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Kim starts strong at U.S. Championships
By Melissa Scott // U.S. Speedskating // December 12, 2005
The journey to Torino started Monday with two time trials for U.S. short track skaters. A total of 39 skaters gathered at the Berry Events Center in Michigan’s upper peninsula to fulfill their dreams to be on the 2006 U.S. Short Track Olympic Team.
After the 9-lap time trial was skated, the number of skaters that advanced for the rest of the competition was 16 ladies and 16 men. Hyo-Jung Kim (Fullerton, CA) led the way to victory and a new American record by clocking 1:32.155, beating Allison Baver’s (Sinking Springs, PA) record of 1:32.665 set in 2001.
“I’m happy with my skating today,” Kim said. “It felt good and controlled.”
Allison Baver (Sinking Springs, PA) finished second in 1:32.330 and World Cup teammate Kimberly Derrick (Caledonia, MI) finished third in 1:35.096.
Kim held on to her lead in the 4- lap time trial setting another American record in 40.429, beating Amy Peterson’s (Maplewood, MN) previous record of 41.093. Baver and Derrick finished second and third again respectively finishing in 41.091 and 41.495.
On the men’s side, Apolo Ohno (Seattle, WA) was victorious in the 9-lap time trial clocking 1:25.114. Alex Izykowski (Bay City, MI) finished second in 1:27.427 and Rusty Smith (Long Beach, CA) finished third in 1:27.539. J.P. Kepka (St. Louis, MO) fell in his race and was granted a re-skate in which he skated 1:27.887 to land him a fourth place finish.
Ohno repeated his lead in the 4-lap time trial with a 37.156 finish time. Kepka skated to a second place time in 37.278 and Smith stayed in third place with 37.895 while Izykowski finished fourth in 38.014.
After Monday’s competition, Kim stands in first place with Baver and Derrick coming in second and third. Kristen Biondo (Broadview Heights, OH), Tina Koenig (Cleveland, OH), Maria Garcia (Carson, CA) and five-time Olympian Peterson rank 4th-7th place, respectively.
Ohno, Kepka and Izykowski stand in the top three for the men with Smith, Anthony Lobello (Tallahassee, FL), Travis Jayner (Midland, MI) and Shani Davis (Chicago, IL) rank 4th-7th place, respectively.
On Tuesday, the 1500 and 500 meters will be contested.
To watch the all the action, sign up for the webcast by visiting http://www.usspeedskating.org/ and clicking on the ‘live webcast’ button. You can also view real time results at http://www.usspeedskating.org/.
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