Olympic Trials - Marquette (Sept 8-12, 2009)

[bubblebuttsbabe]

September 9, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Short track: Celski still has Ohno's number
Posted by Ron Judd

Federal Way's J.R. Celski continued his winning ways at the short-track speedskating Olympic Trials in Marquette, Mich. today, winning another head-to-head with Seattle's Apolo Anton Ohno.

Celski won the 1,500 meters over Ohno today, then was disqualified for impeding later in the 500 meters -- after a tangle with none other than Ohno that sent Celski into the boards. Ohno would go on to finish second in that race. But at the end of the day, Celski still stands first in overall points.

Tomorrow is an off day; racing resumes Friday.

With their fast starts, both Celski, 19, who would be an Olympic rookie, and Ohno, 27, a five-time medalist, are poised to qualify for Olympic spots. The top five finishers here qualify for Olympic spots. All five would go if the U.S. qualifies a relay team; the top three in each event will go if the U.S. does not.

Stay tuned here for more results this week, and comments from the skaters tomorrow. They're due to appear electronically tomorrow at the U.S. Media Summit in Chicago.

[bubblebuttsbabe]

Source - www.uppermichiganssource.com/sports/story.aspx?id=348384

Second day action at Speedskating Olympic Trials proves depth
Apollo Anton Ohno finishes second in 1500m;500m

Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 12:30 a.m.

(Release courtesy of USOEC) It was a night of fresh faces Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Short Track Speedskating on Northern Michigan University’s campus. Newcomers excelled while some veterans fell.

J.R. Celski of Federal Way, Wash., made his presence known. The rising 19-year-old star continued to dominate his senior competitors. Celski took home gold in the men’s 1500 meters. He posted a time of 2:22.834 over five-time Olympic medalist Apolo Anton Ohno of Seattle, who finished at 2:23.050. Jordan Malone of Denton, Texas, claimed bronze in the men’s 1500m with a time of 2:23.058. Fellow rising star Simon Cho of Laurel, Md., finished on top in the men’s 500m at 41.804. “I knew before the race started that it would be crazy, so I wanted to make my move as late as possible. Obviously it paid off and I'm happy with how it turned out. I've never had a national championship before,” said Cho. “I was extremely pleased. Winning this will give me some great momentum for the rest of the competition.”Ohno settled for silver at 42.177. “The level of competition out here is great for the sport,” said Ohno. “The youth movement can give us one of the best short track teams since 2002.” Jeff Simon of Las Vegas, finished the 500m with a time of 42.177. He grabbed bronze when Celski was disqualified for impeding. The top five overall rankings are led by Celski with 3,312 points, Ohno with 2,912 points and Malone with 2,414 points. Rounding out the overall top five are Cho with 1,906 points and Travis Jayner of Midland, Mich., with 1,660 points.

On the women’s side, Katherine Reutter of Champaign, Ill., expanded her medal collection, finishing first in the women’s 1500 meters. She edged out veteran Allison Baver of Sinking Springs, Pa., 2:24.184 to 2:33.552. Reutter believed her strategy led to her victory. “When the leaders slow down, you go ahead,” Reutter said. “I think to myself ‘six laps to go and now I can go.’ It worked out.”Kimberly Derrick of Memphis, Tenn., crossed the finish line third, clocking 2:33.612. The 500m proved to be more of a challenge for Reutter. In the 500m final, the race restarted after she fell going into the first turn of the race. Reutter fell again, placing fourth overall in the distance. “I fell for the worst reason; I stepped on a block,” said Reutter, who added that the ice at the Berry Events Center was fast. Newcomer Alyson Dudek of Hales Corners, Wis., took top honors finishing at 44.541. She was followed by Lana Gehring of Glenview, Ill., at 44.887 and Derrick at 44.971.

