fatigued
and a little shaky going to the line," she said. "But I just thought 'Relax.
Focus on skating and not anything else.' I think it was all heart."
Witty, also an Olympic cyclist in the 2000
Games in Sydney, skated to a silver in the 1000m in Nagano and a bronze
in the 1500m.
"When we went into Nagano she had drive,
and things were right in her technique," said Gerard Kemker, Witty's former
coach in Nagano and currently the Dutch team coach. "She had that now,
but she just wasn't sure how her (physical condition) would be. But you
can tell in the workouts, she did some fast laps. It's back to the Witty
you knew. When she comes to the Olympics, you know something special is
going to happen."
Witty's world record obliterated the old
mark of 1:14.06, set by German Sabine Voelker in December. Voelker claimed
the silver medal between Witty and Rodriguez.
"(Even) if I was healthy, that (time) would
have been a surprise," Witty said. "Regardless of the result, it was a
dream race today."
Rodriguez, who was favored to medal in
this race and also the upcoming 1500m, skated a solid 1:14.24. But with
just one pair left to skate after her, she worried her time would not hold
up.
"First I was crying that I didn't get a
medal and then I was crying because I did," she said. "I went through the
whole rainbow."
Rodriguez added that a slip coming around
the first turn of the race may have prevented her from putting up a faster
time.
Witty will join Rodriguez in skating the
1500m on Wednesday. Witty said given the performance of the American team
so far, she wouldn't be surprised to see more medal finishes before the
end of the Games.
"I'm proud of our team," she said. "It's
been really motivational. It's been an emotional week just watching (other
U.S. medal winners) race."
Also finishing in the 1000m for the U.S.
were Amy Sannes (St. Paul, Minn.) and Becky Sundstrom (Glen Ellyn, Ill.),
who placed 14th and 16th, respectively.
The next women's long track event will
be the 1500m, set to begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Utah Olympic Oval.
-
Cheek
Wins Bronze, American Men Crowd Top-10 By USOC News Bureau
KEARNS, Utah, February 16, 2002--Joey Cheek
(Greensboro, N.C.) skated to a bronze medal Saturday in the men's 1000m
at Utah Olympic Oval.
Cheek set an American record of 1 minute,
7.61 seconds and joined three other U.S. competitors finishing in the top
10. Kip Carpenter (Brookfield, Wis.), Nick Pearson (Vernon, Wis.) and Casey
FitzRandolph (Verona, Wis.) placed fourth, sixth and seventh, respectively.
The top-seven finishing skaters included only American and Dutch competitors.
Gerard Van Velde claimed gold with a winning
time and world record of 1:07.18 and his teammate, Jan Bos, took silver
with a 1:07.53 skate. Cheek's third-place finish marks the fourth American
long track speedskater to medal in these Games, a record number of medal-winning
skaters for the U.S. in the sport.
"I was shocked, but thrilled. It was unbelievable,"
Cheek said. "I'm honestly pretty surprised. After I got done, I looked
at the times, and saw my time...I never thought it would stand up to Jeremy
(Wotherspoon, of Canada) or Erben (Wennemars, of the Netherlands). I was
sure those guys were going to smoke it."
Cheek, who skated in the twentieth pair,
had to wait through four of the fastest skaters in the world to see if
his time would hold up. After Canadian threats Wotherspoon and Mike Ireland
both had to touch the ice while turning corners, Cheek's medal finish was
all but sealed.
"It's been the mission all year to medal
in the Olympics, although there were times when I thought there was no
way it was going to happen," Cheek said. "But you've got to keep fighting
and believing in yourself."
All of the American skaters, except FitzRandolph,
set personal bests in the 1000m.
"I'm pretty happy," Pearson said. "Sixth
place is not bad in the Olympics, but when you're that close (to a medal),
it hurts a little bit. Van Velde's time was unbelievable. It was the skate
of a lifetime. I don't think anyone had a chance after that."
The U.S. men's team will return to the
ice Tuesday in the 1500m. Cheek and silver medalist in the 5000m, Derek
Parra (San Bernardino, Calif.), will join Pearson and J.P. Shilling (Baltimore,
Md.).
"The American team is very strong; just
as strong as we were in (the 1000m)," Pearson said. "I think we have the
possibility to all be on the podium (in a sweep)."
The men's 1500m is set to begin at 1 p.m.
on Tuesday at Utah Olympic Oval.
-
Silver
for Parra as world records fall in 5,000 meters -
By Tom Weir and Mel Antonen, USA TODAY
KEARNS, Utah — The USA's Derek Parra was the surprise of the men's 5,000-meter
long-track speedskating competition Saturday
when he won the silver medal after setting a short-lived world record.
Parra completed the distance in 6 minutes, 17.98 seconds, beating
the old mark of 6:18.72 by Dutch skater Gianni Romme. But 31 minutes later,
Jochem Uytdehaage of the Netherlands smashed
Parra's mark, completing the long-track race in 6:14.66 and claimed the
gold medal.
Just 10 blocks from the Utah Olympic Oval, Parra spent last summer patrolling
the aisles at a Home Depot, helping customers with electric, floor and
wall needs
"It shows a working man can be on the podium," said Parra after lowering
his best time for 5,000 meters in long-track speedskating by a stupefying
14.65 seconds.
Parra's blue-collar acumen played a role in his unforeseen medal, as he
made a key adjustment to his skates just a week ago. Parra and his coach,
Bart
Schouten, had been struggling to understand why the 5-3 1/2 Parra was
struggling in the turns, the part of the Utah Olympic Oval he says is the
key to
taking advantage of what now ranks as the world's fastest ice.
"I woke up at 5 a.m., suddenly, and it just clicked," said Schouten. "There
was
too much bend in the blades, and he was working too hard to get through
the
turns."
Schouten said he had a difficult time persuading Parra to alter his equipment
so
close to the Games, but once Parra agreed, the skater did most of the
straightening work himself.
"He's always been there with me, and he belongs on the podium with me,"
Parra said of his Dutch-born coach. "I couldn't have done it without him."
Today Parra hopes to have time to drop by his Home Depot, where he's part
of
an Olympic support program that allows flexible working hours.
Parra's wife, Tiffany, gave birth to the couple's first child, Mia, on
Dec. 14 in
Orlando. Living in Utah to train for the Games, Parra has only been able
to
spend one week with them. Tiffany wasn't able to be at Saturday's race,
but
she will be in Utah on Feb. 19 for the race Parra considers his specialty,
the
1,500.
But Tiffany did get to see her husband on television Friday, when Parra
was
one of the American athletes at the opening ceremony who carried in the
U.S.
flag recovered from the rubble of the World Trade Center.
"To be able to do that was just an unbelievable opportunity," said Parra,
who got
to meet President Bush and then left immediately after the tribute to rest
for his
race.
Parra, 31, of San Bernardino, Calif., is the first Mexican-American to
medal in
speedskating.
"I think, if anything, it's a great thing to help Hispanic Americans reach
for their
goals," he said.
Parra didn't take up the sport until 1996, after being a world champion
in in-line
skating. Before 1996 he had tried ice skates only once. "I couldn't skate,
so I
took them off," he said.
The last U.S. medalist in the men's 5,000 was Eric Heiden in 1980.
"I didn't think he'd be in the top three, but he came in here relaxed and
skated a
great race," said Heiden, the speedskating team's physician.
"He's well prepared. he's covered all his bases. And not having any pressure
on
him probably helped."
Parra said he felt no real disappointment over seeing his world record
bettered.
"You can't be," said Parra. "You got a silver medal at the Olympics."
Germany's Jens Boden won the bronze medal, finishing in 6:21.73 — 15
seconds ahead of his previous best time.
The oval's ice was expected to be fast enough to break records, and it
didn't
disappoint. Nine national records were set, starting with the USA's KC
Boutiette at 6:22.97.
He was followed by France's Cendric Kuentz, Germany's Boden, Kazakhstan's
Radik Bikchantayev, Russia's Dmitry Shepel, Italy's Roberto Sighel, Norway's
Lasse Saetre, Canada's Dustin Molicki and Poland's Pawel Zygmunt.
-
Q
Sports Athletes raked in the medals in Salt Lake City, read
it all here: Derek
Parra - 5000 meter silver, Jen
Rodriguez 1000 meter bronze, Joey
Cheek 1000 meter bronze,
Derek
Parra 1500 meter Gold and World Record!
-
Cheek
and Trevena join Q Sports -
Joey
Cheek, of Greensboro, NC - the American Record holder in the 500 meters
and 1000 meters and "the future of Amercan Speedskating (who's already
arrived!) and Jondon Trevena, of Fort Collins, CO - a two time Olympian
have come on as the latest Q Sports athletes. Click
through here for more about Joey and
here
for more about Jondon.
-
It's
a Girl!
Congratulations toDerek
Parraand his wife Tiffany on the birth
of their first child - Mia Elizabeth Parra.
Mia was born in mid December, days before Derek competed in the 2002 US
Olympic Trials.
-
Rodriguez
Earns Fifth World Cup Medal of Season with Silver
in 1500-meters HEERENVEEN, Netherlands, January 11, 2002-Jennifer
Rodriguez (Miami) earned her fifth World Cup medal of the 2001-2002 season
Friday with a silver medal in the ladies' 1500-meters.
Rodriguez skated a time of 1 minute 59.85
seconds to finish second behind Germany's Annie Friesinger.
Friesinger skated a time of 1:58.18. The
medal gave Rodriguez three silver medals for the season in the 1500-meters.
She has earned one silver and
one gold medal in the 1000-meters.
"It really wasn't a very good race for
me," said Rodriguez. " I tried to settle in on the second lap but backed
off too much and really slowed
down. I just didn't read the ice very
well and didn't realize how little speed it carried. Even so, I was
very happy that I could have just an okay race
and still medal."
U.S. Speedskating coach Tom Cushman agreed
with Rodriguez's assessment stating, "Jen didn't have a picture-perfect
race, but she did get right
everything we talked about pre-race. She
stayed low, kept her body position throughout the race and really came
out of her turns strong. That's
exactly what we are focusing on in training
as we prepare for Salt Lake, and having this good of a showing means we
are focused on the right tasks to be ready in February."
In men's action, the United States had
a total of four top-ten finishes in the men's 500- and 1500-meters.
In the men's 500-meters, Casey FitzRandolph
(Verona, Wis.) finished sixth, skating a time of 35.58. FitzRandolph's
time was only .05 seconds behind
third-place finisher, Jan Bos of the Netherlands,
who skated a time of 35.53. Joey Cheek (Greensboro, N.C.) tied for ninth
with Japan's Hiroyasu Shimizu
with a time of 35.71.The Netherlands Gerard
van Velde and Korea's Kyu-Hyuk Lee won the event with a time of 35.46.
Cheek and Derek Parra (San Bernardino,
Calif.), finished ninth and tenth, respectively, in the men's 1500-meters.
Cheek finished with a time of
1:50.34 while Parra turned in a time of
1:50.40. Canada's Dustin Molicki won the event with a time of 1:48.60.
World Cup action resumes tomorrow.
Friday's Results
Ladies' 500-meters Division A-1, Catriona
LeMay Doan, Canada, 38.28 seconds. 2, Andrea Nuyt, Netherlands, 38.52.
3, Sabine Volker, Germany, 38.85. Americans: 17, Chris Witty, West Allis,
Wis., 39.68. 19, Becky Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 39.91.
Ladies' 500-meters Division B-1, Jenny
Wolf, Germany, 39.33. 2, Marieke Wijsman, Netherlands, 39.69. 3, Yvonne
Leever, Netherlands, 39.75.
Americans: 5, Amy Sannes, St. Paul, Minn.,
40.09. 13, Elli Ochowicz, Waukesha, Wis., 41.19.
Ladies' 1500-meters Division A-1, Anni
Friesinger, Germany, 1 minute 58.18 seconds. 2, Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami,
1:59.85. 3, Annamarie Thomas,
Netherlands, 2:00.40. Other Americans:
10 (tied), Witty, 2:02.67. 10 (tied), Sannes, 2:02.67. 20, Sarah Elliott,
Oconomowoc, Wis., 2:05.93.
Ladies' 1500-meters Division B-Marja Vis,
Netherlands, 2:01.64. 2, Yayoi Nagaoka, Japan, 2:03.45. 3, Sundstrom, 2:03.75.
Men's 500-meters Division A-1, Gerard van
Velde, Netherlands, 35.46. 1, Kyu-Hyuk Lee, Korea, 35.46. 3, Jan Bos, Netherlands,
35.53. Americans: 6,
Casey FitzRandolph, Verona, Wis., 35.58.
9 (tied), Joey Cheek, Greensboro, N.C., 35.71. 17 (tied), Kip Carpenter,
Brookfield, Wis., 36.11.
Men's 500-meters Division B-1, Kuniomi
Haneishi, Japan, 35.98. 2, Davide Carta, Italy, 36.06. 3, Bas Brusche,
Netherlands, 36.15. American: 5,
Marc Pelchat, Chelmsford, Mass., 36.37.
Men's 1500-meters Division A-1, Dustin
Molicki, Canada, 1:48.60. 2, Erben Wennemars, Netherlands, 1:49.33. 3,
Adne Sondral, Norway, 1:49.42.
Americans: 9, Cheek, 1:50.34. 10,
Derek Parra, San Bernardino, Calif., 1:50.40. 14, KC Boutiette, Tacoma,
Wash., 1:50.91.
Men's 1500-meters Division B-1, Lee, 1:50.55.
2, Yevgeny Lalenkov, Russia, 1:50.77. 3, Dmitry Shepel, Russia, 1:51.07.
Americans: 6, Tim Hoffmann,
Waukesha, Wis., 1:51.83. 25, Nick Pearson,
Vernon, Wis., 1:55.09.
####
-
JP
Shilling joins Q Sports -
JP
Shilling, of Baltimore Maryland has come on board as the latest athlete
addition to Q Sports. Click through here to
read all about him.
-
NIKE
signs Parra, Rodriguez an Boutiette -
Already a program wide sponsor of US Speedskating, NIKE has entered into
a private endorsement agreement with Derek, Jen and KC. Look for
these athletes appearing in upcoming NIKE promotional campaigns and at
NIKE special events.
-
Short Track Olympic
Teams Set; Two American Record Set in Long Track Competition
KEARNS,
Utah, December 22, 2001-The final day of the U.S. Olympic Trials proved
to be an exciting one with final roster sports being decided in short track
and American records being set in long track.
In
short track, Shani Davis (Chicago) moved from eighth-place to the sixth
position and an Olympic berth while in long track two American records
were set.
Davis'
win in the men's 1000-meters gave him 987 points and pushed him into number
six position in the final standings with 1,354 points. The top six qualify
for the 2002 Olympic Games.
Davis
finished first in the A final with a time of 1 minute 28.755 while Rusty
Smith (Sunset Beach, Calif.) finished second with a time of 1:28.827.
Apolo
Anton Ohno (Seattle) finished third with a time of 1:29.014.
Ohno
finished first overall with 7,286 points while Smith was second with 4,181
points.
Ohno
and Smith will skate the individual events at the Olympics. The individual
events are the 500,- 1000-, and 1500-meters.
Three-time
Olympic medalist Amy Peterson (Maplewood, Minn.) won the women's overall
title with 3,891.5 points. Peterson finished third in the ladies' 1000-meters
with a time of 1:33.632. The race was won by Caroline Hallisey (Natick,
Mass.) with a time of 1:33.456.
The
short track Olympic roster is the following:
Men
Name,
Hometown, Races Eligible for
Ron
Biondo, Broadview Heights, Ohio, eligible to skate any individual race
if
Ohno
or Smith does not skate; 5000-meter relay
Shani
Davis, Chicago, 5000-meter relay.
J.P.
Kepka, St. Louis, 5000-meter relay.
Apolo
Anton Ohno, Seattle, 500-, 1000-, 1500-meters and 5000-meter relay.
Rusty
Smith, Sunset Beach, Calif., 500-, 1000-, 1500-meters and 5000-meter relay.
