SPEEDSKATING TEAM TRIALS
The season opener World Cup for long track speedskating comes to the Olympic Oval November 9-11. But this past weekend, October 26-28, the team that will skate in that World Cup was chosen. It was three days of time trials, in each of the six distances.
It was a triumph for some and a heartbreak for others. They only took the top five skaters in the time trials, and some of the big names who weren't there, like Shani Davis, had byes.
Chad Hedricks has grown longer and leaner, and is still as fast as ever. Though a Swiss and French racer won most of the races, Hedricks put away another French racer and most of the competition. But he's looking hard over his shoulder: a new star is closing in fast. Trevor Marsicano, who only made the U. S. team in 2006, came close to nipping Hedricks in several trials. Remember Marsicano's name; he'll be the biggie in Vancouver.
Apolo Ono, who skates short track, still came to look at the races. He's mellowed a lot and looks much more relaxed than he did a few years ago. After his triumph on Dancing With The Stars, everyone knows who he is, but that doesn't bother Ono.
"I'm enjoying it all. I'm having fun with my life," he said.
Skaters came from seven different countries, and one, Philip Brojaka from England, triumphed. He set a new British National Record in the 1,500. Brojaka has been training in the U. S. for a year and a half, and it's helped him get faster.
"I'm glad about this," he grinned, rushing to get the final results officially signed so that he could submit them to the British record books.
His teammate, Matthew Lindsay, has just moved over to long track from short track. The two young men make up the entire British speedskating team.
Elli Ochowicz skated as her tiny dog Bella, a miniature greyhound, watched. It was clad in a pink sweater that spelled out "Drama Queen" in rhinestones, and Ochowicz's mother held the dog at rinkside while people came over to pet it.
Speedskating is not a cheap sport. The best blades are $700, and the custom molded boots can cost over $2,200. Ice time is expensive for those athletes not yet on the national team. But governing body U. S. Speedskating is really reaching out to bring in skaters who will keep the American team's dominance. The federation has hired high performance and conditioning coaches, and athletes now have access to nutritionists, more trainers and coaches.
The newly named long track team should do well in the World Cup November 9-11. Here is a list of the skaters who will compete in the event
Ladies 500m
Elli Ochowicz – Palo Alto, CA
Lauren Cholewinski – Rockhill, South Carolina
Rebekah Bradford - Apple Valley, MN
Jessica Smith- Melvindale, MI
Mia Manganello – Crestview, FL
Mens 500m
Tucker Fredricks – Janesville, WI
Shani Davis- Chicago, IL
Kip Carpenter- Brookfield, WI
Tyler Goff – Madison, WI
Chris Needham – Belmont, MA
Ladies 1000m
Elli Ochowicz – Palo Alto, CA
Catherine Raney – Elm Grove, WI
Mia Manganello – Crestview, FL
Jessica Smith- Melvindale, MI
Rebekah Bradford - Apple Valley, MN (Salt Lake City event only)
Mens 1000m
Shani Davis- Chicago, IL
Kip Carpenter- Brookfield, WI
Nick Pearson – Vernon, WI
Brent Aussprung – Waunakee, WI
Tucker Fredricks – Janesville, WI
Ladies 1500m
Catherine Raney – Elm Grove, WI
Mia Manganello – Crestview, FL
Jessica Smith- Melvindale, MI
Anna Ringsred – Duluth, MN
Jillanne Rookard - MI
Mens 1500m
Shani Davis- Chicago, IL
Chad Hedrick – Houston, TX
Trevor Marsicano – Balston Spa, NY
Nick Pearson- Vernon, MN
Mike Blumel – Woodbury, MN (Salt Lake City event only)