In the women’s overall standings, Reutter is on top with 3,152 points. Dudek is second with 2,968 points and Derrick is in third with 2,880 points. Rounding out the top five are Gehring with 2,234 points and Baver 1,588 points. The Olympic Team Trials continue through Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Berry Events Center on the campus of Northern Michigan University, although there are no races on Thursday.

- - - - - -

Source - sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/more/09/09/short.track.ap/index.html

**Celski beats Ohno short track nationals **For some reason I can't copy and paste the article, so you'll just have to read it at the SI site.

Here is the picture that goes with it though:



- - - - - -

Source - www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2009-09-09-1500-short-track-nationals_N.htm

Dudek, Cho claim victories at speedskating team trials
Updated 2h 26m ago | By Jim LaJoie for USA TODAY

MARQUETTE, Mich. — Alyson Dudek set a track record in the women's 500-meter final to help put the finishing touches on an entertaining evening at the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for short track speedskating.

Dudek, a native of Holes Corners, Wis., crossed the finish line in a time of 44.541, edging out Lana Gehring (44.887). Favorite Katherine Reutter fell during the second lap of the competition and finished a distant fourth.

"My strategy was to go as fast as I could," Dudek said. "In the 500, everything happens so fast. My plan was to get off the line first and keep building speed. And, it worked. This is my first national win, so I am pretty excited. I was nervous, but once I got to the line, it was like a huge relief."

In the men's 500-meter final, the final event of the evening, late addition Simon Cho of Laurel, Md., surprised the talented field with an improbable victory. J.R. Celski and fan favorite Apolo Ohno got tangled up on the fourth lap, causing Celski to take a spill into the boards. Ohno placed second with a time of 42.177, while Celski was disqualified.

"I knew before the race started that it would be pretty crazy," Cho said. " My main goal was to stay relaxed, and make my move as late as possible. Obviously, it paid off and I'm satisfied with the results.

"I knew Apolo and J.R. were behind me and were setting up for their move. I felt it would work out in my favor. By winning the 500, it definitely boosts my confidence, but at the same time, I realize there is a lot of racing to go."

Regarding the crash, Ohno said, "I was preparing to be in second, setting up for the last corner. I think J.R. tried to pass, but there was no room. We bumped, I bumped Simon and Cho came through."

Earlier in the evening, Celski of Federal Way, Wash., pulled off a narrow win over Ohno in the men's 1,500-meter final.

"The key was staying in front," said Celski, who had a time of 2:22.834 over the 13 and one-half distance. "That's a big deal. There was a lot of grip to the ice, so I have no complaints there. "

Celski, a boyhood idol of Ohno, took the lead early and never relinquished it, despite a late surge by Ohno that springboarded him from fourth to second in the last 150 meters. Ohno finished in 2:23.050, narrowly edging out Jordan Malone (2:23.058).

"We're teammates and support each other all the time," Celski said of his relationship with Ohno. "It's great to skate against him. I am happy with my performance."

In the women's 1,500 final, Reutter, the favorite, slid past Allison Baver in a photo finish to claim first place. Reutter had a time of 2:22.184 and Baver finished in 2:24.586.

A Champaign, Ill., native, Reutter said she didn't have a set plan going into the race.

"The hardest part for a skater is knowing what to do and when to do it," she said. "It's about when the leaders slow down, you just go. I was going hard and staying away from trouble."

Reutter drifted back in the crowded finals' pack in the first six laps, but then made a burst to the outside to assume the lead.

"I saw the leader pick it up, and I figured with six laps to go, I had to go," Reutter explained. "I said, 'I'm going to go for it,' and it worked out."

Reutter lauded the conditions of the ice at the Berry Events Center. Some skaters had concerns about the ice becoming soft with higher-than-usual outside temperatures.

"The ice was fantastic," she said. "It was even better than yesterday."

In the overall standings after one evening, Celski leads the men with 3,312, with Ohno in second with 2,912. Reutter tops the women with 3,152; Dudek holds down second with 2,968.

