|
|
|
THE JUNIOR VARSITY:
Biographies, links, news and other info about active skaters who have (at any time in the past) achieved Category 1 status, but who have not yet competed as a National Team member in World Cup, World Championship or Olympic events.
If you have news about these skaters that would be of interest, please Contact Us or post the info on the skater's thread at Our Forum.
MICHAEL BURDEKIN
If you have more biographical info (photos, articles, etc.) about Michael, please Contact Us or post the info on Michael's thread at Boots & Blades.
Michael (in red) at the 2009 National Age Group Championships (Photo Credit - Jerry Search:)
BACK TO TOP
CHRIS CREVELING
If you have more biographical info (photos, articles, etc.) about Chris, please Contact Us or post the info on Chris' thread at Boots & Blades.
Chris (in black) between Kyle Uyehara and Anthony Lobello (2010 AmCup1) – Photo Credit: Jerry Search
BACK TO TOP
ALAINA FIORENZA
If you have more biographical info (photos, articles, etc.) about Alaina, please Contact Us or post the info on Alaina's thread at Boots & Blades.
Alaina (turquoise/black) at the 2008 American Cup 1 (Photo Credit - Jerry Search:)
BACK TO TOP
DAN FIORENZA
Dan is a Rocker Fund skater, which means that you can help him achieve his short track goals by donating to him directly. His 'in his own words' biography and donation information can be found at TheRockerFund.org
If you have more biographical info (photos, articles, etc.) about Dan, please Contact Us or post the info on Dan's thread at our Forum, Boots & Blades.
--------------------
Thanks, Michelle, for this find:
Speedskating: Nation's best compete in American Cup in Ashwaubenon
BY RICH PALZEWIC • Green Bay Press-Gazette correspondent • January 26, 2009
ASHWAUBENON — There were no sightings of Apolo Ohno, but 75 of the country's best short-track speedskaters flocked to the Cornerstone Community Center over the weekend for the American Cup 3 races.
The participants ranged in age from 14 to 31 and came from as far away as California to compete in the third race of the American Cup series. Although there were no Olympic berths on the line, there was plenty of action to be had.
This was the first national caliber event held at the Resch Olympic Pavilion at Cornerstone, which opened early last year.
"We were called last year as we were completing construction to see if we were interested in hosting the event," said Cornerstone manager Don Chilson. "We didn't have to bid for it and usually that's something that you have to do. It was a no-brainer to say yes, but then we found out how much work it was."
The Green Bay speedskating club — which is the largest club in the state with more than 50 members — did most of the work by organizing meals for the elite skaters and going out and getting sponsorship for the event.
"They don't give you any money for putting on the event," Chilson added. "So we had to raise enough through sponsorship to put the event on. We've raised just about enough money to break even."
Short-track speedskating, which gained Olympic status in 1988, is one of the fastest human-powered sports in the world. Racers routinely hit speeds of 30 mph, all while skating in close proximity with three to five other competitors on a 111-meter (365-feet) oval track.
Unlike the more traditional long-track speedskating, short-track speedskaters focus more on placement rather than time. The slightest slip-up can cost skaters a chance to move on.
Much of the young talent assembled over the weekend dreams of making the Olympics, but years of dedication and perseverance are needed to turn an elite skater into Olympic caliber.
For Wausau native
Dan Fiorenza, he knows how much work it's taken and how much further he has to develop.
"I started skating when I was 5 years old back in Wausau," said the first-year Northern Michigan University student who trains at the Olympic training center in Marquette, Mich. "My dad got me started and I was hooked from the beginning.
"We get up at 5:30 in the morning and get to the rink by 6. We warm up for about an hour and we're on the ice from 7 to 9 for practice. I have classes in the middle part of the day, and then we have another practice from 3:30 to 5:30. It's really like a full-time job."
It's not all about just getting on the rink and skating, though. Athletes at the Olympic center put in countless hours doing core body work and participating in dry-land technique drills.
