SARAH WARREN AND THOMAS HONG TO REPRESENT TEAM

USA AT 2012 WINTER YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES

Following the conclusion of yesterday’s American Cup 2 in Cleveland, OH, Sarah Warren, 15, (Willowbrook, IL) and Thomas Insuk Hong, 14, (Laurel, MD) were nominated to the United States  Olympic Committee to represent Team USA in short track at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Innsbruck, Austria, January 13-22. The skaters will compete in the 500m and 1000m distances, and the mixed 3000m relay. US Speedskating coach Joe Rohraff (Freeland, MI) will serve as the U.S. YOG Short Track Coach and Team Leader.

Warren and Hong qualified for their nominations by placing first in the overall classification among the athletes in Group 2, and among athletes in the Youth Olympic Games eligible age bracket (those born between January 1, 1996 and December 31st, 1997), following competition at this weekend’s American Cup 2.

“I was so happy, I didn’t really believe it happened.” said Warren yesterday about being named to the YOG squad. “It was a jaw dropping moment. I am so thankful to have this opportunity while I’m so young. I feel really confident to show the world how great the U.S. can be.”

Hong agreed, “I felt a feeling of relief and accomplishment. I was racing hard over the weekend, and I was just glad it was finally over. But then again, I felt great to have stood out on the ice with Sarah to be representing the U.S. I'm looking forward to just skating against new opponents from different parts of the world and racing my hardest to do so. Winning this spot was a goal of mine ever since I heard of the YOG, and my family is proud that I earned the spot.”

Rohraff looks forward to Hong and Warren’s turn on the international ice. “I definitely think they are both ready to break into the international scene at the junior level,” he said. “ The 500m and 1000m distances are among  Sarah’s strongest, and the strongest for Thomas as well. This is the first time that the U.S. has participated in short track in the YOG. It’s going to be real exciting for the skaters and the U.S, to have another platform to continue to make our mark in the sport.”

Hong and Warren both have spent many years on the ice. Hong began skating at the age of 4 1/2, and Warren at age 10, switching over from the sport of ice hockey. Both attend school full-time in addition to their training, and both maintain a 4.0 GPA.

“Because I am very dedicated to school, it's been fairly difficult to manage both short track and school. If needed, I would sometimes miss practice to complete schoolwork,” explained Hong, who is enrolled in the gifted and talented program at

his school.

In addition to her studies and skating, Warren also participates in soccer and track and field and is also enrolled in an all honors course-load at her high school. “I really can’t procrastinate,” explained Warren when asked how she balances school and training. “I have to just bear down and do it. Success in both school and sport takes hard work to stay

on top.”

For now, Hong and Warren will head back to their home clubs to train for the YOG. US Speedskating will announce the two nominations for long track YOG athletes in December. There are only 74 days until the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games. To find out more about the YOG, please visit  http://www.innsbruck2012.com/en.

Congratulations to Sarah, Thomas, and good luck to both athletes and coach Rohraff in Innsbruck.

U.S. SINGLE DISTANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS/FALL WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS COME TO THE UTAH OLYMPIC OVAL, NOV. 4-6

The top long track athletes in the U.S. will compete in the U.S. Single Distance Championships/Fall World Cup Qualifiers at the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns, UT, Nov. 4-6. Competition begins at 9am daily, Friday’s races will be in the 500m, 3000m and 5000m distances, Saturday’s races will be in the 500m and 1000m distances, and Sunday will feature the 1500m distance. Following the competition on Sunday, US Speedskating will announce the 2011 U.S. Long Track Fall World Cup team that will compete in the all distance World Cups 1-3. Results will be available this weekend on US Speedskating’s Facebook and Twitter pages and our Up-to-Speed blog.

Good luck to the long track skaters this weekend!

TSA FLYER OUTLINES TRAVEL WITH SKATES

The United States Olympic Committee has been working with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to improve their handling of skates.  The TSA has produced a helpful flyer specifically addressing travel with speedskates, please download the flyer here.

It is not necessary to bring this flyer to the airport. However, if you take this flyer to the airport when you are carrying skates on the plane, this flyer will further remind TSA employees at the airport that the skates are allowed on planes.

DEMORRA SPEEDSKATING LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK PAGE

DeMorra Speedskating in Lakewood, CA has launched a new website (www.demorraspeedskating.com) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/DeMorraSpeedskating). Log on, ‘like’ and follow DeMorra this season.

LIFE IN LYCRA: MEET THE TEAM BEHIND THE SHORT TRACK TEAM

You’re already familiar with the athletes on the ice, but take a minute to meet a just a few of the World Cup short track staff that work behind the scenes to help the team succeed on the ice in this week’s Life in Lycra...

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

KRUEGER AND BARTLETT TOP AMERICAN CUP 2 STANDINGS

FOR U.S.

It was an exciting, and busy weekend of short track racing in Cleveland Heights, OH, as a field of over 230 skaters took to the ice for the American Cup 2 and the Ohio Invitational.

Following his World Cup debut in Salt Lake City last weekend,  John-Henry Krueger (Pittsburgh, PA) notched his first career overall American Cup win with 3069 points and winning three (500 and two 1500) of his four distances raced this weekend. Chris Creveling (Marquette, MI) took the second spot overall with 2230 points and a win in the 1000m, and Sasha Fathoulin was third with

2007 points.

In the ladies overall standings, Canadian Keri Morrison finished first with 2431, followed by US Speedskating Short Track National Racing program member Erin Bartlett (Lakewood, OH) with 2326 points in second, and 2010 Olympic bronze medalist Kimberly Derrick (Memphis, TN) in third with 2320 points, with a win in the weekend’s first 1500m distance.

In American Cup Group 2 competition, Thomas Insuk Hong (Laurel, MD) took first in the men’s overall standings with 3800 points and wins in three (500, 1000 and 1500m) of his four distances raced this weekend. Evan Opeka (McMurray, PA) placed second overall with 2912 points, and Aaron Tran (Federal Way, WA) took third with 2378 points and a win the in second 1500m event of the weekend.

Sarah Warren (Willowbrook, IL) placed first in the overall Ladies Group 2 standings with 3440 points, and wins in the 500 and 1500m distances. Jacqueline Chen (San Marino, CA) finished second with 3210 points and wins in the 1500 and 1000m distances. Heather Clarke (CAN) placed third overall with 2374 points.

American Cup 2 introduced a new qualification system which required skaters to win their qualifying round and/or skate their fastest while winning the qualifying race.

Any additional open qualifying spots, varied from race to race and were dependent the number of participants, are then were filled by those skating the fastest times.
 

Thank you to the organizing committee and volunteers with the Ohio Speedskating Association for staging an outstanding competition this weekend. Complete race results from the American Cup 2 and the Ohio Invitational can be found here.

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What Is the learning distance between Ashworth College and its students...

Answer -- There is no learning distance because Ashworth College is an online school that allows our 16 current student athletes to study from wherever they are at. Learn all about Ashworth College here -- www.ashworthcollege.edu.

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