NFL
By: Zachary Draves
In this topsy-turvy world dominated by the threat of COVID, the US speed skating team did their absolute best to put on a great show during this past weekend’s Olympic trials in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
After it was decided that no spectators or in-person media would be allowed in attendance due to the recent omicron variant, the team had to scramble into a bubble at the Pettit National Ice Center.
(Courtesy: Team USA)
From January 5-9, 24 women and 34 men competed in six events all vying for a spot on the team for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing which is set for Feb. 3-22.
The US team is known for producing speed skating phenomes that have become household names throughout history including Eric Heiden, Bonnie Blair, Dan Jansen, and Apollo Anton Ono.
Given the pool of talent, the US is poised to do amazing things in Beijing and has the potential to bring home multiple medals after bringing home a single medal from the 2018 games in Pyongchang which was a bronze in the women’s team pursuit.
This new generation of skaters has the potential to carry on that rich legacy of the past as they possess the talent, personality, and have a strong bond with each other that makes them stand out.
After a weekend of memorable competition, the following skaters have punched their tickets to Beijing.
Women’s Team:
Brittany Bowe-1000m, 1500m
Erin Jackson-500m
Mia Manganello Kilburg- 1500, 3000m, Mass Start
Kimi Goetz-500m, 1000m
Giorgia Birkeland-Mass Start
Men’s Team:
Joey Mantia-1500m, Mass Start, Team Pursuit
Jordan Stolz- 500m, 1000m
Ethan Cepuran-5000m
Casey Dawson-5000m
Emery Lehman-1500m, Team Pursuit
Ian Quinn-Mass Start
Austin Kleba-500m
A memorable and heartwarming moment came when Brittney Bowe decided to forgo her spot in the 500m to her childhood friend Erin Jackson after she slipped during the race and finished third.
(Courtesy: Black Enterprise)
Erin is the #1 skater in the world in the 500m and Brittney recognized that and took this major step.
More about their story and the team as a whole can be found on the team’s website https://www.teamusa.org/News/2022/January/10/Meet-the-2022-US-Olympic-Long-Track-Speedskating-Team.
Erin spoke to the dynamism and vitality of the team as something to watch and for the world to take away as they commence in Beijing.
“We all have a pretty strong bond and we get along exceptionally well” she said.
“It is an awesome team environment that feels like a family and I think you will be able to see that.”
The games are from Feb.3-22 2022 in Beijing and the speed skating schedule can be found here https://olympics.com/en/beijing-2022/schedule-by-sport/speed-skating/.