Competition resumes Friday, with 1,000- and 1,500-meter qualifying rounds and finals. The competition, which plays a major role in selecting the U.S. Olympic team, concludes Saturday.

- - - - - -

Photo:


Katherine Reutterm, left, crashes during the 500-meter final. In the turn with Reutter are Alyson Dudek, foreground, and Lana Gehring.

[mtnme]

Well, here they are. It's 2 a.m., so these photos may have their issues, but I wanted to get them up ASAP.

There are races that you can flippantly pop off the standard line "That's short track", and then - there is this....

The photos are heartwrenching, and mercifully we didn't get pictures of Jeff's collapse in near tears in coach Wilma Boomstra's arms afterwards. Jeff would have had this race, he led most of the way.and was a mere few yards from the finish line...but as we know all too well in this sport, things can happen in a blink of an eye- and did.
I don't know what is more painful to look at, Jeff's obvious disappointment at having victory snatched from his grasp or Apolo's obvious distress on how it all went down and Jeff's perception of it.

As Gasp said....judge for yourself how the scenario unfolded.

And Thank You Soooooo much Goodtimes for these amazing photos.

[aaosmts19]

OMG these are unbelievably exciting, yet painful. Great shots, though, goodtimes and thanks for sharing. Not having seen the race, but following Tony....it looked like Apolo was NOT pleased with Jeff. Only in the very end, with the hand pat on the back, did things seem 'supportive'. Interpretations, anyone who was there?

[Laura (Lori)]

Sept 10, 2009 0:06:38 GMT -8 aaosmts19 said:

OMG these are unbelievably exciting, yet painful. Great shots, though, goodtimes and thanks for sharing. Not having seen the race, but following Tony....it looked like Apolo was NOT pleased with Jeff. Only in the very end, with the hand pat on the back, did things seem 'supportive'. Interpretations, anyone who was there?

aaosmts19 - at the point when these photos were taken, all Jeff knows is that it was Apolo's hand or bump that caused him to go down, and Jeff was not happy about it - JR was ultimately DQ'd presumably for the initial contact with Apolo, but at this point I believe that Apolo was trying to explain...

Goodtimes, thank you for getting these photos to Mtnme, and thank you Mtnme for staying up so late to get them posted.

[bubblebuttsbabe]

Not gonna lie, I can't look at these pictures without cringing. I know they're hungry for this, but - wow.

Thank you Goodtimes and mtnme. :]

[Deleted]

As a reminder---at the bottom of page 4 is the ownership caveat about the pics on this site. Please do not transfer them to any other site.

[Deleted]

Here's my post from GA. This is a composite post from me, Breidy, Justsayin' and Goodtimes

I was there. I was behind the action. I saw it develop. You may have your opinions of course and welcomed to them. But you must understand the inside pass is what began the debacle. There is no blame on one person or another. They are competitive athletes skating full-out. We knew from the start gun this was going to be THE race....AND it was.

As the group moves into the turn, Ohno's in the middle of the pack. JR comes from behind to move fwd on the inside. Cho's coming from the outside to move fwd. Apolo's in the same spot he was in as they came into the turn. He did not make an aggressive move on Jeff. The hand on Jeff's butt/hip was a defensive gesture by Apolo as JR moved to the INSIDE to pass. This activity took place in a space of about 3 1/2 to 4 feet wide. Tightest turn I have seen in short track in quite some time.

To imply that anyone cheated is just not fair. They are athletes competing. They know how to pass cleanly and when they do not there are consequences not just for them, but in this case the entire pack.

We are fortunate that they didn't all come tumbling down and slice each other with their blades. THEY WERE THAT TIGHT.

The first reaction in the arena was mixed. There were fans calling our rudely to Apolo. Jeff was distraught. Apolo was trying to explainto Jeff what Jeff could not see since he was in the lead. Apolo points to the jumbo tron asking Jeff to watch the replay. The replay on the big screen tells the tale.