Dan
Weinstein, Brookline, Mass., 5000-meter relay.
Women
Name,
Hometown, Races Eligible for
Allison
Baver, Sinking Spring, Penn., 3000-meter relay.
Julie
Goskowicz, Colorado Springs, Colo., 3000-meter relay.
Mary
Griglak, Berea, Ohio, 3000-meter relay
Caroline
Hallisey, Natick, Mass., 500-, and 1000-meters and 3000-meter relay
Amy
Peterson, Maplewood, Minn., 500-, 1500-meters and 3000-meter relay
Erin
Porter, Saratoga Springs, N.Y., 1000-, and 1500-meters and 3000-meter relay
In
long track action, two American records were set. Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami)
broke the record in the women's 3000-meters with a time of 7 minutes and
7.93 seconds to win the race. The time broke the record of 7:14.20 set
by Kirstin Holum on February 20, 1998.
Men's
10,000-meter champion Jason Hedstrand (Shoreview, Minn.) broke KC Boutiette's
record of 13 minutes 44.03 seconds set on February 17, 1998 with a time
of 13:40.75.
Rodriguez
will skate the 5,000-meters and Hedstrand the 10,000-meters at the Olympics
if U.S. skaters perform well enough in the women's 3,000 and men's 5,000
at the Games in February.
The
women's 3000-meters and men's 5000-meters participants for the Olympics
will be based on World Cup rankings and time standards after the World
Cup in Heerenveen, Netherlands, January 11-13.
The
skaters who have qualified for the long track Olympic team are the following:
Women
Name,
Hometown, Event Qualified for
Elli
Ochowicz, Waukesha, Wis., 500-meters.
Jennifer
Rodriguez, Miami, *500-, 1000, 1500-, and **5000-meters.
Amy
Sannes, St. Paul, Minn., 500-, 1000, and 1500-meters.
Becky
Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 500-, 1000-, and 1500-meters.
Chris
Witty, West Allis, Wis., 500-, 1000-, and 1500-meters.
Men
Name,
Hometown, Event Qualified for
Kip
Carpenter, Brookfield, Wis., 500- and 1000-meters.
Joey
Cheek, Greensboro, N.C., 500-, 1000-, and 1500-meters.
Casey
FitzRandolph, Verona, Wis., 500- and 1000-meters.
Jason
Hedstrand, Shoreview, Minn., ***10,000-meters.
Derek
Parra, San Bernardino, Calif., 1500-meters.
Nick
Pearson, Vernon, Wis., 1000- and 1500-meters.
Marc
Pelchat, Chelmsford, Mass., 500-meters.
J.P.
Shilling, Baltimore, 1500-meters.
*Qualified
for race but has chosen to bypass at Olympics.
**Skating
race will be based on results of ladies' 3000-meters at the Games.
***
Skating race will be based on results of men's 5000-meters at the Games.
1000-meter Positions
Wrapped Up For Olympics During Friday's Trials
KEARNS,
Utah, December 21, 2001-The men's and women's 1000-meter positions for
the 2002 Olympic Games were filled Friday at the U.S. Long Track Speedskating
Olympic Trials.
For
the men, Joey Cheek (Greensboro, N.C.) locked up his third position on
the Olympic Team. Cheek, who has qualified for the 500- and 1500-meters
earlier this week, earned his 1000-meter position based on the time he
set in the event on Tuesday. Cheek skated a time of 1 minute 7.98 seconds
to set a new American record. Today, Cheek skated the race in a time of
1:08.04. To qualify for the 1000-meters, skaters raced twice and each skater's
best time was used to determine the three qualifiers.
Joining
Cheek in qualification this week was Kip Carpenter (Brookfield, Wis.) and
Nick Pearson (Vernon, Wis.). Carpenter's best time was the 1:08.52 he skated
today while Pearson's time of 1:08.57 on Tuesday qualified him.
The
trio will join Casey FitzRandolph (Verona, Wis.), who prequalified for
the 1000-meters at the World Cup held in Salt Lake City on December
1st.
The
ladies' 1000-meters qualifiers were Amy Sannes (St. Paul, Minn.) and Becky
Sundstrom (Glen Ellyn, Ill.). Today, Sannes skated a two-race best of 1:15.92
today, while Sundstrom skated a time of 1:16.16.
The
duo joined prequalified Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami) and Chris Witty (West
Allis, Wis.). Rodriguez qualified with a gold medal in the ladies'
1000-meters
in World Cup action held in Salt Lake City while Witty did the same with
the combination of a fourth place finish at the Salt Lake City World Cup
in the 1000-meters and reaching the podium at the 2001 World Sprint Championships.
The
ladies' 3000-meters and the men's 5000-meters races determined World Cup
berths. The skaters in these events will be able to qualify for the Olympics
based on World Cup rankings and times after the Heerenveen, Netherlands
World Cup to be held January 11-13.
Catherine
Raney (Elm Grove, Wis.) won the ladies' 3000-meters with a time of 4 minutes
and 11.94 seconds. Kristine Holzer (Boise, Idaho) finished second with
a time of 4:16.49 while third place was occupied by Annie Driscoll (Roseville,
Minn.), who skated a time of 4:16.90.
Rodriguez
and Raney were already prequalified for the event.
In
the men's 5000-meters, one World Cup berth was available. The spot was
claimed by first place J.P. Shilling (Baltimore). Shilling skated a time
of 6 minutes 32.04 to win the event.
Derek
Parra (San Bernardino, Calif.), KC Boutiette (Tacoma, Wash.), and Jondon
Trevena (Fort Collins, Colo.) were prequalifed for the 5,000-meter World
Cups.
The
U.S. Long Track Olympic Trials conclude tomorrow with the women's 5,000-meters
and the men's 10,000-meters.
Friday's
Results
Ladies'
2nd 1000-meters-1, Amy Sannes, St. Paul, Minn., 1 minute 15.92 seconds.
2, Becky Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 1:16.16. 3, Chris Witty, West Allis,
Wis., 1:16.61. 4, Annie Driscoll, Roseville, Minn., 1:18.31. 5, Elli Ochowicz,
Waukesha, Wis., 1:19.33. 6, Jamie Grundstrom, Maplewood, Minn., 1:21.46.
7, Roxanne Kirkpatrick, North Salt Lake City, Utah, 1:21.99. 8, Sara Goff,
Verona, Wis., 1:22.10. 9, Heidi Stangl, Andover, Minn., 1:22.89. 10, Nancy
Swider-Peltz, Sr., Wheaton, Ill., 1:23.32.
Men's
2nd 1000-meters-1, Joey Cheek, Greensboro, N.C., 1:08.04. 2, Nick Pearson,
Vernon, Wis., 1:08.57. 3, Kip Carpenter, Brookfield, Wis., 1:09.14. 4,
Derek Parra, San Bernardino, Calif., 1:09.31. 5, Chris Callis, Sudlersville,
Md., 1:09.71. 6, Lucas Mills, Washington, D.C., 1:10.88. 7,
Eric
Krantz, Elgin, Ill., 1:11.29. 8, Tucker Fredricks, Janesville, Wis., 1:11.51.
9, Brady Thompson, Franklin, Wis., 1:11.90. 9, Ron Macky, Grafton,
Wis.,
1:11.90.
Ladies'
3000-meters-1, Catherine Raney, Elm Grove, Wis., 4 minutes 11.94 seconds.
2, Kristine Holzer, Boise, Idaho, 4:16.49. 3, Driscoll, 4:16.90.
4, Eva Rodansky, Kearns, Utah, 4:17.16. 5, Sarah Elliott, Oconomowoc, Wis.,
4:20.77. 6, Sannes, 4:20.81. 7, Shana Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 4:21.14.
8, Katie Krall, Colorado Springs, Colo., 4:22.29. 9, Maria Lamb, River
Falls, Wis., 4:25.80. 10, Heidi Stangl, Andover, Minn., 4:27.67.
Men's
5000-meters-J.P. Shilling, Baltimore, 6 minutes 32.04 seconds. 2, Jason
Hedstrand, Shoreview, Minn., 6:32.15. 3, Clay Mull, Gastonia, N.C., 6:33.49.
4, Jondon Trevena, Fort Collins, Colo., 6:33.94. 5, KC Boutiette, Tacoma,
Wash., 6:36.49. 6, Callis, 6:36.84. 7, Tim Hoffmann, Waukesha, Wis., 6:42.00.
8, Nate Di Palma, Albuquerque, N.M., 6:44.16. 9, Thompson, 6:45.20. 10,
Macky, 6:51.95.
###
Cheek Breaks Second
Record In Two Days at Olympic Trials
KEARNS,
Utah, December 19, 2001- After breaking the American record in the men's
1000-meters and setting a personal best in the 500-meters yesterday, Joey
Cheek (Greensboro, N.C.) returned to the ice Wednesday afternoon at the
U.S. Long Track Olympic Trials to pick up another American record
and earn another pair of personal bests.
Cheek
opened the day by setting the American record in the men's 500-meters.
Cheek skated a time of 34.66 to break Casey FitzRandolph's time of 34.71
set on December 2 at the Utah Olympic Oval.
The
time was gave Cheek a victory in the 500-meters with a two-race total of
69.39 seconds. He was followed by Kip Carpenter (Brookfield, Wis.) who
finished with a two-race total of 70.07 seconds after skating a time of
35.05. Marc Pelchat (Chelmsford, Mass.) was third with a total time of
70.31 after skating a time of 35.24.
The
trio qualified for the remaining spots available to skate the men's 500-meters
at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City.
FitzRandolph
of Verona, Wis., had already claimed his position in the men's 500-meters
by virtue of claiming a silver medal in the 500-meters on December 1 at
the World Cup held in Salt Lake City.
Later
in the day, Cheek earned his second position on the team when he claimed
the 1500-meters with a personal best time of 1:46.22-just 0.02
seconds
shy of the American record of 1:46.20 held by Derek Parra (San Bernardino,
Calif.).
Also
qualifying for the 1500-meters was Nick Pearson (Vernon, Wis.) and J.P.
Shilling (Baltimore). Pearson finished second with a time of 1:46.88 while
Shilling picked up third with a time of 1:47.27.
Parra
was prequalifed based on his second place finish at the 2001 World Single
Distance Championships in the 1500-meters and a fourth-place finish on
November 17th at the World Cup at the Innsbruck, Austria.
In
ladies' action, Chris Witty (West Allis, Wis.) claimed first place in the
ladies' 500-meters with a two-race total of 76.79 seconds. Witty recorded
the top time of the day with a time of 38.38 seconds. She was followed
by Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami), who earned a two-race total of 76.85 seconds
as she skated a time of 38.65. Becky Sundstrom (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) and Amy
Sannes (St. Paul, Minn.) finished third and fourth respectively after two
races. Sundstrom finished with a total time of 78.14 after skating a time
of 39.24 while Sannes totaled 78.65 as she skated a time of 39.45.
The
quartet qualified for the ladies' 500-meters at the 2002 Olympic Winter
Games.
The
women's 1500-meters was also won by Witty as she skated a time of 1:58.53.
Sannes was second with a time of 1:58.74 while Sundstrom picked up third
with a time of 1:59.21.
The
three skaters will join the prequalified Rodriguez in the 1500-meters at
the Olympics. Rodriguez qualified after winning a silver medal in the event
on November 10 at the Berlin World Cup.
The
long track trials continue on Friday after a rest day on Thursday.
Wednesday's
Results
Ladies
2nd 500-meters-1, Chris Witty, West Allis, Wis., 38.38 seconds. 2, Jennifer
Rodriguez, Miami, 38.65. 3, Becky Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn, Ill.,
39.24.
4, Elli Ochowicz, Waukesha, Wis., 39.42. 5, Amy Sannes, St. Paul, Minn.,
39.45. 6, Annie Driscoll, Roseville, Minn., 40.11. 7, Sarah Elliott,
Oconomowoc,
Wis., 40.85. 8, Jamie Grundstrom, Maplewood, Minn., 40.89. 9, Eva Rodansky,
Kearns, Utah, 41.23. 10, Shana Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 41.39.
Men's
2nd, 500-meters-1, Joey Cheek, Greensboro, N.C., 34.66 (American Record).
2, Kip Carpenter, Brookfield, Wis., 35.05. 3, Marc Pelchat,
Chelmsford,
Mass., 35.07. 4, Nick Pearson, Vernon, Wis., 35.48. 5, Derek Parra, San
Bernardino, Calif., 36.10. 6, Donald Stewart, Lake Placid, N.Y.,
36.20.
7, Tucker Fredricks, Janesville, Wis., 36.22. 8, Lucas Mills, Washington,
D.C., 36.32. 9, Chris Callis, Sudlersville, Md., 36.34. 10, David
Needham,
Belmont, Mass., 36.48.
Ladies'
1500-meters-1, Witty, 1 minute 58.53 seconds. 2, Sannes, 1:58.74. 3, Sundstrom,
B., 1:59.21. 4, Driscoll, 1:59.50. 5, Elliott, 2:00.24. 6,
Catherine
Raney, Elm Grove, Wis., 2:00.95. 7, Rodansky, 2:02.70. 8, Sundstrom, S.,
2:03.43. 9, Becky Lang, Milwaukee, 2:04.90. 10, Jackie Linell,
Roseville,
Minn., 2:05.24.
Men's
1500-meters-1, Cheek, 1:46.22. 2, Pearson, 1:46.88. 3, J.P. Shilling, Baltimore,
Md., 1:47.26. 4, KC Boutiette, Tacoma, Wash., 1:47.27. 5, Tim
Hoffmann,
Waukesha, Wis., 1:47.45. 6, Callis, 1:48.13. 7, Jondon Trevena, Fort Collins,
Colo., 1:48.56. 8, Clay Mull, Gastonia, N.C., 1:49.01. 9,
Mills,
1:49.30. 10, Stewart, 1:50.03.
###
PARRA WINS BRONZE
MEDAL AT CALGARY WORLD CUP
CALGARY,
ALBERTA, December 9, 2001-Derek Parra (San Bernardino, Calif.) earned a
bronze medal in the men's 1500-meters Sunday at the Calgary Olympic Oval
to cap a successful string of performances by the United States in fall
World
Cup action.
Parra
skated a time of 1 minute 46.54 seconds to finish third behind Norway's
Adne Sondral (1:45.81) and the Netherlands' Erben Wennemars (1:46.19).
"I
am happy I won a medal, I felt good and skated well," said Parra. "I am
in a good place and look forward to the rest of the season."
"Derek
had a good day, but lost his edge (of skate) on the dirty ice in warm up,"
said U.S. National Allround Coach Bart Schouten. "He skated well,
winning a medal, but had more to give if his skates would have been good.
We know now that Derek can win a medal any day and that the gold is in
reach."
Parra's
medal was his second of the season in the 1500-meters. His first was a
gold medal on November 24th in The Hague, Netherlands.
Including
Parra's two medals on the World Cup circuit, the United States has won
11 medals. Casey FitzRandolph (Verona, Wis.) has earned five medals (four
silver and 1 bronze) while Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami) has captured four
medals
(one gold and three silvers).
KC
Boutiette (Tacoma, Wash.) placed 10th in the 1500 with a time of 1:48.06
while J.P. Shilling (Baltimore) skated a time of 1:48.84 to finish 17th.
Rodriguez
was the top American female finisher on Sunday, as she placed sixth in
the ladies' 1500-meters with a time of 1:56.19. Teammate Sarah Elliott
(Oconomowoc, Wis.) finished 12th with a time of 1:59.65.
Germany's
Annie Friesinger won the event with a time of 1:54.61.
In
the men's 500-meters, FitzRandolph and Joey Cheek (Greensboro. N.C.) tied
for eighth place with a time of 35.17 seconds behind gold medalist Toyoki
Takeda of Japan who finished with a time of 34.62. Kip Carpenter
(Brookfield,
Wis.) placed 17th with a time of 35.48.
Becky
Sundstrom (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) was the top American female in the ladies'
500-meters, finishing 18th with a time of 39.10. Amy Sannes (St.
