KEARNS, UT (January 8, 2012) - The 2012 U.S. Short Track National Championships concluded today as Simon Cho (Laurel, MD) and Lana Gehring (Glenview, IL) captured the 2012 overall championship titles, a first for both Cho and Gehring, who dominated this weekend’s competition.
Cho won today’s 1000m, posting a time of 1:33.850, followed by Travis Jayner (Midland, MI) at 1:33.931, and Jordan Malone (Denton, TX) in third with 1:33.967. Today’s win in the 1000m was Cho’s fourth out of the six distances raced this weekend.
“I’m happy to start off this new year with a 2012 national championship title. I went though a lot with my injury leading up to this championship and this weekend, so I’m happy not only to be able to qualify my spot on the World Team, but to come out on top,” said Cho.
Gehring continued an impressive weekend, winning both of today’s distances and capturing five out of the six titles up for grabs this weekend. Winning the 1000m, Gehring posted 1:31.129, followed by defending four-time U.S. Champion Katherine Reutter (Champaign, IL) at 1:31.539, and Alyson Dudek (Hales Corners, WI) in third with a time of 1:31.934.
In an exciting 3000m race Gehring and Jessica Smith (Melvindale, MI) fought for the lead in the 27-lap race, but Gehring crossed the finish first at 5:23.787, followed closely by Smith with 5:23.904, and Dudek in third with a time of 5:23.949.
“ It’s very exciting I had a great weekend and felt strong and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season," said Gehring. Looking ahead to the 2014 Olympics, Gehring explained, “the races are just stepping stones right now, with every step we take getting closer to the Sochi 2014 Games. I’m getting ready with every race I skate, it’s an exciting experience.”
The men’s 3000m was another close race with Jayner posting 5:00.291 and capturing the distance championship title. Malone was second at 5:00.485, and Kyle Carr (Peachtree City, GA) took third with 5:00.800.
The victory was sweet for Jayner who made it to the podium in five out of six distances this weekend. “It was great to win a race finally after two really close calls,” he said.
Reigning 1500m World Champion, Reutter announced she will be taking time off from the remainder of the 2011-12 season to undergo hip surgery to relieve an ongoing hip and back injury she has been fighting this season. “It’s better for me to try and be ready for next year, and the way to get ready is surgery as soon as possible,” she explained.
Extended results from today's races are available at the following links:
Sunday 1/8: https://webpoint.usspeedskating.org/files/Event_PDFs/1919_Event_OtherDoc5.pdf
Saturday 1/7: https://webpoint.usspeedskating.org/files/Event_PDFs/1919_Event_OtherDoc4.pdf
Friday 1/6: https://webpoint.usspeedskating.org/files/Event_PDFs/1919_Event_OtherDoc3.pdf
US Speedskating Announces 2012 Winter World Cup and World Championship Short Track Teams
Following today's competition, US Speedskating announced the rosters for the 2012 Winter World Cup and World Championship teams. Congratulations to the following skaters.
World Cup 5 (Moscow, RUS) Feb. 3-5 & World Cup 6 (Dordrecht, NED) Feb. 10-12
Lana Gehring (Glenview, IL)
Alyson Dudek (Hales Corners, WI)
Jessica Smith (Melvindale, MI)
Emily Scott (Springfield, MO)
Kimberly Derrick (Memphis, TN)
Tamara Fredrick (Park Ridge, IL)
Simon Cho (Laurel, MD)
Travis Jayner (Midland, MI)
Jordan Malone (Denton, TX)
John-Henry Krueger (Pittsburgh, PA)
J.R. Celski (Federal Way, WA)
Kyle Carr (Peachtree City, GA)
World Championships - Shanghai (CHN) March 9-11
Lana Gehring
Alyson Dudek
Jessica Smith
Emily Scott
Final Spot TBD (based on 2nd half WCup results)
Simon Cho
Travis Jayner
Jordan Malone
J.R. Celski
Final Spot TBD (based on 2nd half WCup results)
2012 U.S. National Short Track Championship Podium Results
Overall Men
1. Simon Cho (3962 points)
2. Travis Jayner (3656 points)
3. Jordan Malone (3080 points)
Overall Ladies
1. Lana Gehring (4900 points)
2. Alyson Dudek (3245 points)
3. Jessica Smith (3100 points)
4-Lap Time Trial
Men
1. Cho 37.706
2. Robert Lawrence (Gaffney, S.C.) 37.866
3. Kyle Uyehara (Lakewood, CA) 38.089
Ladies
1. Smith 40.221
2. Gehring 40.241
3. Dudek 40.446
9-Lap Time Trial
Men
1. Jonathan Garcia (Houston, TX) 1:27.751
2. Cho 1:27.915
3. Jayner 1:28.123
Ladies
1. Gehring 1:30.245
2. Smith 1:32.399
3. Katherine Reutter (Champaign, IL) 1:32.635
500m
Men
1.Cho 42.783
2.Malone 42.932
3.Jayner 43.219
Ladies
1.Gehring 44.62
2. Dudek 44.765
3. Emily Scott (Springfield, MO) 44.963
1000m
Men
1. Cho 1:33.850
2. Jayner 1:33.931
3. Malone 1:33.967
Ladies
1. Gehring 1:31.129
2. Reutter 1:31.539
3. Dudek 1:31.934
1500m
Men
1.John-Henry Krueger 2:20.937
2. Cho 2:20.942
3. Jayner 2:20.993
Ladies
1. Gehring 2:35.222
2. Scott 2:35.634
3. Dudek 2:36.300
3000m
Men
1.Jayner (5:00.291)
2. Malone (5:00.485)
3. Carr (5:00.800)
Ladies
1. Gehring (5:23.787)
2. Smith (5:23.904)
3. Dudek (5:23.949)