Record-Breaking Short Track Age Group Nationals Close Out the 2025-26 Season

The 2025-2026 season concluded with the 2026 Age Group Nationals (AGN), held March 20-22. The event was co-hosted by US Speedskating, the Skating Club of Boston, and Bay State Speedskating Club. This year’s competition featured a record-breaking 213 qualified skaters, nearly double last year’s 129, highlighting significant growth across all age divisions and reflecting the continued expansion of the sport.

The biggest storyline of the weekend was the long-awaited return of Junior E skaters (ages 7-10), who stepped back onto the AGN for the first time in four years. With a qualifying time of 59.990 seconds for 500 meters, a total of 53 skaters competed in this division, making it the largest age group. These young athletes brought fresh energy and delight to the competition. US Speedskating hosted a special Junior E mini-camp on Thursday afternoon, led by coaches Hongyang Wang and Mikey Burdekin. Off the ice, USS Short-Track Speedskating Program Director Andrea DoDuc held a parent information session. Both the mini-camp and the meeting emphasized the Long-Term Athlete Development Model (LTADM), focusing on experience and participation.

Andrea DoDuc remarked, “The future of short track in the U.S. starts with the opportunities we create for our young athletes. The return of Junior E at AGN reflects our commitment to long-term athlete development and gave these athletes the chance to experience a national competition environment while still integrating key developmental elements like the Devo track and relays. The parents meeting allowed us to share our vision and help families better understand the pathway and how we can all work together to develop the next generation of U.S. short track skaters. Seeing so many smiles this weekend showed just how valuable this experience was, and it makes me even more excited about the future of our sport!”

Coaches and clubs widely applauded the decision to bring back Junior E skaters to AGN. For Hongyang Wang, founder and head coach of Pinnacle Speedskating Program, the impact was clear: “I believe bringing back the Junior E was the right decision. The earlier the young kids face the realities of competitive sports the sooner they develop mental toughness. It gives families a clearer understanding of what this sport truly demands and helps them move forward with eyes wide open.” Notably, Pinnacle Speedskating Program brought 8 Junior E skaters to this year’s AGN, the most of any club or program.

Another highlight of the event was the 2000m Mixed Relay on Saturday afternoon. The competition featured 10 Mixed Relay races, including 8 Junior and 2 Masters groups, bringing together a total of 160 skaters. Teams were formed shortly before the races, with many skaters meeting their teammates for the first time just minutes before competing. It was fascinating to watch how quickly teams coordinated, developed strategies, and built connections with skaters they had just met.

Competition was fierce across all age groups, spanning ages of 7 to 75, with multiple national records broken. From explosive starts to dramatic finishes, every race showcased the passion and relentless determination that defines short-track speedskating. See the full results on the US Speedskating Results page: https://www.usspeedskating.org/results

Among the 27 participating clubs, Potomac Speedskating Club once again claimed the USS Short-Track National Club Champion, marking its eighth consecutive title. Celebrating the achievement alongside the club’s 28 attending skaters, coach Simon Cho expressed his pride: “Potomac has won the Club Championship every year since 2017 and I’m incredibly proud of our current team for continuing the streak. The competition was extremely tough, and we look forward to training harder for next year!” Garden State finished in second place, followed by Flushing Meadows in third.

This year’s AGN also marked the kickoff of the USS Tour of Olympians. Four 2026 Winter Olympians: Kristen Santos-Griswold, Julie Letai, Andrew Heo, and Clayton DeClemente, spent time with skaters on Saturday night during the Pasta Party. They also block-chased on Sunday morning and met with athletes at the USS tables for autographs. All four Olympians were featured in the awards ceremony, giving skaters the opportunity to interact with elite athletes and create lasting memories.

Special thanks to the Skating Club of Boston for providing an outstanding facility and high-quality ice, to Bay State Speedskating Club for hosting, and to all the volunteers and officials whose dedication made the event possible. We look forward to seeing everyone next year at the 2027 AGN, March 19-22, at ProSkate Ice Arena in New Jersey.