"We put in about five hours per day, six days per week," Fiorenza said. "We do weight-training sessions twice a week and lots of other things off the ice. You have to be well-rounded to do this sport."
Fiorenza's best result over the weekend was a sixth place finish in his specialty event, the 1500 meter in the A final.
"I wanted to get out of the quarters and into the semis," said Fiorenza. "In my semi race, I sat behind and these two guys in front of me were battling it out before they both got disqualified, so I moved on. In the finals, all the racers were very fast, and I sat in as long as I could, but with two laps to go, I was dead."
"The 1500 was definitely the highlight of the weekend for me. In all my other races, I technically raced very well and did exactly what I wanted to do, so I was happy."
In order to qualify for the Olympic Trials (for the 2010 Winter Olympics) being held in Marquette this September, Fiorenza has to shave about a half-second off his best time in the 1000-meter race.
"They use your time from the 1000 because it's the middle distance," Fiorenza said. "There are plenty of races ahead before (the Olympic Trials), so hopefully I'll be able to make it."
Whether or not an Olympic berth is in the future for the 17-year-old Fiorenza, he realizes the competition is tight. The U.S. short-track speedskating team consists of 10 members (five women, five men).
"I'd like to make the junior world team next year, and hopefully qualify for the Olympics (in Sochi, Russia) for 2014. You just train and hope to get to the top and be the best you can be."
BACK TO TOP
TAMARA FREDERICK
If you have more biographical info (photos, articles, etc.) about Tamara, please Contact Us or post the info on Tamara's thread at Boots & Blades.
Tamara at the 2008 US Championships (Photo Credit - Jerry Search:)
BACK TO TOP
JONATHAN GARCIA
If you have more biographical info (photos, articles, etc.) about Jonathan, please Contact Us or post the info on Jonathan's thread at Our Forum.
The following Hero Card was provided by US Speedskating
BACK TO TOP
KEVIN GEMINDER
If you have more biographical info (photos, articles, etc.) about Kevin, please Contact Us or post the info on Kevin's thread at Boots & Blades.
Kevin (#175) sticks close to the pack at the 2009 American Cup Final (Photo Credit - Jerry Search:)
BACK TO TOP
LANDON HATFIELD
If you have more biographical info (photos, articles, etc.) about Landon, please Contact Us or post the info on Landon's thread at Boots & Blades.
Landon (in red) at the 2009 National Age Group Championships (Photo Credit - Jerry Search:)
BACK TO TOP
KYLE HAUN
If you have more biographical info (photos, articles, etc.) about Kyle, please Contact Us or post the info on Kyle's thread at Our Forum.
Kyle (in the lead) at the 2009 American Cup Final (Photo Credit - Jerry Search:)
BACK TO TOP
LEVI KIRKPATRICK
If you have more biographical info (photos, articles, etc.) about Levi, please Contact Us or post the info on Levi's thread at Our Forum.
Levi leads the pack at the 2009 American Cup 3 (Photo Credit - Evan Siegle / Press-Gazette:)
BACK TO TOP
KENDAL PUMPHREY
If you have more biographical info (photos, articles, etc.) about Kendal, please Contact Us or post the info on Kendal's thread at Our Forum.
Photos used with permission:
 
L to R - Ladies: Sarah Chen, Lezleigh Jaworski, Kendal Pumphrey, Tina Koenig
L to R - Men: Jonathan Sermeno, Kyle Uyehara, Joey Lindsey, Eddy Alvarez
Next 2 photo credits: Jerry Search (Kendal in her signature hot pink!):
DOB: November 28, 1994
Hometown: San Clemente, California
Kendal trains with the Southern California Speedskating Association
Coach: Wilma Boomstra
Kendal is a young lady who loves the whole Speedskating experience. She thrives on racing and feels invigorated and excited when in action.