Paul, Minn.) placed 19th with a time of 39.15 while Chris Witty (West Allis,
Wis.)
finished
20th with a time of 39.16.
Canada's
Catriona Le May Doan won the event with a world record time of 37.22 seconds.
In
Division B action, Cheek and Sannes won the men's and ladies' 1500-meters,
respectively. Cheek skated a personal best time of 1:47.68
while Sannes finished with a time of 1:57.66.
Both
the results of the weekend and fall World Cups left Schouten and U.S. National
Sprint Coach Mike Crowe pleased.
"It
was a nice combined World Cup for us with Sprint and Allround," said Schouten.
"The whole team is doing very well and on the rise towards the Olympics.
We had a great start to the season and we will carry this through.
This
is exciting!"
"I
feel we are continuing to make progress toward the Olympics," said Crowe.
"Everyone has had at least one good race in each of the last two weekends.
I was particularly happy to see four US skaters (FitzRandolph, third; Cheek,
sixth; Parra, eighth; Carpenter, tied ninth) in the top nine in the 1000-meters
yesterday. The whole team will continue to push each other to success at
the Olympic Games."
Sunday's
Results
Ladies'
Division A 500-meters- 1, Catriona Le May Doan, Canada, 37.22 seconds (World
Record). 2, Sabine Volker, Germany, 37.77. 3, Svetlana Zhurova, Russia,
37.88. Americans: 18, Becky Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 39.10. 19, Amy
Sannes, St. Paul, Minn., 39.15. 20, Chris Witty, West Allis, Wis., 39.16.
Ladies'
Division B 500-meters- 1, Chunyuan Yang, China, 38.95. 2, Aihua Xing, China,
39.27. 3, Yvonne Leever, Netherlands, 39.45. Americans: 5, Elli Ochowicz,
Waukesha, Wis., 39.51.
Ladies'
Division A 1500-meters- 1, Anni Friesinger, Germany, 1 minute 54.61 seconds.
2, Volker, 1:55.03. 3, Claudia Pechstein, Germany, 1:55.18.
Americans:
6, Rodriguez, 1:56.19. 12, Sarah Elliott, Oconomowoc, Wis.,1:59.65.
Ladies'
Division B 1500-meters-1, Sannes, 1:57.66. 2, Tatyana Trapeznikova, Russia,
1:58.81. 3, Chiara Simionato, Italy, 1:59.02. Americans: 5,
Sundstrom,
1:59.37.
Men's
Division A 500-meters-1, Toyoki Takeda, Japan, 34.62 seconds. 2, Gerard
van Velde, Netherlands, 34.88. 3, Jeremy Wotherspoon, Canada, 34.93. Americans:
8 (tied), Casey FitzRandolph, Verona, Wis., 35.17. 8 (tied), Joey Cheek,
Greensboro, N.C., 35.17. 17, Kip Carpenter, Brookfield, Wis., 35.48.
Men's
Division B 500-meters- 1, Hiroyasu Shimizu, Japan, 35.30. 2, Ermanno Moriatti,
Italy, 35.52. 3, Pawel Abratkiewicz, 35.60. Americans: 5, Marc Pelchat,
Chelmsford, Mass., 35.66. 6, Nick Pearson, Vernon, Wis., 35.67.
Men's
Division A 1500-meters-1, Adne Sondral, Norway, 1 minute 45.81. 2, Erben
Wennemars, Netherlands, 1:46.19. 3, Derek Parra, San Bernardino, Calif.,
1:46.54. Other Americans: 10, KC Boutiette, Tacoma, Wash., 1:48.06.
17, J.P. Shilling, Baltimore, 1:48.84.
Men's
Division B 1500-meters-1, Cheek, 1:47.68. 2, Jae-Bong Choi, Korea, 1:48.10.
3, Kyu-Hyuk Lee, Korea, 1:48.79. Other American: 8, Chris Callis, Sudlersville,
Md., 1:50.03.
-
Rodriguez
Claims Gold Medal in Season-opening Sprint World Cup
KEARNS, Utah, December 1,
2001-The opening day of World Cup action at the Utah Olympic Oval proved
to be a banner day for the American squad as the team hauled in three medals
in four events.
Casey FitzRandolph (Verona,
Wis.) won a pair of silver medals while Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami) earned
a gold medal to lead the U.S. team.
En route to earning his second
silver medal of the day, FitzRandolph briefly held the World record in
the men's 1000-meters when he skated a time of 1 minute 8.06 seconds. The
time broke the previous standard of 1:08.28 set by Canada's Jeremy Wotherspoon
on March 11th at the Utah Olympic Oval.
Casey FitzRandolph,
Verona, Wis., skates to a silver medal in Saturday's 500-meters. (photo
by AP)
However three pairs later,
Wotherspoon responded with a time of 1:07.72 to reclaim the record and
to win the event.
Earlier in the day FitzRandolph
earned a silver medal in the men's 500-meters with a time of 34.89 seconds.
Wotherspoon (34.85) edged FitzRandolph out by only .04 seconds for the
gold medal.
The pair of medals qualified
FitzRandolph to skate the 500- and 1000-meters for the United States at
the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
Under the criteria established
by U.S. Speedskating, any long track speedskater who earns a medal in his
or her respective event on the Fall World Cup circuit automatically qualifies
for a spot on the 2002 Olympic Team to skate the event in which the skater
has won a medal.
Rodriguez continued her amazing
season by adding another medal to her trophy case by capturing a gold in
the ladies' 1000-meters. Rodriguez skated a career-best 1:14.68 edge out
Germany's Monique Garbrecht-Enfeldt (1:14.80) for the win.
Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami,
races towards victory in the 1000-meters on Saturday afternoon at the Utah
Olympic Oval. (photo by AP)
Entering today's competition,
Rodriguez had already earned two silver medals in the pair of World Cup
1500-meters she had raced in this season.
With the medal, Rodriguez
claimed another berth on the 2002 U.S. Olympic Team. Rodriguez is now qualified
for the 1000- and 1500-meters.
The U.S. team set seven personal
bests for the day. Elli Ochowicz (Waukesha, Wis.) set the Junior American
record in the ladies' 500-meters with a time of 38.78. The time eclipsed
her record time of 39.16 seconds set last Saturday at the Utah Olympic
Oval. The record was one of two Americans records set today (FitzRandolph's
1000-meters the other).
Joey Cheek (Greensboro, N.C.)
set a personal best in the 1000-meters with a time of 1:08.88 to finish
eighth in the event. In the same event, Derek Parra (San Bernardino, Calif.)
placed 15th with a personal best of 1:09.70.
Other American women setting
personal bests were Amy Sannes (St. Paul, Minn) and Annie Driscoll (Roseville,
Minn.), both in the 1000-meters.
Sannes finished eighth in
the ladies' 1000-meters with a time of 1:15.87 while Driscoll posted a
time of 1:18.61 to finish 29th.
Action resumes at the season-opening
sprint World Cup tomorrow with both the men and women skating the 500-
and 1000-meters.
Saturday's Results
Ladies' Division A 500-meters-1,
Catriona LeMay Doan, Canada, 37.55 seconds. 2, Sabine Voelker, Germany,
37.84. 3, Sayuri Osuga, 37.93. Americans: 9, Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami,
38.28. 17, Chris Witty, West Allis, Wis., 38.64. 20, Elli Ochowicz, Waukesha,
Wis., 38.78 (Junior American Record). 21 (tied), Amy Sannes, St. Paul,
Minn., 38.80. 21 (tied), Becky Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 38.80.
Ladies' Division A 1000-meters-1,
Rodriguez, 1 minute 14.68 seconds. 2, Monique Garbrecht-Enfeldt, Germany,
1:14.80. 3, Voelker, 1:14.81. Other Americans: 8, Sannes, 1:15.87. 9, Witty,
1:16.01. 13, Sundstrom, 1:16.69. 29, Annie Driscoll, Roseville, Minn.,
1:18.61.
Men's Division A 500-meters-1,
Jeremy Wotherspoon, Canada, 34.85 seconds. 2, Casey FitzRandolph, Verona,
Wis., 34.89. 3, Mike Ireland, Canada, 34.95. Other Americans: 11, Kip Carpenter,
Brookfield, Wis., 35.25. 18, Joey Cheek, Greensboro, N.C., 35.36. 39, Marc
Pelchat, Chelmsford, Mass., 36.25. 40, Nick Pearson, Vernon, Wis., 36.27.
Men's Division A 1000-meters-1,
Wotherspoon, 1 minute 7.72 seconds (World Record). 2, FitzRandolph, 1:08.06
(American Record). 3, Ireland, 1:08.31. Other Americans: 8, Cheek, 1:08.88.
15, Derek Parra, San Bernardino, Calif., 1:09.70. 18, Carpenter, 1:09.87.
26, Pearson, 1:10.45.
-
Rodriguez
and FitzRandolph Win Silver Medals to Add to Weekend Medal
Collection
KEARNS,
Utah, December 2, 2001-The United States returned to the podium Sunday
afternoon at the World Cup competition held at the Utah Olympic Oval after
earning three medals on Saturday.
Jennifer
Rodriguez (Miami) and Casey FitzRandolph (Verona, Wis.) each earned silver
medals to the lead the United States on the second and final day of World
Cup competition.
Rodriguez
skated a time of 1 minute 14.71 seconds in the ladies' 1000-meters finishing
behind Germany's Sabine Voelker. Voelker finished with a world record time
of 1:14.06.
"I
was very satisfied with today's race," said Rodriguez. "Neither of my races
were perfect so there is still work to be done."
Sunday's
medal gave Rodriguez her fourth World Cup medal of the season. She has
earned two silver medals in the pair of 1500-meter races that she has competed
in and she earned a gold in Saturday's 1000-meters.
Rodriguez
led a trio of American skaters who finished in the top 10 in the ladies'
1000-meters.
Chris
Witty (West Allis, Wis.) just missed reaching the podium after finishing
fourth with a time of 1:15.18 while Amy Sannes (St. Paul, Minn.) finished
10th with a time of 1:15.94.
FitzRandolph
earned his third silver medal of the weekend by finishing the men's 500-meters
with an American record time of 34.71 seconds just .05 seconds shy of Canada's
Jeremy Wotherspoon's time of 34.66.
"My
500 was a little better than yesterday," said FitzRandolph. "I did not
get off the start very well. Jeremy got off a much better start-that is
where the race was won. It was a good race but there is room for improvement."
"This
weekend has been my best since I have been on the clap skate," said FitzRandolph.
"It is a great way to start the season."
FitzRandolph
picked up silver medals in yesterday's 500- and 1000-meter competitions.
Joey
Cheek (Greensboro, N.C.) was the other top 10 finisher in the men's 500-meters
for the United States. Cheek tied for sixth with a time of 35.13.
The
men's 1000-meters saw both FitzRandolph and Cheek place in the top 10.
FitzRandolph placed sixth with a time of 1:08.41 while Cheek skated a career-best
time of 1:08.54 to finish seventh.
World
Cup sprint action resumes next weekend in Calgary.
Sunday's
Results (complete results in PDF format can be found at http://www.usspeedskating.org/releases/120201WCLT.html):
Ladies'
Division A 500-meters-1, Catriona LeMay Doan, Canada, 37.40 seconds. 2,
Sabine Voelker, Germany, 37.64. 3, Sayuri Osuga, Japan, 37.78. Americans:
13, Chris Witty, West Allis, Wis., 38.63. 17, Becky Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn,
Ill., 38.81. 21 (tied), Amy Sannes, St. Paul, Minn., 38.95. 24 (tied),
Elli Ochowicz, Waukesha, Wis., 39.13. 35, Jamie Grundstrom, Maplewood,
Minn., 41.04.
Ladies'
Division A 1000-meters-1, Voelker, 1 minute 14.06 seconds (World Record).
2, Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami, 1:14.71. 3, Monique Garbrecht-Enfeldt, Germany,
1:14.97. Other Americans: 4, Witty, 1:15.18. 10, Sannes, 1:15.94. 13, Sundstrom,
1:16.26. 31, Annie Driscoll, Roseville, Minn., 1:18.44.
Men's
Division A 500-meters-1, Jeremy Wotherspoon, Canada, 34.66. 2, Casey FitzRandolph,
Verona, Wis., 34.71 (American Record). 3, Mike Ireland, Canada, 34.96.
Other Americans: 6 (tied), Joey Cheek, Greensboro, N.C., 35.13. 16 (tied),
Kip Carpenter, Brookfield, Wis., 35.31. 19, Marc Pelchat, Chelmsford, Mass.,
35.34. 35, Nick Pearson, Vernon, Wis., 36.03.
Men's
Division A 1000-meters-1, Wotherspoon, 1:07.83. 2, Erben Wennemars, Netherlands,
1:07.88. 3, Adne Sondral, Norway, 1:08.15. Americans: 6, FitzRandolph,
1:08.41. 7, Cheek, 1:08.54. 11 (tied), Derek Parra, 1:09.07. 13, Pearson,
1:09.10. 16, Carpenter, 1:09.20.
###
-
Parra
Wins First Career World Cup Medal
THE
HAGUE, Netherlands, November 24, 2001-The second day of this weekend's
World Cup was highlight by the first career World Cup medal for Derek Parra
(San Bernardino, Calif.).
Parra skated a time
of 1 minute 49.78 seconds to a gold medal in the men's 1500-meters.
"I wanted to skate
well today and I felt I did. It was a great bonus to see the placement
and the time," said Parra.
"My focus on skating
technically paid off well and breaking the track record like I did was
more than I expected."
"People were talking
on how this was one of the best 1500-meters they have seen over the last
years," U.S. National Allround Coach Bart Schouten said. " It certainly
was a very, very good race with a technically superb Parra.
Derek stayed strong
throughout the race and nobody could match his speed or endurance."
In March, Parra captured
his first World Championship medal, earning a silver medal in the 1500-meters
at the World Single Distance Championships in Salt Lake City.
The Netherlands'
Martin Hersman (1:50.39) and Germany's Christian Breuer (1:51.01) finished
second and third respectively, behind Parra.
Tim Hoffmann (Waukesha,
Wis.) finished in 14th place with a time of 1:53.52 while KC Boutiette
(Tacoma, Wash.) placed 17th with a time of 1:53.79.
"Tim had a solid
race and has achieved a good, stable level," said Schouten. "I expect
him to make the next step when we start tapering and take it easy in training.
Top 15 in the world is good for where Tim came from (return from
injuries over the
past two years), but he can take it to the top eight."
World Cup action
resumes tomorrow with the ladies' 1,500-meters and the men's 10,000-meters.
Saturday's Results
Ladies' Division
A 5000-meters-1, Anni Friesinger, Germany, 7 minutes 15.30 seconds. 2,
Claudia Pechstein, Germany, 7:17.15. 3, Maki Tabata, Japan, 7:20.30.
Ladies' Division
B 5000-meters-1, Catherine Raney, Elm Grove, Wis., 7:34.79. 2, Tara Risling,
Canada, 7:35.01. 3, Wieteke Cramer, Netherlands, 7:35.91. Other American:
8, Eva Rodansky, Salt Lake City, 7:47.55.
Men's Division A
1500-meters-1, Derek Parra, San Bernardino, Calif., 1 minute 49.78 seconds.
2, Martin Hersman, Netherlands, 1:50.39. 3, Christian Breuer, Germany,
1:51.01. Other Americans: 14, Tim Hoffmann, Waukesha, Wis.,
1:53.52. 17, KC
Boutiette, Tacoma, Wash., 1:53.79.
Men's Division B
1500-meters-1, Vadim Sayutin, Russia, 1:52.87. 2, Steve Elm, Canada, 1:53.07.
3, Takaharu Nakjima, Japan, 1:53.51. Americans: 9, Chris Callis,
Sudlersville, Md., 1:54.23. 10, JP Shilling, Baltimore, 1:54.32.
