Kim (Fullerton, Calif.), just 17 years old, skated to her second consecutive overall title at the U.S. National Short Track Championships Dec. 12-16 in Marquette, Mich.  Having won the 500m, 1000m and 1500m as well as the two time trials, Kim also secured her nominations to skate in all three individual distances in the 2006 Olympic Winter Games as well as the relay.

Hedrick (Springs, Texas) was the only American to qualify for the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in the 5000m and 10000m prior to the U.S. Long Track Championships in Kearns, Utah Dec. 27-31.  He skated the fastest 1000m at the U.S. Championships, securing a gold medal and Olympic spot for that distance.  Hedrick also maintained his spot in the 1500m as well as setting two new world records in the 10000m and Long Samalog at the championships.

Team Fenson (Bemidji, Minn.) went undefeated in the 2005 Korbel International Cashpiel Dec. 2-4 in Madison, Wis., winning the 18-team world curling event and successfully defending its title.  Team Fenson has yet to lose in this event.

Second place for the women went to Jessica Long (Baltimore. Md.).  Long swam her way to records in every one of her events Dec. 8-10 during the 2005 U.S. Paralympics Open Swimming Championships.  She set new American records in the 50 Free, 100 Free, 100 Breast, 100 Back, 100 Fly and 200 IM, and her 50 meter split during the 200 IM also set a new American record.  In the 50 Free, 100 Free, 400 Free, 100 Breast, 100 Back, 100 Fly and 200 IM, Long set new IPC Pan American records.  She also set new world records in the 100 fly and 200 IM; her performance earned her the female swimmer of the meet award as well.

Long track speedskater Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.) was voted to third place.  Rodriguez was the only female to prequalify and to be nominated to the 2006 U.S. Speedskating Olympic Team in all three individual distances, 500m, 1000m and 1500m, at the U.S. Long Track National Championships Dec. 27-31 in Kearns.  She maintained her dominance at the U.S. Championships by finishing with the fastest 500m and 1000m times and won gold in those two single distances. 

Second place for the men's ballot went to short track speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno (Seattle, Wash.).  After an intense week, Ohno skated to his eighth consecutive U.S. National Championship title.  By winning the 500m, 1000m and 1500m as well as the two time trials at the U.S. Championships, Ohno also secured his nomination to skate in all three individual distances in the 2006 Olympic Winter Games as well as the relay.

Zach Lund (Salt Lake City, Utah) finished third in the vote.  In December, Lund (Salt Lake City, Utah) ranked number one in the World Cup standings and led the U.S. men's skeleton team to a number one ranking in World Cup Nation points.  Lund won a bronze medal at the World Cup race in Igls, Austria Dec. 8 as well as a silver medal at the World Cup race in Sigulda, Latvia Dec. 15.

The U.S. Men's Bobsled Team finished second in team voting.  The squad placed fourth at the World Cup in Igls, Austria Dec. 11.  One week later the team won a gold medal at the World Cup race in Cortina, Italy.

Results (first place votes in parentheses)

Women
1. Hyo-Jung Kim 19 (3)
2. Jessica Long 17 (5)
3. Jennifer Rodriguez 12 (1)
Also receiving first place votes: Noelle Pikus-Pace (Skeleton), Krissy Wendell (Ice Hockey) and Valerie Gotay (Judo)

Men
1. Chad Hedrick 24 (4)
2. Apolo Anton Ohno 22 (4)
3. Zach Lund 18 (3)
Also receiving first place votes: Todd Hays (Bobsled), Taylor Takata (Judo) and Tahl Leibovtiz (Paralympic Table Tennis)

Team
1. Pete Fenson rink, Curling 31 (9)
2. U.S. Bobsled Team 28 (4)

For more information, please contact the USOC's Media & Public Relations Division at (719) 866-4529.