At the close of the evening those that saw the official tape, have indicated the referees calls was right-on since JR moved into a pass that was questionable to try, considering the close quarters of the turn. The rule is simple: the responsibility for a safe, clean pass, goes to the skater moving to the inside.

The bottom line. When all is said and done, these athletes will have to put this behind him, and come together once again as a TEAM in Vancouver.

Let's hope the fans can do the same.

Regarding the pictures on Rocker-U. You cannot freeze frame moments in time. You must look at the pictures as a whole, as though you too were in the stands, behind the action just as we were.

To select one picture and say "this" caused "that" is just not fair and "cheats" you the viewer from understanding the entire scope of what happened on Day 2 in the 500 Final.

[toehold4]

Thanks to all who spent the extra time and effort to get these posted for those of us who aren't there and were mighty confused and perplexed as to what went down during that 500m A final. Seeing these pictures doesn't help the overall angst, but does help to understand the emotions and what actually happened...

Goodtimes...those are some great pictures...Kudos!!!

Mtnme...beyond the call of duty to stay up so late to post for us...

Very heart wrenching all around, for Jeff especially, and Apolo...
DQ for JR was the right call, IMO...

[ruff]

Sept 9, 2009 23:22:36 GMT -8 mtnme said:

Ha. Gurl, tell 'em why you mad.

[mtnme]

More photos by Goodtimes of Wednesdays awards ceremony. (Captions to be added later)

[Laura (Lori)]

From Tony’s unofficial results, after Day 3 of 4:

OVERALL RANKINGS:
Formula: Sum of points in all races and both Time Trials
Points remaining to be awarded: 500M#2 and 1000M#2

LADIES:
1) REUTTER, Katherine - 5152
2) DUDEK, Alyson - 4178
3) DERRICK, Kimberly – 3930
4) GEHRING, Lana - 3074
5) BAVER, Allison - 3028
6) SMITH, Jessica - 2300
7) GRACE, Mary - 1219
8) WILKINS, Cherise - 1161
9) GARCIA, Maria - 1020
10) SCOTT, Emily - 851
11) MILAN, Sonia - 815
12) BIONDO, Kristen - 660
13) JAWORSKI, Lezleigh - 533
14) FREDERICK, Tamara – 398
15) IZYKOWSKI, Morgan – 376
16) BARTLETT, Erin - 331

MEN:
1) OHNO, Apolo – 4912
2) CELSKI, JR - 4752
3) MALONE, Jordan - 3188
4) JAYNER, Travis - 2670
5) CHO, Simon - 2504
6) SIMON, Jeff – 2021
7) LOBELLO, Anthony - 2017
8) LEVEILLE, Ryan - 1540
9) BEDFORD, Ryan - 1105
10) LAWRENCE, Robert - 939
11) LINDSEY, Joey - 720
12) KEPKA, JP - 720
13) ALVAREZ, Eddy – 615
14) CREVELING, Chris – 530
15) GARCIA, Jonathan – 478
16) HAUN, Kyle – 354

---------------------------------------------

DISTANCE RANKINGS: (figures are rounded)

500M
Formula: Final points – (500M#1 + 500M#2 + 4LTT)
Points remaining to be awarded: 500M#2

LADIES:
1) DUDEK – 2000
2) DERRICK – 1440
3) GEHRING – 1312
4) REUTTER – 1152
5) SMITH – 738
6) GARCIA – 672
7) WILKINS – 590
8) (tie) BAVER – 378
8) (tie) GRACE – 378
10) JAWORSKI – 268
11) BARTLETT – 162
12) FREDERICK – 151
13) MILAN – 141
14) SCOTT – 138
15) BIONDO – 121
16) IZYKOWSKI – 79

MEN:
1) CHO – 1328
2) (tie) OHNO – 1312
2) (tie) CELSKI – 1312
4) MALONE – 1134
5) LOBELLO – 850
6) JAYNER – 738
7) SIMON – 675
8) LEVEILLE – 454
9) BEDFORD – 430
10) KEPKA – 317
11) LAWRENCE – 296
12) CREVELING – 254
13) ALVAREZ – 214
14) LINDSEY – 169
15) GARCIA – 138
16) HAUN – 99