###
-
Rodriguez
Earns Second Straight World Cup Silver Medal in 1500-meters
INNSBRUCK, Austria,
November 18, 2001-For the second straight weekend, Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami)
earned a World Cup silver medal in the ladies' 1500-meter competition.
On Sunday, Rodriguez skated a time of 2
minutes .87 seconds to finish .34 seconds behind gold medalist Anni Friesinger
of Germany, who recorded a time of 2:00.53. Germany's Claudia Pechstein
joined the pair on the podium,
finishing third with a time of 2:00.91.
"I'm kind of surprised I finished in the
medals today," said Rodriguez. "I didn't feel real snappy going into the
race and this is not my kind of track-outdoors, cold, and ice that's soft
and slow. So I just tried to stay relaxed and concentrated on technique.
I also focused on keeping my rhythm higher than I normally would have.
I guess it worked!"
"I was really happy with Jen's race," said
U.S. Speedskating coach Tom Cushman. "As she said, these were not the best
conditions for her so she played it very smart, played to her strengths.
She had a slower opener than the other medalists but she had the best three
laps, along with Chris Witty, of just about all the competitors out there
today."
Last Sunday in World Cup action in Berlin,
Rodriguez picked up a silver medal in the event, finishing behind Friesinger.
After picking up a silver medal in Berlin,
Rodriguez qualified for the U.S. Olympic team in the 1500-meters under
the 2002 U.S. Long Track Olympic Team selection criteria.
Witty (West Allis, Wis.) finished 12th
in the ladies' 1500-meters with a time of 2:04.69.
In men's action, Derek Parra (San Bernardino,
Calif.) placed 14th in the 5000-meters. Parra finished the race with a
time of 6 minutes 54.01 seconds. The Netherlands Gianni Romme, who skated
a time of 6:35.57, won the race.
The United States saw strong performances
by skaters in Division B competition on Sunday. In the ladies' 1500-meters,
Sarah Elliot (Oconomowoc, Wis.) recorded a time of 2:07.06 to finish second,
while teammate Catherine
Raney (Elm Grove, Wis.) placed third with
a time of 2:07.56.
"I didn't pay attention to my laps times
and didn't even set a finishing time goal or worry about making it to the
podium," said Elliot. "Instead I just focused on the technical stuff
we've been working on all week-keeping my stroke frequency higher on the
straight-aways, exiting my turns fast and hard and getting more outer edge
with each stroke. I died the last lap but it was still a really good
time for the ice today. I was really happy with the race and I'm
so glad I get into A group (Division A 1500-meters) next week."
Jondon Trevena (Fort Collins, Colo.) place
fourth with a time of 6:47.09 in the men's 5000-meters.
"Jondon had a good 5k with the tenth best
time overall, although it's hard to compare times between groups (A and
B) when the conditions were changing so
much," said U.S. National Allround Coach Bart Schouten.
"It was a day where you really had to pay
attention to the ice and figure out race strategy based on the conditions.
The ice started out hard with no glide, then it got soft and pretty frosty,
and then when the sun finally broke through the clouds the ice got just
plain-old soft," explained Cushman. "So we focused on good technical
skating and paid attention to the details-like stroke frequency and turn
exits-and not getting to long and expecting glides when there weren't any
to be had."
World Cup action resumes Friday in The
Hague, Netherlands.
Sunday's Results
Ladies' Division A 1500-meters-1, Anni
Friesinger, Germany, 2 minutes 00.53 seconds. 2, Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami,
2:00.87. 3, Claudia Pechstein, Germany, 2:00.91. Americans: 12. Chris Witty,
West Allis, Wis., 2:04.69.
Ladies' Division B 1500-meters-1, Anna
Savelyeva, Russia, 2:06.13. 2, Sarah Elliot, Oconomowoc, Wis., 2:07.06.
3, Catherine Raney, Elm Grove, Wis., 2:07.56. Other Americans: 19, Shana
Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 2:10.99.
Men's Division A 5000-meters-1, Gianni
Romme, Netherlands, 6 minutes 35.57 seconds. 2, Bob de Jong, Netherlands,
6:38.61. 3, Carl Verheijen, Netherlands, 6:43.02. American: 14, Derek Parra,
San Bernardino, Calif.,
6:54.01.
Men's Division B 5000-meters-1, Artyom
Detyshev, Russia, 6:43.53. 2, Mark Knoll, Canada, 6:45.51. 3, Steve Elm,
Canada, 6:46.89. Americans: 4, Jondon Trevena, Fort Collins, Colo., 6:47.09.
13, Jason Hedstrand, Shoreview, Minn., 6:53.33. 17, KC Boutiette, Tacoma,
Wash., 6:54.86.
-
Rodriguez
Claims Silver in 1500-meters at Berlin World Cup
BERLIN, November
11, 2001-A day after just missing a bronze medal in the ladies' 3000-meters,
Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami) earned a silver medal in the 1500-meters.
Rodriguez, who finished
fourth in the 3000-meters on Saturday, claimed a silver medal in the 1500-meters
by recording a time of 1 minute 58.10 seconds.
"It was a good race
time-wise, but I felt pretty sloppy out there. I couldn't really
keep my feet under me," said Rodriguez. "But I had a great pair (Sabine
Volker of Germany) who's more of a sprinter, so she went out
hard, so I had a
target to shoot for. I skated my own race, but it was great to chase Sabine
and then hold her off on the last turn even though I had the last outer.
It's a good way to start out the season."
Rodriguez's coach
and U.S. Speedskating coach Tom Cushman agreed with her assessment.
"Jen had a great
1500m today," said Cushman. "She skated her own race even though she had
to chase her pair down through the whole race. But she kept her focus
and paid attention to the details-the little things that mean the difference
between finishing in or out of the medals."
Rodriguez's finish
broke up a potential clean sweep of the podium by Germany. Anni Friesinger
of Germany won the event with a time of 1:57.86 while teammates Volker
(1:58.30) and Claudia Pechstein (1:58.34), finished third and fourth, respectively.
Two other Americans
finished in the top 11 eleven positions in their respective races. Chris
Witty (West Allis, Wis.) posted a time of 2:01.53 to finish 11th in the
ladies' 1500-meters while Derek Parra (San Bernardino,
Calif.) placed ninth
in the men's 5000-meters with a time of 6 minutes 38.02 seconds.
The men's 5000-meters
was captured by the Dutch trio of Gianni Romme (6:28.92), followed by teammates
Bob de Jong (6:32.68), and Rintje Ritsma (6:33.08).
KC Boutiette (Tacoma,
Wash.) the other American in the men's Division A 5000-meters was disqualified
for a crossover violation.
In the men's Division
B 5000-meters, Jondon Trevena (Fort Collins, Colo.) was the top American
with a time of 6:40.97.
"This race felt good,"
said Trevena. "It was one of my best feeling races ever, and a good one
to start the season off with."
The weekend left
U.S. Speedskating coaches, Cushman and Bart Schouten, pleased with the
team's opening World Cup performance.
"I am really pleased
with the weekend," said Cushman. "We had some great results. Jen's
second- and fourth-place finishes as well as the men's 1500-meters.
But there was also some really good stuff going on beneath the surface;
skaters who maybe didn't place in the medals but who are hitting
their goals to be
on track for the Olympic Games."
"This was a good
World Cup weekend," said Schouten. "After just coming over on the
Friday before, we surprised ourselves with good performances."
World Cup action
resumes this Saturday in Innsbruck, Austria.
Saturday's Results
Ladies' Division
A 1500-meters-1, Anni Friesinger, Germany, 1 minute 57.86 seconds. 2, Jennifer
Rodriguez, Miami, 1:58.10. 3, Sabine Volker, Germany, 1:58.30. Other
Americans: 11, Chris Witty, West Allis, Wis., 2:01.53. 29, Catherine Raney,
Elm Grove, Wis., 2:05.21. 32(tied), Sarah Elliot, Oconomowoc, Wis., 2:05.36.
44, Shana Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 2:08.90.
Men's Division A
5000-meters-1, Gianni Romme, Netherlands, 6 minutes 28.92 seconds. 2, Bob
de Jong, Netherlands, 6:32.68. 3, Rintje Ritsma, Netherlands, 6:33.08.
Americans: 9, Derek Parra, San Bernardino, Calif., 6:38.02. 20, KC Boutiette,
Tacoma, Wash., disqualified.
Men's Division B
5000-meters-1, Eskil Ervik, Norway, 6:34.62. 2, Toshihiko Itokawa, Japan,
6:35.82. 3, Kjell Storelid, Norway, 6:35.88. Americans: 6(tied), Jondon
Trevena, Fort Collins, Colo., 6:40.97. 17, Jason Hedstrand, Shoreview,
Minn., 6:46.39.
###
Rodriguez Opens
World Cup Season with Fourth Place Finish in 3000
BERLIN, November
10, 2001-Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami) was the top American finisher on the
opening day of the long track World Cup season, placing fourth in the ladies'
3000-meters.
Rodriguez finished
.41 seconds behind third-place Maki Tabata of Japan. Rodriguez skated a
time of 4 minutes 12.58 seconds while Tabata notched the bronze with
a time of 4:12.17. Germany's Anni Friesinger, with a time of 4:08.44, won
the race.
Rodriguez and U.S.
Speedskating coach Tom Cushman were satisified with her showing.
"I was very pleased
for Jen today. She skated the race just like she intended to-at higher
frequency on the straight-aways, good speed-building on the turns, and
then when the hurt came, she worked through it." Cushman said. "This
is her best 3000-meter finish in international competition since the last
Olympic Games. Most of the other top skaters were slower today than
they were at this World Cup at this track last year. Jen was seven
seconds faster."
"I was happy with
my race," said Rodriguez. "It was good skating until the last lap, but
still, overall I'm satisfied."
The top American
male of the day was KC Boutiette (Tacoma, Wash.). Boutiette posted a ninth-place
finish in the men's 1500-meters with a time of 1:50.95.
"KC did exactly what
I hoped he would do. He worked through the pain and didn't give in.
The 1500 is the most painful race, but today, KC was tough," stated Cushman.
"That's exactly what he needs to do if he wants to do well this year. It's
been our number one goal and he stayed right on target. He's starting
off the season with a bang!"
Both Derek Parra
(San Bernardino, Calif.) and Tim Hoffmann (Waukesha, Wis.) registered top-15
finishes in the men's 1500-meters. Parra finished tied for tenth with Canada's
Kevin Marshall in the event with a time of 1:51.02. Meanwhile, Hoffmann
climbed from the last seed in the 1500-meters to finish 13th with a time
of 1:51.10.
Petter Anderson of
Norway, and Jakko Jan Leewangh of the Netherlands, tied for the men's gold
medal with a time of 1 minute 50.23 seconds.
The two-day World
Cup will conclude tomorrow with the ladies' 1500-meter and the men's 5000-meter
competitions.
Saturday's Results
Men's Division A
1500-meters-Petter Anderson, Norway, 1 minute 50.23 seconds.1, Jakko Jan
Leewangh, Netherlands, 1:50.23. 3, Erben Wennemars, Netherlands,1:50.26.
Americans: 9, KC Boutiette, Tacoma, Wash., 1:50.95. 10 (tied), Derek Parra,
San Bernardino, Calif., 1:51.02. 13, Tim Hoffmann, Waukesha, Wis.,
1:51.10. 29, JP
Shilling, Baltimore, 1:52.87. 41, Chris Callis, Sudlersville,Md., 1:54.16.
Ladies' Division
A 3000-meters-1, Anni Friesinger, Germany, 4 minutes 8.44 seconds. 2, Claudia
Pechstein, Germany, 4:09.69. 3, Maki Tabata, Japan, 4:12.17. American:
4, Jennifer Rodriguez, 4:12.58.
Ladies' Division
B 3000-meters-1, Valentina Yakshina, Russia, 4:17.96. 2, Yang Gao, China,
4:18.15. 3, Clara Hughes, Canada, 4:19.02. Americans: 16 (tied), Catherine
Raney, Elm Grove, Wis., 4:24.77. 26, Shana Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn, Ill.,
4:35.01. 30, Eva Rodansky, Salt Lake City, 4:36.10.
-
Q Sports relocates
(again)- Moving to where the action is...Q Sports has
relocated the corporate office to Salt Lake City::
10968 South Shilling Ave.
#3124
South Jordan, UT 84095
801-619-6262
-
Bootie
Breaks American Record
- Olympic Oval, Calgary, Canada, August 10, 2001 - Two time Olympian KC
Boutiette showed the skating world he knows it's an Olympic year!
In the heat of the summer, and nursing a back injury, KC claimed a new
American record in the 3000 meters on the opening day of the Summer Classic.
His lap times: 19.2, 29.3, 29.4, 29.6, 29.9, 30.2, 30.0, 30.2 - 3:48.27.
MLS
All-Star Game San Jose, CA, July 28, 2001 - The
Q Sports Skysurfers dropped in on the 2001 Major League Soccer
All-Star Game. As part of the game's opening ceremonies, skysurfer
Sean McCormick (filling in for Stefan Klaus) brought in the game ball and
landed his skyboard at center stage of Spartan Stadium in San Jose.
Just a few seconds later camera flyer Brian Rogers brought the house down
by swooooooooooooooping in and kicking the freshly delivered game ball,
all to the delight of 20,000+ fans. Watch for the Q Sports Skysurfers
at a MLS soccer match near you!
Q
Sports relocates - Onward and upward...Q Sports has relocated
the corporate office:
230 West Rainbow Ridge
Ste #1306
Oak Creek, Wisconsin 53154
ph/fax: 414-764-5293
-
Olympic Diary
- CNN/Sports Illustrated has asked Jennifer Rodriguez to chronicle
her journey to, and quest for Olympic gold. Read her diary enteries
at the CNNSI.com website.
Follow this link.
-
Parra
Wins Silver Medal on Opening day of World Single Distance Championships
KEARNS, Utah, March 9, 2001-Derek
Parra (San Bernardino, Calif.) picked a great day to make history.
On the first day of the World Single Distance Speedskating Championships
and opening of the Utah Olympic Oval, Parra won his first international
medal and became the first U.S. male skater to medal at the World Single
Distance Speedskating Championships since its inception in 1996.
Parra earned the silver in the men's 1500-meters
with an American record of 1 minute 46.20. American KC
Boutiette (Tacoma, Wash.) briefly held the American record after
skating a time of 1:47.30. Boutiette finished tenth in the competition.
"Words can't explain it for me right now,"
Parra stated at a post-race press conference. "I've been pretty consistent
all year in the top 10, usually
between fifth and eighth. To come out
today with this time is just incredible. Dreamlike. I felt good the whole
race. I had a decent opener and
went with it. I felt in control the whole
race, which is something I have not felt all year. I felt solid. I can't
describe how good it feels to be on the
podium. Finally...after all of these years."
Parra was joined on the podium by gold
medalist Adne Sondral of Norway, who skated a 1:46.10 while third-place
was the Netherlands' Erben Wennnemars.
In the women's 500-meters, Chris Witty
(West Allis, Wis.) broke her American record twice, while Amy Sannes (St.
Paul, Minn.) and Becky Sundstrom (Glen
Ellyn, Ill.) both posted personal best times. Witty broke her week-old
record with a time of 38.45 in her opening race. In her second 500, Witty
posted a 38.36. Witty's cumulative time of 1:16.81 gave her 12th-place.
Sannes picked up a pair of 38.77s to finish the 15th with a time 1:17.54.
Sundstrom skated a 39.04 in her first heat en route to a two-race total
of 1:17.98. The total was good enough for 19th-place.
Canada's Catriona Le May Doan set the record
for the event with a time of 37.29 en route to earning a gold medal with
a total time of 1:14.72.
In the ladies' 3000-meters, Jennifer
Rodriguez
(Miami) was the top American with a time of 4 minutes
6.63 seconds. Catherine Raney (Elm Grove, Wis.) picked up 20th place
with a time of 4:16.03 while Annie Driscoll (St. Paul, Minn.) recorded
a time of 4:19.64 to place 22nd.