She has a fun side: Black and hot pink are her favorite color combinations, so she likes wearing her black & pink skin suit and has gloves with hot pink tips to match. When racing, she tucks her waist-length hair into a loose chignon and takes off with determination.
She also has a serious side: Kendal believes that having good character and treating others well is more defining than winning medals. Her favorite slogan is "Carpe-diem" (seize the moment). She hopes to go far in Speedskating, but in the mean time, she is enjoying the journey.
In her free-time, Kendal works hard at school, rides mountain bikes, surfs at her local beach, figure skates, is active in a church youth group, bakes cookies for friends, takes care of her 2 beloved Huskies, and keeps up on Facebook with all her skating friends across the USA.
Kendal appreciates all of the fans and supporters and says "Thank You with lots of exclamation points... for helping to make this fantastic sport grow!"
Some of Kendal's accomplishments during the 2008-2009 season:
Group 2 Champion - US Junior Championships; November 2008, Bay City, MI
Note: She qualified for top 16 for group 1 after her time trial but because she was under 14, the rules required that she skate in group 2
3rd Overall - North American Championships, Juvenile Ladies; December 2008, Madison, WI
Silver - 1000m; North American Championships, Juvenile Ladies
Silver - 666m; North American Championships, Juvenile Ladies
Gold - Ladies Relay; North American Championships (with teammates Tina Koenig, Lezleigh Jaworski and Sarah Chen)
Note: This is the second year in a row that Kendal was part of the NAM Gold medal relay team
Group 2 Champion - American Cup 3; January 2009, Green Bay, WI
Note: Once again, Kendal's time trial qualified her for group 1 but because of her age was required to skate in group 2
2nd Overall - National ST Championships (Age Class Nationals), Juvenile Ladies; March, 2009, Midland, MI
Silver - 500m; National ST Championships, Juvenile Ladies
Silver - 1500m; National ST Championships, Juvenile Ladies
4th place (Pewter) - 777m; National ST Championships, Juvenile Ladies
BACK TO TOP
KATHERINE RALSTON
If you have more biographical info (photos, articles, etc.) about Katherine, please Contact Us or post the info on Katherine's thread at Boots & Blades.
Katherine (#112) at Jr. National Championships, November 2008 (Photo Credit - Jerry Search:)
BACK TO TOP
JAMES RODOWSKY
If you have more biographical info (photos, articles, etc.) about James, please Contact Us or post the info on James' thread at Boots & Blades.
James (in the lead) at 2010 American Cup 1, Milwaukee - Photo Credit: Jerry Search
BACK TO TOP
KELSEY SCHIEL
If you have more biographical info (photos, articles, etc.) about Kelsey, please Contact Us or post the info on Kelsey's thread at Boots & Blades.
Kelsey (#86) at the 2009 American Cup Finals (Photo Credit - Jerry Search:)
BACK TO TOP
RACHEL SKROCKI
If you have more biographical info (photos, articles, etc.) about Rachel, please Contact Us or post the info on Rachel's thread at Our Forum.
Photo Credit - Jerry Search:
BACK TO TOP
RACHEL STEWART
If you have more biographical info (photos, articles, etc.) about Rachel, please Contact Us or post the info on Rachel's thread at Boots & Blades.
Rachel (in red/black) leads Jessica Smith, AmCup 1 - Photo Credit: Jerry Search
BACK TO TOP
KIRSTEN TODD
If you have more biographical info (photos, articles, etc.) about Kirsten, please Contact Us or post the info on Kirsten's thread at Our Forum.
Photo Credit - Jerry Search:
BACK TO TOP
BARRY WINSLOW
Barry is a Rocker Fund skater, which means that you can help him achieve his short track goals by donating to him directly. His 'in his own words' biography and donation information can be found at TheRockerFund.org
If you have more biographical info (photos, articles, etc.) about Barry, please Contact Us or post the info on Barry's thread at Our Forum.
BACK TO TOP
Contact us
|
|
|
|
