USS Names the 2023-24 Long Track Development Skaters of the Year
USS is proud to announce your Long Track Development Skaters of the Year; Sam Chamberlain and Ella Teeples! These skaters were awarded this title based off of their performances during the 2023-24 season. We asked each skater to fill out a questionnaire to get to know more about their speed skating careers, hobbies and so much more! To learn more about Ella and Sam, read what they had to say below.
Name: Sam Chamberlain
Age: 14
Club: Midway Speedskating
Coach: Steven Hartman
Who inspires you in speed skating?
My family, they motivate me to go faster.
Where will you be in ten years?
I’ll be 24.
What other sports do you play?
I run track.
What are your other hobbies?
I like photography and architecture.
How did you get involved in speed skating?
My mom used to skate.
What would you consider your greatest accomplishment?
I can do a backwards summersalt
What is your favorite subject in school?
History
What are your goals for speed skating in the next few years?
I want to make the Junior National Team
What is your favorite exercise during dryland training?
The single leg up and down
What’s your favorite post-race snack?
Peanut butter and honey sandwich
Where is your favorite place to race?
Roseville
What’s your craziest hidden talent?
I have a 170 day streak on Doulingo
*****
Name: Ella Teeples
Age: 14
Club: Fast Team
Coach: Mitch Whitmore and Trainer Shani Davis
Who inspires you in speed skating?
Shani Davis, Casey Dawson, Kimi Goetz
Where will you be in ten years?
Hopefully skating with the National Team, and making the Olympic Team.
What other sports do you play?
I don’t play any other sports competitively, but I do like play soccer, football, volleyball, and Frisbee with my friends and family.
What are your other hobbies?
Some of my other hobbies include, cooking/baking, archery, art, and crocheting.
How did you get involved in speed skating?
I was in the Learn to Skate program when I saw the speed skaters practicing and I thought that it would be cool to do. Eventually I made it to the Club Team and then the Fast Team.
What would you consider your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment in the past year has probably been improving my speed, technique, and skating as a whole.
What is your favorite subject in school?
My favorite subjects are Math and Aquaculture.
What are your goals for speed skating in the next few years?
I hope to make it to Junior World Team and keep moving forward with great passion and improvement.
What is your favorite exercise during dryland training?
During dryland I like jumps and power things like turn belt/ cable.
What’s your favorite post-race snack?
I like to get protein packed food like a steak or protein bar.
Where is your favorite place to race?
I like skating here at the Utah Olympic Oval.
What’s your craziest hidden talent?
I can do a 3 leaf clover with my tongue.