The German trio of Gunda Niemann-Stirnemann,
Anni Friesinger, and Claudia Pechstein dominated the podium. The trio finished
first, second, and third, respectively.
Friday's Results
Women's 500-meters-1, Catriona Le May Doan,
Canada, 1 minute 14.72 (37.43/37.29, World Record). 2, Monique Garbrecht-Enfeldt,
Germany, 1:15.20 (37.71/37.49). 3, Svetlana Zhurova, Russia, 1:15.24 (37.69/37.55).
4, Sabine Voelker, Germany, 1:15.34 (37.72/37.62). 5, Andrea Nuyt, Netherlands,
1:16.35 (38.37/37.98). 6, Yukari Watanabe, Japan, 1:16.52 (38.39/38.13).
United States: 12, Chris Witty, West Allis, Wis., 1:16.81 (38.45/38.36,
American Record). 15, Amy Sannes, St. Paul, Minn., 1:17.54 (38.77/38.77).
19, Becky Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 1:17.98 (39.04/38.94).
Men's 1500-meters-1, Adne Sondral, Norway,
1 minute 46.10. 2, Derek Parra, San Bernardino, Calif., 1:46.20 (American
Record), 3, Erben Wennemars, Netherlands, 1:46.22. 4, Alexander Kibalko,
Russia, 1:46.42. 5, Yusuke Imai, Japan, 1:46.94. 6, Petter Andersen, Norway,
1:46.99. 6, Vadim Sayutin, Russia, 1:46.99. United States: 10, KC Boutiette,
Tacoma, Wash., 1:47.30.
Women's 3000-meters-1, Gunda Niemann-Stirnemann,
Germany, 4 minutes 00.34 seconds. 2, Anni Friesinger, Germany, 4:01.98.
3, Claudia Pechstein, Germany, 4:02.13. 4, Cindy Klassen, Canada, 4:02.41.
5, Maki Tabata, 4:03.74. 6, Barbara de Loor, Netherlands, 4:04.56. United
States: 9, Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami, 4:06.63. 20, Catherine Raney, Elm
Grove, Wis., 4:16.03. 22, Annie Driscoll, Roseville, Minn., 4:19.64.
-
ACA
Sponsors Derek Parra - Wed. March
7, 2001 - The American Chiropractic Association and the ACAuxiliary will
be officially sponsoring U.S. Olympic Speedskater Derek Parra. As part
of the sponsorship, Parra – a chiropractic advocate and patient – will
wear ACA’s official logo on his uniform and will help promote ACA and the
chiropractic profession through media and public relations opportunities
and personal appearances.
-
Rodriguez
and Parra Finish Atop Standings at
North America/Oceania Qualifier; Six Americans Qualify for World
Allround Speedskating Championships - MILWAUKEE, Wis., Jan. 14, 2001 -
Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami) and Derek Parra (San Bernardino, Calif.)
took home top honors while leading the United States to a successful weekend
at the North America/Oceania Regional Qualifier held at the Pettit National
Ice Center. Rodriguez, who won the women's competition
with 168.191 points, finished third in Sunday's 5000-meter competition
with a time of 7 minutes 36.50 seconds. Canada's Kristina Groves (7:31.45)
won the race. Groves (172.763) finished third-place overall in the ladies'
final standings while teammate Cindy Klassen (170.690) picked up second-place.
"I thought that the first two days went really well," Rodriguez said of
her weekend. "I was really surprised how well I did. I was really tired
for the 5000, but I was able to hold together. I think the past two weekends
(competing in the U.S. Allround Championships, Dec. 29-31 and the U.S.
Sprint Championships, Jan. 6-7) hit me. It is good to have these over with."
The top six women in the final standings qualify for the World Allround
Championships to be held in Budapest, Hungary, Feb. 9-11. Joining Rodriguez
on the American women's team is Annie Driscoll (Roseville, Minn.). Driscoll
finished sixth with 175.592 points.
In men's action, Parra won the 10,000-meters
with a time of 14 minutes 15.53 seconds. "It was a good feeling race,"
said Parra. "I skated 'fours' (34 second laps) and was able to feel a good
rythmn. It was like I was on cruise control. If you are not in a good rythmn
it can make the 10,000 a really tough race." Parra won
the men's overall standings with 157.301 points.
"I couldn't ask for a better weekend," Parra said. "It was a weekend with
good, solid technique. I am looking for good things in the future."
KC Boutiette (Tacoma, Wash.), Chris Callis (Sudlersville, Md.), and JP
Shilling (Baltimore, Md.) will join Parra at the World Allrounds. Boutiette
finished second (158.512), while Callis (160.223) and Shilling (160.696)
finished fifth and seventh, respectively. The top seven men qualified for
the World Allrounds. "I think both the men's and women's
teams did very well," U.S. Allround Coach Bart Schouten said. "We basically
doubled our quota (last year Rodriguez, Boutiette, and Parra were the only
Americans who qualified for the World Allrounds) from last year's Qualifier."Sunday's
ResultsLadies' 5000-meters1, Kristina Groves, Canada, 7 minutes 31.45 seconds.
2, Nicole Slot, Canada, 7:34.47. 3, Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami, 7:36.50.
4, Cindy Klassen, Canada,
7:38.82. 5, Tara Risling, Canada, 7:40.80.
6, Catherine Raney, Elm Grove, Wis., 7:41.28. 7, Cindy Overland, Canada,
7:41.79. 8, Selina Elm, Canada, 7:50.31. 9, Annie Driscoll, Roseville,
Minn., 7:54.74. 10, Shana Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 8:03.24. 11, Jackie
Linell, Roseville, Minn., 8:13.24. 12, Sarah Elliott, Oconomowoc, Wis.,
8:19.90.Men's 10,000-meters1, Derek Parra, San Bernardino, Calif., 14 minutes
15.53 seconds. 2, Dustin Molicki, Canada, 14:17.94. 3, KC Boutiette, Tacoma,
Wash., 14:22.00. 4, Jondon Trevena, Fort Collins, Colo., 14:23.60. 5, Mark
Knoll, Canada, 14:27.37. 6, Kevin Marshall, Canada, 14:27.57. 7, Jason
Hedstrand, Shoreview, Minn., 14:28.81. 8, Chris Callis, Sudlersville, Md.,
14:33.10. 9, JP Shilling, Baltimore, Md., 14:39.45. 10, James Ivey, Canada,
14:46.42. 11, Philippe Marois, Canada, 15:01.90.
Ladies' Standings (top six advance to
World Allround Speedskating Championships)1, Rodriguez, 168.191 points.
2, Klassen, 170.690. 3, Groves, 172.763. 4, Risling, 174.614. 5, Slot,
174.789. 6, Driscoll, 175.592. 7, Raney, 176.372. 8, Elm, 177.508. 9, Overland,
179.307. 10, Elliott, 179.583. 11, Sundstrom, 180.416. 12, Linell, 186.416.Men's
Standings (top seven advance to World Allround Speedskating Championships)1,
Parra, 157.301. 2, Boutiette, 158.512. 3, Molicki, 158.802. 4, Marshall,
159.052. 5, Callis, 160.223. 6, Knoll, 160.432. 7, Shilling, 160.696. 8,
Trevena, 160.748. 9, Hedstrand, 162.329. 10, Ivey, 162.449. 11, Marois,
164.125.
-
Rodriguez,
Parra Victorious on Second Day of U.S. Allround Championships
BUTTE, Mont., Dec. 30, 2000- Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami) and Derek Parra
(San Bernardino, Calif.) maintained their first-place standings at the
U.S. Allround Championships with victories in their respective races on
Saturday at the United States High Altitude Center. Rodriguez began the
day with a win in the ladies' 3000-meters. Rodriguez's time of 4 minutes
22.48 seconds bested the 4:33.50 posted by second-place Catherine Raney
(Elm Grove, Wis.). Annie Driscoll (Roseville, Minn.) earned the bronze
medal with a time of 4:36.94. The win gave Rodriguez a secure hold on first-place
with 125.712 samalog points. Entering Saturday's action, Rodriguez (81.966)
led Becky Sundstrom (82.290) of Glen Ellyn, Ill. and Amy Sannes (82.503)
of St. Paul, Minn. Sundstrom and Sannes did not compete on Saturday. The
two sprinters had raced on Friday to qualify for the 1500-meters for the
all-distance World Cups to be held in Heerenveen, Netherlands and Calgary,
Alberta and the allround World Cup competition in Hamar, Norway. Although
Rodriguez is on the cusp of claiming her second straight U.S. Allround
title, she will not compete in tomorrow's 5,000-meter competition. Skaters
in the top four positions after three events in the men's and women's standings
automatically qualify for the North American/Oceania Regional Qualifier
to be held in Milwaukee, Jan. 12-14, 2001. This event is the qualifier
for the February's World Allround Championships to be held in Budapest,
Hungary.
"It went a lot better than I thought it
would go," Rodriguez said of her weekend performance. "I was pretty happy
with my 1500- and 3000-meter races."Following Rodriguez, in the women's
standings are Driscoll (130.369), Raney (131.979), and Shana Sundstrom
of Glen Ellyn, Ill., who has earned 132.934 points.
Parra captured the men's 5000-meters with
a time of 6 minutes 58.11 seconds edging out KC Boutiette of Tacoma, Wash.,
who crossed the finish line with a time of 6:58.44.
"Derek's race was okay, he has been struggling
with his skates lately, so I am not 100 percent happy," U.S. National Allround
Coach Bart Schouten said. "We have a couple of things to figure out.""I
am getting my feeling back," Parra said. "I had lost it the last few weeks.
Hopefully, when I go back to Milwaukee, I will feel efficient and have
some good races."
Jondon Trevena (Fort Collins, Colo.) earned
the bronze medal in the men's 5000-meters, registering a time of 7:00.12.
"It is good to see Jondon back after battling mononucleosis," Schouten.
Like Rodriguez, Parra was coming off a
Friday in which he had earned a gold medal in the 1500-meters and a bronze
in the 500-meters. Also like Rodriguez, Parra will not compete tomorrow.
Currently, Parra (116.634) leads the men's standings followed by Boutiette
(116.777), Chris Callis of Sudlersville, Md., (117.508) and JP Shilling
of Baltimore (117.529).
Tomorrow's action will be at 11 a.m. MST
with the ladies' 5000-meters followed by the men's 10,000-meters. Sunday
will crown the U.S. Allround Champions and fill the two remaining positions
open in both the men's and women's competitions for the North American/Oceania
Regional Qualifier.
Saturday's Results
Ladies' 3000-meters
1, Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami, 4 minutes
22.48 seconds. 2, Catherine Raney, Elm Grove, Wis., 4:33.50. 3, Annie Driscoll,
Roseville, Minn., 4:36.94. 4, Shana Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 4:38.89.
5, Sarah Elliott, Oconomowoc, Wis., 4:41.69. 6, Jackie Linell, Roseville,
Minn., 4:43.62.
Ladies' Samalog Standings After Three Events
(top four qualify for North American/Oceania Regional Qualifier)
1, Rodriguez, 125.712 points. 2, Driscoll,
130.369. 3, Raney, 131.979. 4, Sundstrom, 132.934. 5, Elliott, 134.254.
6, Bonnie Whitehill, White Bear Lake, Minn., 136.333.
Men's 5000-meters
1, Derek Parra, San Bernardino, Calif.,
6 minutes 58.11 seconds. 2, KC Boutiette, Tacoma, Wash., 6:58.44. 3, Jondon
Trevena, Fort Collins, Colo., 7:00.12. 4, Tim Hoffman, Waukesha, Wis.,
7:03.14. 5, JP Shilling, Baltimore, Md., 7:03.93. 6, Jason Hedstrand, Shoreview,
Minn., 7:04.72.
-
FitzRandolph,
Witty Claim U.S. Sprint Championships
MILWAUKEE, Wis., Jan. 7, 2001 - The final
day of the U.S. Sprint Championships at the Pettit National Ice Center
saw the return of a past champion and the continued dominance of another.
Casey FitzRandolph (Verona, Wis.), the men's champion, claimed his first
U.S. Sprint title since 1997 on Sunday while Chris Witty (West Allis, Wis.)
continued her dominance with a fourth straight ladies' overall title.
FitzRandolph won the men's 500-meters with
a time of 36.00 seconds. The victory gave him his third gold medal of the
weekend. Meanwhile, Joey Cheek (Greensboro, N.C.) earned second in the
event with a time of 36.20.
Later in the day, FitzRandolph paired with
Nick Pearson (Vernon, Wis.) for an exciting 1000-meters. Pearson crossed
the finish line with a time of 1 minute 11.05 seconds edging FitzRandolph's
1:11.48. Pearson finished first in the event while FitzRandolph placed
third. Cheek recorded his fourth silver medal of the weekend with a time
of 1:11.29.
The two events today earned FitzRandolph
(143.620 points) his first U.S. Sprint crown since 1997. Cheek finished
second (144.000) while Pearson placed third with 144.945 points. The trio
will compete in the World Sprint Championships to be held Jan. 20-21 in
Inzell, Germany. Fourth-place Kip Carpenter (Brookfield, Wis.) will be
the team's alternate.
"It was more of a relief than anything,"
FitzRandolph said of his win. "I will be able to sleep tonight. I tried
to be really aggressive and not worry and skate hard and to my potential,
but it was hard to get the thoughts (of not winning) out of my head."
In the women's competition, Witty (157.130)
earned her fourth straight title as she picked up wins in the ladies' 500-
and 1000-meters. In both events, Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami) finished second
while Amy Sannes (St. Paul, Minn.) was third. Rodriguez (157.740) placed
second overall while Sannes finished third with 159.380 points.
Witty and Sannes will compete in the World
Sprints with fourth-place Becky Sundstrom (Glen Ellyn, Ill.). Sundstrom
replaced Rodriguez, who will serve as the unit's alternate, due to Rodriguez's
schedule over the next few weeks.
Rodriguez' schedule includes next week's
North American/Oceania Regional Qualifier, which will be held in Milwaukee,
Jan. 12-14.
The Junior Sprint champions were Eric Krantz
(Elgin, Ill.) for the men with 151.330 points while Becky Lang (Waupaca,
Wis.) was the women's junior champion with 172.395 points.
Sunday's Results
Ladies' 500-meters
1, Chris Witty, West Allis., Wis., 39.75.
2, Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami, 39.78. 3, Amy Sannes, St. Paul, Minn., 39.90.
4, Becky Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 40.29. 5, Elli Ochowicz, Waukesha,
Wis., 41.24. 6, Annie Driscoll, Roseville, Minn., 41.58. 7, Jamie Grundstrom,
Maplewood, Minn., 42.29. 8, Amber Holt, Torrance, Calif., 42.97. 9, Becky
Lang, Waupaca, Wis., 43.13. 10, Bonnie Whitehill, White Bear Lake, Minn.,
43.47.
Ladies' 1000-meters
1, Witty, 1:17.51. 2, Rodriguez, 1:18.21.
3, Sannes, 1:19.06. 4, Sundstrom, 1:19.80. 5, Ochowicz, 1:23.67. 6, Grundstrom,
1:25.34. 7, Rebekah Bradford, Apple Valley, Minn., 1:25.64. 8, Holt, 1:25.98.
9, Lang, 1:26.03. 10, Whitehill, 1:27.02.
Ladies' Overall Standings
1, Witty, 157.130. 2, Rodriguez, 157.740.
3, Sannes, 159.380. 4, Sundstrom, 160.400. 5, Grundstrom, 170.070. 6, Lang,
172.395. 7, Holt, 172.825. 8, Whitehill, 175.135. 9, Heidi Stangl, 175.655.
10, Sarah Parker, Roseville, Minn., 178.890.
Ladies' Junior Overall Standings
1, Lang, 172.395. 2, Stangl, 175.655.
3, Sarah Goff, Madison, Wis., 179.050. 4, Ashlie Brown, Kearns, Utah, 182.535.
