USS Names the 2025-26 Short Track Development Skaters of the Year
USS is proud to announce your Short Track Development Skaters of the Year; Olimpia Kazanecka and Julius Kazanecki! These skaters were awarded this title based off of their performances during the 2025-26 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 Olimpia and Julius, read what they had to say below.
Name: Olimpia Kazanecka
Age: 16
Club: Potomac Speedskating Club
Coach: Coach Simon
Who inspires you in speed skating?
Kim Gili
Where will you be in ten years?
In ten years, I see myself pursuing a career in neuroscience , with a focus on human behavior and mental health, while continuing my involvement in helping animals.
What other sports do you play?
Volleyball
What are your other hobbies?
I enjoy playing piano, working out, and going out with my friends.
How did you get involved in speed skating?
I got involved in speed skating from my older brother, Julius Kazanecki, who encouraged me to try it.
What would you consider your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment is meeting all the people I met along the way. The friendships and support I’ve gained from my teammates and competitors have shaped me not just as a skater, but as a person.
What is your favorite subject in school?
AP Psychology
What are your goals for speed skating in the next few years?
My goals are to compete at higher levels and meet new people.
What is your favorite exercise during dryland training?
My favorite exercise is plyometric training, like jumps, because it helps develop my power and explosiveness.
What’s your favorite post-race snack?
My favorite post-race snack is treating myself to sweets and fatty foods after the competition.
Where is your favorite place to race?
My favorite place to race is the Oval in Utah because I’m always surrounded by teammates and friends.
What’s your craziest hidden talent?
My craziest hidden talent is raising my eyebrows one at a time.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I’m grateful for my teammates and family for supporting me throughout my speed skating journey.
Name: Julius Kazanecki
Age: 19
Club: Potomac Speed Skating Club
Coach: Simon Cho
Who inspires you in speed skating?
Ivan Martinic
Where will you be in ten years?
“I have approximate answers and possible beliefs in different degrees of certainty about different
things, but I’m not absolutely sure of anything” - Richard Feynman. If one of the greatest
physicists of all time was unsure of anything then how can I be sure of where I will be in the next 10 years.
What other sports do you play?
Short Track, Short Track and Short Track. I don’t do other sports competitively but I do enjoy running, cycling, and lifting.
What are your other hobbies?
- Bending and rocking short track blades
- Listening to audiobooks on economic history
- Saxophone
How did you get involved in speed skating?
There was a poster at Codey Ice Arena in NJ to try Short Track. I then tried it for the first time and from then on it became an obsession.
What would you consider your greatest accomplishment?
Silver medal at Youth Olympic Games
What is your favorite subject in school?
Generating functions in combinatorics.
What are your goals for speed skating in the next few years?
Race at the World Championships.
What is your favorite exercise during dryland training?
Cross over drills.
What’s your favorite post-race snack?
Fig bars
Where is your favorite place to race?
Astana, Kazakhstan
What’s your craziest hidden talent?
I can do a handstand pushup from time to time.