-----------------------------------------------

1000M
Formula: 1000M#1 + 1000M#2 + (1500M#1 + 1500M#2 + 9LTT/3)
Points remaining to be awarded: 1000M#2

LADIES:
1) REUTTER – 2000
2) BAVER - 1310
3) DUDEK – 1259
4) DERRICK – 1103
5) GEHRING – 929
6) SMITH – 661
7) GRACE – 455
8) MILAN – 443
9) SCOTT – 327
10) BIONDO – 292
11) WILKINS - 262
12) GARCIA – 162
13) JAWORSKI – 145
14) FREDERICK – 112
15) IZYKOWSKI – 99
16) BARTLETT – 93

MEN:
1) OHNO – 1867
2) CELSKI – 1573
3) JAYNER – 1177
4) MALONE – 1026
5) SIMON – 667
6) LOBELLO – 662
7) LEVEILLE – 537
8) CHO - 449
9) BEDFORD – 365
10) LINDSEY – 295
11) LAWRENCE – 244
12) KEPKA – 224
13) ALVAREZ – 157
14) HAUN – 156
15) GARCIA – 150
16) CREVELING – 138

-------------------------------------------------------

1500M
Formula: 1500M#1 + 1500M#2 + (1000M#1 + 1000M#2 + 9LTT/3)
Points remaining to be awarded: One-third of points earned in 1000M#2

LADIES:
1) REUTTER – 2667
2) BAVER – 1950
3) DERRICK – 1683
4) DUDEK – 1218
5) SMITH – 1203
6) GEHRING – 1079
7) SCOTT - 552
8) GRACE – 526
9) MILAN – 426
10) WILKINS – 388
11) BIONDO – 381
12) GARCIA – 245
13) JAWORSKI – 171
14) FREDERICK – 128
15) IZYKOWSKI – 122
16) BARTLETT – 109

MEN:
1) OHNO – 2400
2) CELSKI – 2347
3) MALONE – 1286
4) JAYNER – 1125
5) CHO – 1007
6) SIMON – 987
7) LEVEILLE – 693
8) LAWRENCE – 577
9) LOBELLO – 552
10) BEDFORD – 446
11) ALVAREZ - 332
12) GARCIA – 274
13) KEPKA – 242
14) CREVELING – 173
15) HAUN - 160

[Laura (Lori)]

From the above totals, it looks like the only position that is mathematically 'locked up' is Katherine Reutter in the 1500.

Congratulations, Katherine!

If my math is correct - with the small amount of points that remain to be awarded in the 1500M formula (i.e., one-third of points earned in the 1000M#2), Celski can still catch Ohno if he wins the 1000M#2 (OR if he finishes second, but ahead of Ohno).

[Laura (Lori)]

Ohno gets 2 wins at short track nationals
Five-time Olympic medalist sweeps 1,000 and 1,500 meters
Associated Press - Sept 11, 2009


Apolo Anton Ohno celebrates after winning the 1000-meter final at the U.S. short track speedskating championships on Friday. Photo: Carlos Osorio, AP

MARQUETTE, Mich. — Apolo Anton Ohno left trouble in his tracks and returned to a place he knows best: the winner’s spot on the podium.


The five-time Olympic medalist swept the 1,000 and 1,500 meters at the U.S. short track speedskating national championships on Friday night, earning his first victories in six events.

“I felt more comfortable,” he said. “I feel more settled. It’s been 10 years since I raced in September. My body is not acclimated to it.”

Ohno was not in favor of U.S. Speedskating’s decision to move the trials up three months, making them the first meet of the season. Officials said it would give the Olympic team more time to prepare for the Vancouver Games in February.

But Ohno worried the quality of the team could be compromised if skaters who peak in the fall and then tail off early in the Olympic year were to qualify.

