Kuck takes third in 500m and fourth in 5000m at Allround World Championships

(HEERENVEEN, Netherlands) U.S. speedskater Jonathan Kuck (Champaign, IL) skated to a third place finish in today’s 500m race at the ISU World Allround Championships. Kuck’s time of 36.3 was just .63 back from today’s winner Konrad Niedzwiedzki (POL). Teammate Trevor Marsicano (Ballston Spa, NY) finished 5th with a time of 36.40. 

“Jonathan didn’t get off the starting line very well, but he made up for it during the last lap of the race clocking the second fastest lap of the day for the men in the 500m,” said U.S. Allround Coach Derek Parra. “Trevor Got off the line a little better, but couldn’t find the speed in his sprint today and finished fifth in the event.”

In the men’s 5000m, Kuck finished fourth in with a time of 6:23.47, 3.84 seconds behind today’s winner Sven Kramer (NED). Marsicano finished 10th with a time of 6:32.79.

“Jonathan carried the momentum from the 500m into the 5000m and nearly set a personal best, but more importantly he put himself in excellent position moving into the second day of competition just .244 points behind the leader, Dutch superstar Kramer,” added Parra. 

Marsicano battled Wouter Olde Heuvel (NED) for most of his race while on a podium pace but both faltered in the final laps and Marsicano finished 10th in the 5000m and sits seventh overall going into tomorrow’s 1500m race.

The ISU World Allround Championships continue tomorrow as Kuck and Marsicano return to the ice for the men’s 1500m. Jilleanne Rookard (Woodhaven, MI) and Anna Ringsred (Duluth, MN) will compete in the ladies 500m and 3000m.

Please visit http://tinyurl.com/yk6xx3d for a complete list of World Championship results.