5, Diana Krogman, Roseville, Minn., 183.785. 6, Margaret Crowley, Winnetka,
Ill., 184.530. 7, Nancy Swider-Peltz Jr., Wheaton, Ill., 186.285. 8, Katrina
Whittenberger, West Allis, Wis., 186.730. 9, Ashlee Barnett, Minneapolis,
Minn., 188.430. 10, Leah Priestaf, Franklin, Wis., 188.570.
Men's 500-meters
1, Casey FitzRandolph, Verona, Wis., 36.00.
2, Joey Cheek, Greensboro, N.C., 36.20. 3, Kip Carpenter, Brookfield, Wis.,
36.58. 4, Nick Pearson, Vernon, Wis., 36.67. 5, David Cruikshank, Delafield,
Wis., 36.98. 6, KC Boutiette, Tacoma, Wash., 37.12. 7, Derek Parra, San
Bernardino, Calif., 37.19. 8, Marc Pelchat, Chelmsford, Mass., 37.31. 9,
JP Shilling, Baltimore, Md., 37.33. 10, Matthew Passarella, Fon du Lac,
Wis., 37.36.
Men's 1000-meters
1, Pearson, 1:11.05. 2, Cheek, 1:11.29.
3, FitzRandolph, 1:11.48. 4, Kip Carpenter, 1:12.09. 5, Parra, 1:12.37.
6, Shilling, 1:12.84. 7, Boutiette, 1:13.27. 8, Chris Callis, Sudlersville,
Md., 1:13.42. 9, Lucas Mills, Washington, D.C., 1:14.17. 10, Cory Carpenter,
Brookfield, Wis., 1:14.64.
Men's Overall Standings
1, FitzRandolph, 143.620. 2, Cheek, 144.000.
3, Pearson, 144.945. 4, Kip Carpenter, 145.905. 5, Parra, 146.390. 6, Boutiette,
146.700. 7, Shilling, 147.795. 8, Callis, 148.180. 9, Cruikshank, 149.190.
10, Passarella, 149.625.
-
Rodriguez
Earns
Silver, American Record at Heerenveen World Cup
HEERENVEEN,
Netherlands, Nov. 26, 2000 - Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami) roared to a second-place
finish and an American record in the ladies'1500-meter competition on Sunday
at the long track speedskating World Cup at Thialf Ice Stadium. Rodriguez
earned a silver medal with a time of 1 minute 57.02 seconds. The time eclipsed
the two-year old American record in the event held by Chris Witty. Witty,
the previous record-holder, skated 1:57.68 in Calgary, March 29, 1998.
Before her record-setting performance, Rodriguez's personal best in the
1500-meters was 1:57.76, set in Calgary on Oct. 23, 1999."It was close
to a perfect race and it was nice to get a personal best," Rodriguez said
of her performance. "It is great to see Jennifer Rodriguez back up where
she belongs," said U.S. Speedskating Western Regional Coach Tom Cushman.
"She had a fantastic race and was strong throughout the whole race."The
winner of the ladies' Division A 1500-meters competition was Germany's
Anni Friesinger with a time of 1:56.73.In men's Division A 10,000-meter
action, Derek Parra (Greenfield, Wis.) finished 14th overall. Parra's time
of 13 minutes 45.63 seconds was a personal best by nearly 10 seconds. Parra's
previous best was 13:55.23.The Netherlands' Gianni Romme won the event
with a World-record time of 13:03.40."It was another good weekend. I was
happy with my performances and my personal best on the 10k," Parra said.
"These World Cups were a great start to the season."Ladies' Division B
1500-meters action saw Annie Driscoll (Roseville, Minn.) post a seventh-place
finish with a time of 2:04.97. Teammates Catherine Raney of Elm Grove,
Wis. (2:05.87) and Sarah Elliott of Oconomowoc, Wis. (2:06.01) placed 11th
and 13th, respectively.
KC Boutiette (Tacoma,
Wash.) was 10th in the men's Division B 10,000-meter competition with a
time of 13:55.05 while Jason Hedstrand (Shoreview, Minn.) placed 13th with
a career-best time of 13:58.95. "It feels great to beat a Calgary personal
best and break the 14-minute
barrier," said Hedstrand.
"The strategy to focus on technique and letting the times come by themselves
is working great for me."The weekend left U.S. Allround Coach Bart Schouten
pleased. "Today was an awesome day that gave the whole U.S. team momentum.
Everybody skated very
well, topped off
by Jennifer Rodriguez's silver medal," Schouten said. "The team is leaving
the Fall World Cups behind with a great feeling and is
excited about things
to come. The next allround World Cup is again in Heerenveen (Feb. 2-4,
2001) and we can't wait to get back."The next long track World Cup competition
will consist of the sprint events (500- and 1000-meters) and will take
place Dec. 9-10 in Seoul, Korea.Sunday's Results Ladies' Division A 1500-meters-1,
Anni Friesinger, Germany, 1 minute 56.73. 2, Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami,
1:57.02 (American Record). 3, Gunda Niemann, Germany, 1:57.61. Ladies'
Division B 1500-meters-1, Judith Straathof, Netherlands, 2:03.47. 2, Kanae
Kobyashi, Japan, 2:03.86. 3, Edel Therese Hoiseth, Norway, 2:03.90. Americans:
7, Annie Driscoll, Roseville, Minn., 2:04.97. 11, Catherine Raney, Elm
Grove, Wis., 2:05.87. 13, Sarah Elliott, Oconomowoc, Wis., 2:06.01. Men's
Division A 10,000-meters-1, Gianni Romme, Netherlands, 13 minutes 3.40
seconds (World Record).
2, Bob de Jong, Netherlands, 13:26.62. 3, Vadim Sayutin, Russia, 13:27.19.
American: 14, Derek Parra, Greenfield, Wis., 13:45.63.Men's Division B
10,000-meters-1, Brigt Rykkje, Netherlands, 13:35.25. 2, Toshihiko Itokawa,
Japan, 13:38.31. 3, Remi Hereide, Norway, 13:38.90. Americans: 10, KC Boutiette,
Tacoma, Wash., 13:55.05. 13, Jason Hedstrand, Shoreview, Minn., 13:58.95.
HEERENVEEN, Netherlands,
Nov. 25, 2000 - The opening day of the long track speedskating World Cup
at Thialf Ice Stadium saw Derek Parra (Greenfield, Wis.) lead the way for
the United States. Parra finished ninth overall in the men's
1500-meters Division A race with a
time of 1 minute
49.98 seconds. Although he placed in the top ten,
Parra thought he could have placed higher. "I'm a little frustrated," he
said. "I thought I could have been top five today, but I did not skate
that well technically. Ninth place is okay, but I can be in there." Also
skating in the men's 1500-meter Division A competition was KC Boutiette
(Tacoma, Wash.). Boutiette (1:50.50) placed 14th overall. The
Netherlands' Erben Wennemars (1:47.52) won the event while teammates Rintje
Ritsma (1:48.92) and Gianni Romme (1:49.13) placed second and third, respectively.
Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami) placed 12th overall in the ladies 5000-meter
Division A race with a time of 7 minutes 20.78 seconds. "Jennifer Rodriguez
skated a solid 5000, showing good endurance," said Schouten. Germany's
Gunda Niemann, who turned in a World record time of 6:55.34, won the race.
In the men's 1500-meter Division B competition, Chris Callis (Sudlersville,
Md.) placed fifth (1:52.10) while Lucas Mills (Washington, D.C.) was 26th
(1:55.01). "Not too shabby for a new guy (on the World Cup circuit)," said
Callis of his finish and the five points he earned as a result of his finish."Chris
showed in only his second World Cup race that he has potential by scoring
World Cup points," said Schouten.The women saw Catherine Raney (Elm Grove,
Wis.) earn fifth in the 5000-meters Division B competition with a time
of 7:33.05. Sarah Elliott (Oconomowoc, Wis.) was 21st with a time of 8:02.07.
After the race, Raney was pleased with her effort. "I am psyched," she
said.
"This was a personal
best and the most even laps in the 5k I have ever raced."
After the first day of the event Schouten was encouraged by the results
of the team. "The U.S. team had a good day of racing," he said. "We are
looking forward to training back home in the States to come out even better
in January, February and at the World Single Distance Championships in
Salt Lake City in March". Tomorrow the event concludes with the ladies'
1500-meters and the men's 10,000 meter competitions. Saturday's Results
Ladies' Division A 5000-meters-1, Gunda Niemann, Germany, 6 minutes 55.34
seconds (World Record). 2, Anni Friesinger, Germany, 7:03.34. 3, Maki Tabata,
Japan, 7:05.61. American: 12, Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami, 7:20.78. Ladies'
Division B 5000-meters-1, Cindy Overland, Canada, 7:20.35. 2, Svetlana
Vysokova, Russia, 7:22.08. 3, Claudia Irrgang, Germany, 7:26.30. Americans:
5, Catherine Raney, Elm Grove, Wis., 7:33.05. 21, Sarah Elliott, Oconomowoc,
Wis., 8:02.07. Men's Division A 1500-meters-1, Erben Wennemars, Netherlands,
1:47.52. 2,Rintje Ritsma, Netherlands, 1:48.92. 3, Gianni Romme, Netherlands,
1:49.13. Americans: 9, Derek Parra, Greenfield, Wis., 1:49.98. 14, KC Boutiette,
Tacoma, Wash., 1:50.50. Men's Division B 1500-meters-1, Petter Andersen,
Norway, 1:50.57. 2, Yevgeny Lalenkov, Russia, 1:50.99. 3, Eskil Ervik,
Norway, 1:51.40. Americans: 5,
Chris Callis, Sudlersville
Md., 1:52.10. 26, Lucas Mills, Washington, D.C., 1:55.01.
Parra
Leads
Way on Opening Day of Season Opening World Cup -
BERLIN,
Nov. 18, 2000-Derek Parra (Greenfield, Wis.) was the top finisher on the
opening day of the season opening long track speedskating World Cup competition
in Berlin. Parra placed seventh overall in the men's 1500-meter competition
with a time of 1 minute 50.47 seconds. Rintje Ritsma of Holland won
with a time of 1:48.61.
After the race, Parra offered this assessment
of his race stating, "This race was a good start of the season. It was
a good race, but we saw there was room for improvement, so I am looking
forward to the rest of the season." "Derek had a good race, but was
chasing after his opponent a little too much, causing him to fatigue early
in the race," said U.S. National Allround Coach Bart Schouten. "Nonetheless,
Derek had his highest finish in a World Cup race ever, and with fine-tuning
in training that is still planned for, I expect him to do very well in
the rest of the season."
KC Boutiette (Tacoma, Wash.) finished
15th in the men's 1500-meters (1:51.18). Boutiette said, "It was a solid
race." U.S. Speedskating Western Regional Coach Tom Cushman
was impressed with Boutiette's performance, stating, "After a tough season
last year, he is
definitely on his way back. Another 1/2
second and he would have been top 10." Schouten
echoed Cushman's assessment, stating, "It is good to see KC is on the way
up, he will move his way up the rankings through the season." Chris Callis
(Sudlersville, Md.) and Lucas Mills (Washington, D.C.) placed 31st (1:53.34)
and 50th (1:55.76) respectively. "Chris Callis held his own at his first
ever World Cup and had a good race, with room for improvement," said
Schouten. "He can be a factor in the future when his experience and maturity
(he is 21) are at a higher level." In the ladies' 3000-meter competition,
Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami) was 17th with a time of 4 minutes 19.49 seconds.
Germany's Gunda Niemann (4:03.73) won the event. Catherine Raney (Elm Grove,
Wis.) was the top American finisher in the ladies' 3000-meters Division
B competition, placing 10th (4:26.78). Sarah Elliott (Oconomowoc, Wis.)
was 14th with a time of 4:29.48. The two-day event concludes tomorrow with
the men's 5000-meters and ladies' 1500-meters.Saturday's ResultsLadies'
3000-meters Division A 1, Gunda Niemann, Germany, 4 minutes 3.73 seconds.
2, Anni Friesinger, Germany, 4:08.45. 3, Renate Groenewold, Netherlands,
4:09.32. American: 17, Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami, 4:19.49. Ladies' 3000-meters
Division B 1, Marja Vis, Netherlands, 4:14.63. 2, Nicole Slot, Canada,
4:21.89. 3, Anna Savelyeva, Russia, 4:22.52. Americans: 10, Catherine Raney,
Elm Grove, Wis., 4:26.78. 14, Sarah Elliott, Oconomowoc, Wis., 4:29.48.
Men's 1500-meters Division A 1, Rintje Ritsma, Netherlands, 1 minute 48.61
seconds. 2, Hiroyuki Noake, Japan, 1:49.01. 3, Alexandr Kibalko, Russia,
1:49.18. Americans: 7, Derek Parra, Greenfield, Wis., 1:50.47. 15, KC Boutiette,
Tacoma, Wash., 1:51.18. 31, Chris Callis, Sudlersville, Md., 1:53.34. 50,
Lucas Mills, Washington, D.C., 1:55.76.
BERLIN, Nov. 19, 2000-A day after placing
seventh in the men's 1500-meters, Derek Parra (Greenfield, Wis.) turned
in another solid day of skating. Parra, skating in the men's 5000-meters
Division B event, placed third with a time of 6 minutes 38.22 seconds.
"Today was another surprising day," said Parra. " I was not sure how the
back injury I had for three months this summer would affect my performance,
but I
am doing better than ever. My focus on
technique this summer really paid off and I am starting my normal training
program again this week, so I am looking forward to the rest of the season."U.S.
National Allround Coach Bart Schouten was also pleased with Parra's progress,
stating, "Derek did very well, skating the 10th best time of the day, his
best finish ever in the 5000. He skated in Division B because of last year's
World Cup ranking, but he really showed he belongs in the top 10 in the
World this weekend. The race was a good one, but again there is room
for improvement." Also skating in the
event was KC Boutiette (Tacoma, Wash.). Boutiette placed seventh overall
(6:42.56) in the men's 5000-meters Division B competition, a day after
placing 15th in the men's 1500-meter Division A race. "I had a good, solid
weekend," said Boutiette. "KC showed a good continuation of progress
in today's 5000. His skating is getting better every day and his allround
distances are coming back to him," said Schouten.Jason Hedstrand (Shoreview,
Minn.) finished 24th in the competition with a time of 6:55.22. Poland's
Jaromir Radke (6:35.22) won the event.The men's 5000-meter Division A competition
was captured by the Netherlands Gianni Romme, who finished with a time
6:25.53.Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami) was the top finisher for the United
States in the ladies' 1500-meter Division A competition. Rodriguez (2:01.52)
placed 15th behind winner, Anni Friesinger of Germany (1:57.71). Rodriguez
was 17th in the ladies' 3000-meter Division A competition yesterday.Annie
Driscoll (Roseville, Minn.) placed 27th with a time of 2:05.85 while Catherine
Raney (Elm Grove, Wis.) recorded a time of 2:06.67 to finish 31st. Sarah
Elliott (Oconomowoc, Wis.) was tied for 37th (2:07.50).World Cup action
resumes next Saturday in Heerenveen, Netherlands.Sunday's ResultsLadies'
1500-meters Division A1, Anni Friesinger, Germany, 1 minute 57.71 seconds.
2, Gunda Niemann,
Germany, 1:58.69. 3, Renate Groenewold,
Netherlands, 1:59.15. Americans: 15, Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami, 2:01.52.
27, Annie Driscoll, Roseville, Minn., 2:05.85. 31, Catherine Raney, Elm
Grove, Wis., 2:06.67. 37 (tied), Sarah Elliott, Oconomowoc, Wis., 2:07.50.Men's
5000-meters Division A1, Gianni Romme, Netherlands, 6 minutes 25.53 seconds.
2, Rintje Ritsma, Netherlands, 6:32.29. 3, Carl Verheijen, Netherlands,
6:34.66.Men's 5000-meters Division B1, Jaromir Radke, Poland, 6:35.22.
2, Dmitry Shepel, Russia, 6:36.85. 3, Derek Parra, Greenfield, Wis., 6:38.22.