His two titles moved Ohno into the overall points lead with one night remaining at the meet that awards Olympic berths to the top five skaters. He overtook J.R. Celski, who had led through the first two nights and is 160 points behind Ohno’s total of 4,912.

“It was important,” Ohno said. “Just to be consistent is the name of the game. J.R. is skating fantastic. It’s kind of anybody’s race. It’s a strategy game.”

Jordan Malone was third overall with 3,188, followed by Travis Jayner (2,670) and Simon Cho (2,504).

Ohno held off Jayner at the finish of the 1,000 on the hockey rink at Northern Michigan University. He was timed in 1:29.963 to 1:29.998 for Jayner.

Ohno returned later for a wild and woolly 1,500 jammed with seven skaters, creating the potential for plenty of trouble.

But he steered clear, making a successful pass on leader Celski with two laps to go to win. Ohno pumped his right arm and clapped his hands, ending a string of second-place finishes in the first two days. He was timed in 2:17.486. Celski crossed in 2.17.733.

“I just wanted to be safe,” Ohno said.

Ryan Bedford and Malone wiped out just before the finish line. Both were disqualified, Bedford for impeding and Malone for crosstracking.

Celski finished second. He was third behind Ohno in the 1,000.

Charles Ryan Leveille and Bedford were eighth and ninth, respectively, and will need to make a serious push Saturday night to keep alive their bids to make both the short and long track Olympic teams.

The lead in the 1,000 was traded back and forth before Ohno sneaked inside Celski to go in front for good with four laps remaining.

Ohno had finished second in the 500 and 1,500 individual events and in the nine-lap time trial and was fourth in the four-lap time trial.

On the women’s side, Katherine Reutter swept the 1,000 and 1,500 races, giving her four victories in three days of competition.

The 21-year-old skater from Champaign, Ill., leads the overall standings with 5,152 — 974 ahead of Alyson Dudek.

She had already won the first of two 1,500 finals and the nine-lap time trial.

Reutter made an outside pass with two laps remaining and zipped from third to first in the 1,000. She was timed in 1:31.606.

“The outside pass is definitely the safest, which is why I mostly do it,” she said. “The biggest thing I wait for is an opening. You have to watch everyone in front of you. It’s really a timing thing.”

Later, Reutter returned to win the 1,500 by picking off four skaters in front of her to take the lead for good.

“One of my goals was to be able to change strategy while racing,” she said. “That’s one of my weaknesses. I wanted to be very flexible.”

Two-time Olympian Allison Baver was second in her first meet since shattering her lower right leg in a race in February. Baver solidified her hold on the fifth Olympic berth.

Kimberly Derrick finished second in the 1,000, but was disqualified for impeding. That moved Dudek up to second, with Baver third and Lana Gehring fourth.

Derrick is third overall, followed by Gehring.

[Laura (Lori)]

It was a bittersweet day at the Berry Center.

I'll start with the good...

Congratulations to the Olympic Team nominees - if we have a successful run at World Cups 3 & 4 the following skaters will be representing us in Vancouver:

Katherine Reutter
Alyson Dudek
Allison Baver
Kimberly Derrick
Lana Gehring

Apolo Ohno
JR Celski
Jordan Malone
Travis Jayner
Simon Cho

Congratulations to all of you!

And now for the not-so-good...

...seeing the disappointment of those who really had a good shot at the team, but fell short. Some are young and will have another chance, but for others, this was probably their last chance.

And the injuries... the most dramatic ones were Maria Garcia, who was immobilized and taken away by ambulance, and of course JR Celski, who was badly cut by his own skate blade.

Rumors were flying about their condition, so I'll wait for official word - I'm hoping that USS will put out an update soon. However, everything we've heard 'through the grapevine' is very encouraging about both of them.

The last thing I'll say before I sign off is this: I hope that whoever bought those high-tech pads at the Berry Center kept the receipt...