Triple Olympic medalist J.R Celski is among the American squad for the first two International Skating Union (ISU) Short Track World Cups of the season.
The United States have named both men’s and women’s line-ups following trials at the Utah Olympic Oval, a venue for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Celski, the Sochi 2014 5,000 meterrelay Olympic silver medalist, won all four events he competed in, claiming a total of 15 heat victories.
The 26-year-old also won two bronze medals at Vancouver 2010, in the individual 1500m and the 5,000m relay.
He will be joined in the men’s squad by former World Cup gold medalist John-Henry Krueger, as well as Adam Callister, Keith Carroll Jr, Thomas Hong and Ryan Pivirotto.
In the women’s line-up two Olympians will take their place, including two-time medalist Katherine Reutter.
The 28-year-old, who has opted to end a four-year retirement, won silver in the 1000m at Vancouver 2010 and then added 3,000m relay bronze.
Jessica Kooreman also competed at Sochi 2014, while Alex Izykowski, Kimi Goetz, Katy Ralston, Kristen Santos and April Shin have also been selected.
Nine of those picked skated for the US during the ISU World Cup 2015-16 season.
“From top to bottom, the men pushed one another this past weekend and brought the best racing out of each other,” said Anthony Barthell, the men’s short track national team head coach. “We have a strong and deep group of skaters on Team USA heading into the first four ISU World Cups. We have a few more guys who just missed the team but will continue to push our top skaters in training and contribute to everyone’s preparation.”
The first World Cup of the season will take place between November 4 and 6 in Canadian city Calgary, before the Utah Olympic Oval hosts the second event between November 11 and 13.
“It’s exciting to see Jessica [Kooreman] and Katherine [Reutter] lead our women’s team into the World Cup season and help with the growth of the rest of the team,” said women’s national team head coach Alex Izykowski. “From what we saw this past weekend, we’ve got a competitive women’s team with any of our women capable of battling in every distance.”
By Dan Palmer
Republished with permission from insidethegames.biz