Americans: 7, KC Boutiette, Tacoma, Wash., 6:42.56. 24, Jason Hedstrand,
Shoreview, Minn., 6:55.22.
-
Nicole
Reinhart - Killed in Arlington Cycling Accident - 9/17/00:
By
John Alsedek, cyclingnews.com correspondent
Having won the
three previous events of the four-race BMC Software Grand Prix Series,
Gord Fraser and Nicole Reinhart were poised to win a quarter-million dollars
each, provided they emerged victorious in today's BMC Tour of Boston. Not
surprisingly, given what was at stake, there were rumblings of teams being
bought to help Fraser and Reinhart, of the race organizers changing the
course in an effort to hinder them, and every other conceivable charge
of collusion and conspiracy.
It took just a
moment for all those murmerings to be rendered utterly insignificant as
at 1:27 pm EST, Saturn rider Nicole Reinhart was pronounced dead at an
area hospital as a result of multiple head trauma suffered in a crash near
the finish. The BMC Tour of Boston, held in the suburb of Arlington, had
proven to be a difficult race for Reinhart from the start - though not
because of the climbing, as would have been expected, given her reputation
as a sprint specialist. Instead, she was involved in a crash during the
second of twelve laps; Reinhart was unhurt, but badly shaken and over 90
seconds down on the field, which was being led by the AutoTrader.com squad.
Still, Team Saturn kept its collective cool and, while Leigh Hobson (Charles
Schwab) and Sue Palmer-Komar (Jane Cosmetics) were battling it out for
the Queen of the Mountain prize, the entire team dropped back to bring
Reinhart back to the rapidly-dwindling peloton. At that they succeeded
during the seventh lap, at which point they looked to have things well
in hand, covering attacks by Hobson, Palmer-Komar, and a solo move by Pam
Schuster that reached a maximum lead of
20 seconds before she was reeled back in. Going up the climb on the final
lap, Reinhart was courageously hanging tough with the remaining fifteen
riders in the main bunch...and then it happened: as the riders made the
final twisting descent from the Park Avenue climb, there was an accident
as they were setting up for the penultimate turn, and Reinhart struck a
tree. As Tina Mayolo (AutoTrader.com) took the sprint win from Laura Van
Gilder (Charles Schwab)and Caren Spore (Jane Cosmetics), Reinhart was receiving
emergency care. As the men's race continued to be delayed, rumors of Reinhart's
death began to circulate until, at 2:00 pm, the horrible truth was revealed
to a suddenly dumbstruck crowd. People who hadn't even known of Nicole
Reinhart's existence before today were left in tears, while her fellow
racers consoled one another in a display of unity that would have been
greatly welcomed under other circumstances. The men's race was cancelled,
while the riders did a ceremonial lap for their fallen comrade.
BMC
Software will be taking the $250,000 bonus money from the BMC Grand Prix
which Nicole, by virtue of having won the three previous BMC Grand Prix
races, was in line to win. They will work with USA Cycling and the Reinhart
family to create a foundation in memory of Nicole.
for
more info visit cyclingnews.com
|
-
2000
X-Games -
Just
two years ago Stefan Klaus and Brian Rogers got into the X-Games as an
"alternate" team. When one of the teams from Brazil decided not to
make the trip to the X-Games, Klaus and Rogers made good on their debut
appearance at the Games finishing fourth. Last year they climbed
the podium to the silver medal step. This year, with only one step
left to take, they delivered some cutting edge skysurfing acrobatics to
capture the biggest prize in the sport...X Games Gold.
Click
here to read about it and view pics from the competition.
-
Perris
Valley Skydive - August, 2000. Just in time to
help the Yahoo! Skysurfers do some
last minute fine tuning in preparation for the 2000 X-Games the Perris
Valley Skydive center has come on board as a new team sponsor. Perris
Valley is widely regarded as one of the premier drop-zones in the world
and this year plays host to the 2000 US Nationals (beginning 9/29/00).
Whether you're a first time jumper, or a seasoned veteran of the sky, Perris
Valley is the place to be. Call them directly at
800-832-8818
or for more info about Perris
Valley follow this link.
-
- Yahoo! Inc.
has decided to stick with Stefan Klaus and Brian
Rogers for another season. Last year the team captured
the silver medal at the X-Games as well as a number one world rank!
This year they're looking for Gold. In addition, watch for the team
delivering the "game ball" at some of this fall's San Francisco 49er games.
They'll also be heading to Australia and Japan to show their stuff on the
international skysurfing circuit.
-
Baselga
Di Pine, Italy, 02-12-00 - It was KC Boutiette's
afternoon at the long track speedskating World Cup Saturday.
Boutiette (Tacoma,WA.) led the American team by earning a bronze medal
in the men's Division A 1500-meter competition. Boutiette (1 minute
51.88 seconds) finished third in the competition behind the Netherlands'
Ids Postma (1:50.77), who won the race. Hiroyuki Noake of Japan was second
(1:51.30). National Allround Head Coach Bart Schouten cited
Boutiette's decision to switch back to his old skates as a reason for his
success on Saturday.Boutiette agreed stating, "It is amazing what a difference
a pair of skates can make." "It was a great race and I felt it was going
to be close to the podium," said Schouten. " KC thought it would be top
10, but I told him he might be surprised and to his surprise he was on
the podium."Schouten said it was "amazing" what Boutiette did considering
many of his teammates were suffering from jet lag and the adjustment to
the altitude.
Sports
Illustrated - Inside Olympic Sports, 1/31/2000
Unlikely speed skating stars KC Boutiette
and Jennifer Rodriguez pair up
IN 1992 WHEN KC Boutiette,
then a scruffy
pensate for his awkward stride. Six weeks later
22-year-old m-hne skater,
metjennifer Rodnguez, Boutiette made his
first Olympic team and
a 16-year-old artistic roller
queen, you could placed 39th in the
1,500 meters at Lilleham-
hardly have unagined a more
unlikely pair to be- mer. In '98 he won no medals
but broke U.S.
come the first couple of
speed skating. Neither records in three events
(the 1,500, 5,000 and
had even seen an ice oval,
and neither had any 10,000) at the
Nagano Games. He has also com-
desire to see the other
again. Ever. 'He was so peed in downhill
skating at the X-Games and
gross,' Rodriguez recalls.
'He pretended to limp, won the loo-ldlometer world in4ine
champi-
like in those old monster
movies. His hair-ew, onship in New
York City's Central Park.
so dorky. You know how some
girls drearn,'Oh,
The Miami-born Rodriguez was a 12-time
I want to be with that guy2'
Never KC. Uh-uh. world medalist
in artistic and speed roller skat-
Nope. Not a chance. Feesh,
not at all@
ing events when Boutiette persuaded her to
Today the couple has four
U.S. Alkound titles, join him in Milwaukee in 1996
and coaxed her
eight national records and
three Olympic berths onto the ice. The transition
was hardly smooth
between them. Their wed-
ding is set for April 2002,
two months after the Salt
Lake City Games. Each has
the Olympic rings tattooed
on an ankle, and she has
warmed to his blond-
streaked 'do. They began
dating in 1996, after Rodri-
guez realized Boutiette
was
actually a pleasant if kooky
guy who always made her
laugh.
By his own account
Boutiette pretty much over
slept his way through high
school in Tacoma, Wash.,
while he skated in-line
for
fun and worked the might
shift, sometimes until 2
am washing UPS trucks skating. 'I went home [from
practice] every
for $100 a week. In November
'93, on a spur- day crying,"
says Rodriguez, whose father
of-the-moment quest for
a new challenge, he
emigrated from Cuba. Within months, howev-
took a 30-hour bus ride
to Milwaukee, the home er, she was
racing in Italy, where, she says, 'I
of the Pettit National Ice
Center, one of speed beat [only] the people
who fell" In '98, after
skating's most prominent
venues and the site becoming
the first Hispanic American to make
of next weeles world championships.
With no a U.S. Winter
Olympic team, she placed fourth
ice skates and no ride,
he in-lined five miles in the 3@000
in Nagano.
from a friend's house to
the oval, rented blades NM week
Rodriguez and Boutiette will skate
he screwed onto his roaring
green in-line boots in Milwaukee, where they
have a shot at their
and skated out of a three-point
football start. first medals in a world championships.
In the
While others avoided Boutiette
like rutted ice, meantime, watching the pair
holding hands be-
iconoclastic coach Bob Fenn,
who admitted he tween effortless
training laps these days, it's
"didet know KC Boutiette
from KC and the
hard to believe their relationship was once on
Sunshine Band,' welcomed
this fellow rebel
thin ice and their skating careers wereift.
and fitted him with off-center
blades to com-
-Brian Cazeneave |
-
January
15-17, 2000 - Calgary Canada - After capturing the US National Championship
less than one month ago Derek Parra
lead the way at the World Championships North
American Qualifier this weekend in Calgary Canada. Parra
set three new American Records - all previously held by teammate
KC Boutiette. Boutiette and Jennifer Rodriguez
also had strong showings over the weekend and will join Parra to take on
the rest of the world at the World Speedskating Championship coming up
Feb. 5-6 and Milwaukee's Pettit National Ice Center. Read the full
story below:
Summary:
Parra Breaks Three American Records; Leads Trio of American Skaters
Qualified for the World Allround Championships
Calgary, Alberta, January
16, 2000 - Derek Parra (Greenfield, Wis.) leads the trio of American speedskaters
who qualified for the World Allround Championships hosted at the Continental
Cup held at the Olympic Oval in Calgary this weekend. En route to securing
the spot, Parra set three American records (1500- and 5000-meters and allround
samalog).Joining Parra for the World Allround Championships, to be hosted
in Milwaukee, Wis., Feb. 5-6, are KC Boutiette (Tacoma, Wash.) and
Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.). The top five overall finishers in the
men's competition and top four in the women's qualified for the World Allrounds.
The Continental Cup was the North American/Oceania Regional Qualifier for
the World Allround Championships.
Parra clinched second place
overall at the competition with his fourth-place finish in the men's 10,000-meters
with a time of 13:56.52. Canada's Steven Elm (13:49.20) won the race.
The fourth place finish gave Parra the American allround samalog record
(154.009) eclipsing Boutiette's record of 155.710 set Feb. 6-7, 1999,
in Hamar, Norway. Boutiette also beat out his old American standard with
154.609 points while finishing fourth overall. Canada's Kevin Marshall
(153.768) won the men's overall title. Entering the day
Parra, was skating at a torrid pace, breaking two American records. On
Friday, he broke Boutiette's 5000-meter record of 6:39.67 set Feb. 6, 1999
in Hamar, by skating a 6:34.43 on his way to winning the race.
On Saturday, Parra broke
Boutiette's record in the 1500-meters, a record set on March 28,
1998 in Calgary with a time of 1:48.55. In a tightly run 1500-meters, Parra
(1:47.55) broke the record. Teammate Nick Pearson (Vernon, Wis.) who skated
a 1:47.93, and Boutiette who registered a 1:48.13 also beat the old mark.
Parra finished second to Canada's Kevin Marshall (1:47.49). Marshall's
time set the Canadian record for the event. Pearson and Boutiette finished
third and fifth respectively, in the race.
For the women, Rodriguez
qualified for the World Allrounds by finishing third overall with 166.049
points. Canada's Cindy Overland (165.427) was the overall winner.
On Sunday, Rodriguez (7:25.08) finished fifth in the women's 5000-meter
race.
Canada's Kristina Groves
(7:15.78) won the race. The next event for the skaters
will be the World Cup in Calgary, Jan. 29-30.
Friday's Results
Women's 500-meter-1, Jennifer
Rodriguez, Miami Fla., 39.36. 2, Cindy Klassen, Canada, 39.46. 3, Cindy
Overland, Canada, 39.89. Also: 5, Ann Driscoll, Roseville, Minn., 40.88.
6, Shana Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 41.05. 7, Sarah Elliot, Oconomowoc,
Wis., 41.610. 11, Jackie Linell, Roseville, Minn., 42.88. 12, Catherine
Raney, Elm Grove, Wis., 42.91.
Men's 500-meter-1, Joey Cheek,
Greensboro, N.C., 36.16. 2, Nick Pearson, Vernon, Wis., 36.44. 3, KC Boutiette,
Tacoma, Wash., 36.66. Also: 5, Derek Parra, Greenfield, Wis., 36.89.
10, Jason Hedstrand, Shoreview, Minn., 39.23. Fall, Jondon Trevena, Fort
Collins, Colo., 1:13.32.
Women's 3000-meter-1, Cindy
Overland, 4:11.64 (Canadian Record). 2, Kristina Groves, Canada, 4:13.09.
3, Rodriguez, 4:14.03. Also: 6, Elliot, 4:21.49. 7, Raney, 4:21.70. 10,
Sundstrom, 4:24.12. 11, Linell, 4:28.96. 12, Driscoll, 4:29.07.
Men's 5000-meter-1, Parra,
6:34.43 (American Record). 2, Marshall, 6:34.82. 3, Steven Elm, 6:36.37.
Also: 6, Boutiette, 6:40.40. 8, Trevena, 6:42.47. 9, Hedstrand, 6:46.49.
10, Pearson, 6:47.59. 12, Cheek, 6:57.32.
Saturday's Results
Women's 1500-meters-1, Overland,
1:59.28. 2, Rodriguez, 1:59.53. 3, Klassen, 2:00.47. Also: 6, Elliot, 2:03.61.
7, Driscoll, 2:04.33. 8, Raney, 2:04.66. 11, Shana Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn,
Ill., 2:05.68. 12, Linell, 2:07.41.
Men's 1500-meters-1, Kevin
Marshall, Canada, 1:47.49 (Canadian Record). 2, Parra, 1:47.55 (American
Record). 3, Nick Pearson, Vernon, Wis. 1:47.93. Also: 5, Boutiette, 1:48.13.
8, Cheek, 1:49.08. 10, Trevena, 1:50.14. 12, Hedstrand, 1:53.11.
Sunday's Results
Women's 5000-meters-1, Groves,
7:15.78 (Canadian Record); 2, Klassen, 7:16.26. 3, Overland, 7:18.37. Also:
5, Rodriguez, 7:25.08. 7, Raney, 7:40.87. 8, Elliot, 7:46.58. 9, Driscoll,
7:47.00. Fall, Sundstrom.
Men's 10,000-meters-1, Elm,
13:49.20. 2, Marshall, 13:54.72. 3, Trevena, 13:55.60. 4, Parra, 13:56.52.
5, Boutiette, 13:57.33. 7, Hedstrand, 14:04.13. 9, Cheek, 14:13.01. 12,
Pearson, 14:25.18.
Women's Final Overall Standings
(top four qualify for World Allrounds Championships)-1, Overland, 165.427.
2, Klassen, 166.015. 3, Rodriguez, 166.049. 4, Groves, 166.835. Also: 6,
Elliot, 173.032. 8, Driscoll, 173.860. 9, Raney, 174.166. NR, Sundstrom.
Men's Final Overall Standings
(top five qualify for World Allround Championships)-1, Marshall, 153.768.
2, Parra, 154.009 (American Record). 3, Elm, 154.460. 4, Boutiette, 154.609.
5, Mark Knoll, Canada, 155.244. Also: 6, Pearson, 156.434. 7, Cheek, 156.942.
8, Hedstrand, 159.788. 11, Trevena, 192.060. |
-
December
18-20, 1999 - Congrats to Q Sporters
Jen Rodriguez and
Derek Parra - the new 2000 US National Champions!
Rodriguez took home five gold medals in a landslide victory while Parra
battled KC Boutiette
down to the final event.
Get
the whole story here.
-
Innsbruck,
Austria, Dec. 12, 1999 - The U.S. long track speedskating team finished
strong on the second and final day of sprint World Cup competition held
at the Olympiastadion Ice Oval in Innsbruck, Austria, on Sunday. Casey
FitzRandolph (Verona, Wis.) and Becky
Sundstrom (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) both
picked up silver medals to the lead the U.S. squad. - follow
this link for the full story.
-
November, 1999
-
- Has renewed it's relationship with snowboarder Jeff Archibald (who, by
the way, has been kicking but in the early season training runs!).
Carrera makes some of the best ski and snowboard optics going. Click
on their logo for more info.
-
October 29-31, 1999 - The Q Sports speedskaters
kicked off the new season right where they left off last year - on top!
Lead by Cory and Kip Carpenter, and
Jennifer
Rodriguez, the Q Sporters literally dominated the 1999
Fall World Cup qualifying competition. The men's 500 meter competition
was a one-two finish for the Carpenter brothers, with Kip
taking top honors in a personal best finishing time of 37.19 - how fast
can this guy go! KC Boutiette
was third, followed by Derek Parra. Jen
Rodriguez took the women's 500 meters in 40.62 seconds.
The men's 1000 meters was again a "who's who" at Q Sports! This time
is was Cory Carpenter on the top step
of the podium, in at 1:13.50. Cory was followed by KC
Boutiette (1:14.02), Derek Parra
(1:14.03) and younger brother Kip Carpenter
in 4th (1:14.18). In the women's 3000 meters it was all Shana
Sundstrom, who finished first in 4:33.68.
-
Oct. 1, 1999 -
is the latest, and "highest tech" sponsor of KC Boutiette. Hypoxico
Inc. manufactures low oxygen (hypoxic) training rooms and sleeping tents
(like we said, high tech!). The Hypoxic Room System and the Hypoxic
Tent System simulate the low oxygen environment found at mountain elevations
and provide the user with all of the benefits of altitude training no matter
where you are. In fact, the Hypoxic Tent System was designed
with the traveling athlete in mind. These systems have been touted in nearly
every magazine you can imagine and the results on athletic performance
are astounding. Q Sports has partnered with Hypoxico Inc. to help
deliver these systems, and their incredible results, to athletes in all
sports. Follow this link for
more info about the Hypoxic Systems...
-
Sept. 26, 1999 - For
Sale - We've revamped the "For Sale"
section of the Q Sports site and will be adding new Olympic items soon.
-
July 29, 1999 - Yahoo!
Skysurf Team cameraflyer Brian Rogers was a featured guest of
CNN's Bobby Batista on Talk Back Live.
The show featured a handful of "X-treme" experts. The eloquent Rogers
was at no loss for words, or air-time, he was on for over 45 minutes!
-
July 12, 1999 - Snowboarder
Lynn Ott is the newest athlete to join Q Sports.
Lynn is a four year veteran of the US Snowboard Team and a very versatile
shredder - she is nationally ranked in all of the snowboarding disciplines.
As with most of the Q Sport athletes, she has her sights set on wearing
the "stars-n-stripes" come the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake.Click
here to view her webpage.
-
July
1, 1999 -
is the newest sponsor of Q Sports speedskaters KC Boutiette, Cory and Kip
Carpenter, Derek Parra, Jen Rodriguez and Becky & Shana Sundstrom.
With the 2002 Olympics being held in Salt Lake City proper "altitude training"
is expected to play a big part in the success of our skaters at the Games.
Casio's state of the art Pathfinder
series of watches, which among many other features include an altimeter,
will help our athletes be ready when the rest of the world arrives in Salt
Lake City. Follow this link for more
info about Casio.
-
June
21, '99 - The Skysurfing portion of the 1999 Summer X-Games concluded today.
In one of the closest skysurfing competitions in history the
Yahoo!
Skysurf Team of Stefan Klaus and Brian Rogers
captured the silver medal. For the details, day by day event coverage
and lots of cool photos follow this
link to the SSI Pro Skysurf website.
-
June
'99 - in an effort to handle a growing number of athletes and sponsors,
the main office of Q Sports has been relocated. New address:
Q
Sports
2666
North 63rd St.
Suite
#4
Milwaukee,
WI 53213
ph/fax:
414-445-1518
Initial
design plans have already begun for our future site - Q
Tower, to be located within Q
Plaza!
(check back for
future details...way future!)
-
June 14, '99 -
signs on as the title sponsor of Q Sports skysurfers Stefan Klaus and Brian
Rogers. Look for Team Yahoo! to be shredding the skies above San
Francisco in the upcoming X-Games...they're the number #1 ranked team in
the world and the top contenders to win!
Click here
to check out their web page.
-
June 7, '99 - Skysurfer
Stefan Klaus in Sports Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd".
-
June 6, '99 - Snowboarder
Jeff Archibald is the newest addition to the Q Sports athlete
lineup. Jeff, a hometown boy from Salt Lake City, is currently
the #2 ranked Giant Slalom boarder on the planet and one of the US Team's
most promising medal contenders for 2002. Click
through to his webpage here.
-
June 5, '99 - Congratulations
to the new Mr. and Mrs. Derek Dwayne Parra! Q Sporter Derek
Parra exchanged vows with longtime sweetheart and former skater Tiffany
Schwier. Other Q Sport athletes in attendance were KC Boutiette,
Jen Rodriguez and Shana Sundstrom. Also making an appearance were
speedskaters Dave Tamburrino ('98 & '94 Olympic Team) with long time
National Team member Amy Sohnle and Jondon Trevena ('98 Olympic Team).
-
May '99- America Online,
the world's number one online service provider is now a proud sponsor of
KC Boutiette, Cory and Kip Carpenter, Derek Parra, Nicole Reinhart, Jen
Rodriguez, Petra Skrabar, Brian Rogers, Stefan Klaus, and Becky,
Shana and Tama Sundstrom! Thanks to AOL all of these athletes will be online
and connected to family, friends and fans - no matter what part of
the world their sport may take them to.
For
more about AOL click here.
-
May 1 ' 99 - Skysurfers
#1! - Q Sporters Brain Rogers and Stefan Klaus - Team Fanatic
- showed the X-treme sports world that they are Kings of the Sky!
At the season opener 1999 SSI Open
Team
Fanatic took top honors and in doing so improved their world
rank to a very distinguished #1!
Click
here for the official competition results.
-
May '99 -Bobsled
at Q Sports - Kurt Hopke, a race
car driving Force Recon. Marine turned bobsled driver is the newest athlete
at Q Sports - check out this Desert Storm veteran's
story
by following this link.
-
April
'99 - Kip Carpenter,
younger brother of Q Sports athlete Cory,
is the most recent addition to Q Sports. Kip was a highly decorated
short track skater who is now making the switch to the long track.
Like Cory, Kip is also a sprinter and he posted some remarkable times this
season. For more info, visit Kip's home page.
-
2/20-21 World
Sprint Championships - Calgary, Canada.
Spectators at this year's World Sprint Championships were certainly not
disappointed. Seemingly countless World and National records fell
all weekend - in the fastest speedskating competition in the history of
the sport. Jen Rodriguez,
know primarily as a threat in the distance events, made her "Sprint World
Championship" debut this year. The highlight of her weekend was an
8th place finish in Day 2's 1000 meter event (1:16.77). She placed
13th overall. Becky Sundstrom
has spent most of this season focusing on schoolwork in order to graduate
early and get ready for Salt Lake City. The World Sprints were her
first major international competition of the new year - she finished 18th
overall.
|
Day 1
|
Day 2
|
J. Rodriguez |
500 -39.50 |
1000 - 1:16.77 |
500 - 39.12 |
1000 - 1:16.27 |
B. Sundstrom |
500 - 39.42 |
1000 - 1:17.83 |
500 - 39.37 |
1000 - 1:17.34 |
-
2/19/99 - Skysurfingat
Q Sports - we are excited to announce
that we are now representing Team Fanatic, the reigning
US
National Champions -
follow
this link for more info.
-
2/18/99 - Q Sports welcomes Oakley
eyewear to our ever growing family of corporate sponsors. Oakley,
a long time supporter of many of the world's foremost athletes, will now
be sponsoring Becky, Shana and Tama Sundstrom
- follow this link for more about Oakley.
-
2/7/99 - SPEEDSKATING
- World Allround
Championships -
Hamar, Norway: In one of the most competitive World Championships
of all time - Q Sporters KC Boutiette,
Derek Parra, and Jennifer Rodriguez served
our stars and stripes with pride. In the men's division - KC
finished 9th overall (36.76, 6:39.34, 1:49.99, 14:07.06) and Derek
Parra - in his debut at the World's, finished
20th (37.51, 6:46.36, 1:51.19). For the women, Jen
Rodriguez also took 9th place (39.86,
4:13.10, 1:59.15, 7:22.63)
-
2/6/99 - SPEEDSKATING
- World Allround Championships - Hamar, Norway:
Though not by much, KC Boutiette
lowered his own American Record in the 5000 meter event on Sat. in a finishing
time of 6:39.34. His previous record of 6:39.67 was set at the 1998
Olympics in Nagano. KC also holds four other American records.
-
1/3/99 - SPEEDSKATING
- US National Sprint Championships Final Results
Overall Champions
Women |
1. Witty |
2. B. Sundstrom |
3. Sannes |
Men |
1. Carpenter |
2. Boutiette |
3. Fitzrandolph |
Day 1:
Women: 500 |
1. Witty 42.67 |
2.B.Sundstrom 42.86 |
3. Sannes 42.96 |
1000 |
1. Witty 1:23.00 |
2.B.Sundstrom1:24.23 |
3. Rodriguez 1:27.04 |
Men: 500 |
1. Fitzrandolph 38.29 |
2. Cruikshank 38.34 |
3. Boutiette 38.72 |
1000 |
1. Fitz-R 1:17.82 |
2. Carpenter 1:18.71 |
3. Boutiette 1:18.97 |
Day 2:
Women 500 |
1. Witty 41.52 |
2.B.Sundstrom 41.82 |
3.Sannes 42.84 |
1000 |
1. Witty 1:23.66 |
2.B.Sundstrom1:24.96 |
3. Sannes 1:25.52 |
Men 500 |
1. Fitzrandolph 37.96 |
2. Cruikshank 38.38 |
3. Boutiette 38.84 |
1000 |
1. Carpenter1:16.41 |
2. Pearson 1:17.60 |
3. Boutiette 1:18.38 |
-
1/3/99
-
SPEEDSKATING - DAY 2 - US National Sprint Speedskating
Championships:The snow stopped but the
mercury went sub zero on day two at the US Sprint Trials - though someone
must have forgotten to tell Cory Carpenter...who
was on fire! In the men's 500
KC
Boutiette took his third bronze medal
of the weekend at 38.84 with Carpenter
right behind in fourth (39.16). Later that night, with the National
Championship title on the line, Cory Carpenter,
paired with his little brother Kip, went to work in the men's 1000 meters.
1:16.41 later, it was a Gold Medal
and the title - "US National
Champion" for
Cory! Boutiette,
grabbed his fourth medal in four events finishing third (1:18.38).
In the ladies competition, Becky Sundstrom
added two more silvers to her ever growing collection: 500 meters in 41.82
and 1000 meters in 1:24.96. Tama
was 6th in the 500 (44.06) and 8th in the 1000 (1:29.54)
-
1/2/99
- SPEEDSKATING - Day 1- US National Sprint Speedskating
Championships, Minneapolis MN : Brutal
weather was the story at the John Rose Oval for the opening of the US Sprints
Championships, the only thing HOT
were the Q Sport Athletes!
It was a silver day for Becky Sundstrom,
first in the 500 meters (42.86) and again in the 1000 (1:24.23).
Big sister Tama
was 8th in the 500 (44.90) and 6th in the 1000 (1:29.22). On the
men's side, KC Boutiette
took the bronze medal in the 500 (38.72) with Cory
Carpenter in 5th at 39.36. Later
that evening, amidst gusty winds, Carpenter
came roaring back for the silver medal in the men's 1000 (1:18.71). Boutiette
grabbed another bronze just two tenths behind at 1:18.97.
-
12/29/98 - SPEEDSKATING- National
Speedskating Championships: Final Results
500 meters: Men 1) Carpenter
2) Pearson 3) Boutiette
500 meters: Women 1)
B. Sundstrom 2) Ochowicz 3) S. Sundstrom
1500 meters: Men 1) Boutiette
2) Pearson 3) Parra
1500 meters: Women 1) B.
Sundstrom 2) Raney 3) Shapiro
3000 meters: Women 1) Raney 2) B.
Sundstrom 3)Shapiro
5000 meters: Men 1) Parra 2) Pearson 3)
Hoffman
5000 meter: Women 1) Raney 2) Shapiro
3) S. Sundstrom
B. Sundstrom
(bye)
10,000 meters: Men 1) Trevena 2)3) Headstrand
- Hoffman (tie)
Boutiette, Parra
(bye)
12/28/98 - SPEEDSKATING-
Day
2 - National Speedskating Championships: A
fired up KC Boutiette came back strong
on Day 2 of the competition to show the speedskating world that he is still
"the man". Making it look easy, Boutie took Gold in the 1500 meters in
an American Track Record time of 1:51.57. Derek
Parra took the bronze in 1:53.04.
Once again the ladies were lead by Becky
Sundstrom, who crushed the women's field en route to her second
gold medal of the weekend in the 1500 meters - finish time 2:04.58. Sister
Shana
Sundstrom waited for the long distance event to go to work.
In the ladies 5,000 meters she took home her second bronze medal of the
weekend with a time of 7:54.81.
-
12/27/98 - SPEEDSKATING-
Day
1 - National Speedskating Championships: Cory
Carpenter lead the way at the 1998 US National Allround Speedskating
Championships by winning a gold medal in the 500 meter competition in a
time of 37.41. - Boutiette was third
(37.57). In the grueling 5,000 meter competition, Derek
Parra ignited the crowd with a gutsy gold medal performance
of his own - final time 6:47.97. Boutiette
finished fourth, less the .5 of a second from a silver medal, .01 from
the bronze.
On the ladies side it was Gold-Bronze-Gold
for sisters Becky and Shana Sundstrom.
Becky took gold in the 500, finishing in 40.50 while big sister Shana captured
her first long track National Championship medal by finishing third (42.06).
Later that day Becky showed she can cover the distance too, capturing another
gold medal in the 3,000 meters (4.29.70). Shana finished fourth in 4:32.45.
-
11/29/98 - SPEEDSKATING- Becky
Sundstrom has picked up where she left off last season, on top
of her game! In her first major competition on the new season she captured
the Short Samalog World Record (combined scoring of: 500, 1000, 1500, 3000
meter events) at the Can Am invitational in Calgary Canada. Congratulations
Becky!
-
11/98 - FIGURE SKATING-
Juley
Liddell's homepage is now open for visitors and it marks the
beginning of figure skating here at Q Sports.
-
11/01/98 - CYCLING-
Cycling sensation
Nicole Reinhart's
homepage is now open for visitors - we'll be updating her personal info
and adding more photos in the near future.
-
10/24/98 - SPEEDSKATING-
Boutie Wins! In just his second race of his first marathon season ever,
KC
Boutiette outstretched Bart Veldkamp at the line by less than
a blade length to win the Unoxcup 2 - 100 lap marathon at Utrecht. Boutiette
also captured a 1200 meter "preem" within the race. No stranger to punishing
physical contests, Boutie was later quoted saying that his victory "was
the hardest thing I've ever done!"
-
10/24/98 - SNOWBOARDING-
Petra's homepage is now posted (although all of her competitive results
are not yet complete - look for those to be added soon.)
-
10/17/98 - SNOWBOARDING-
Q Sports welcomes Petra Skrabar . Petra
is our first snowboarder, and a highly decorated one at that - she's the
three time Slovenian National Champion. Her homepage is under construction
as you read this and will soon be posted.
-
10/98 - KC Boutiette-
KC is off to Holland for a season of competing on the Ice Marathon Circuit.
We'll post his race results here as he racks up the victories!
-
10/98 - CYCLING -
Q Sports welcomes
Nicole Reinhart
to
our growing family of elite athletes. Nicole is a member of the US National
Team and a former National Champion. Look for her homepage to be posted
in the near future.
-
08/18/98
-
- Everything! This is opening day for Q
Sports International on the World Wide Web. Send us an email and tell us
what you think.
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