Final Skaters Named To U.S. Olympic Team As Short Track Trials Conclude

The U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Short Track concluded today from the Utah Olympic Oval with the men’s and women’s 1000m. John-Henry Krueger (Pittsburgh, Pa.) completed his sweep of the men’s individual distances, winning the men’s 1000m, while Lana Gehring (Glenview, Ill.) won the women’s 1000m. As a result, three more skaters were named to the 2018 U.S. Olympic Team - Thomas Hong (Laurel, Md.), Jessica Kooreman (Melvindale, Mich.) and Ryan Pivirotto (Ann Arbor, Mich.) – finalizing the US Speedskating nominations.

The women’s third and final Olympic spot was up for grab’s entering the final day, and Kooreman cemented her spot on the final women’s race of the day. The 2014 Olympian needed to finish in the top three of the women’s 1000m A Final to snag the spot from Katherine Reutter-Adamek (Champaign, Ill.) and Kristen Santos (Fairfield, Conn.).

“Nothing like leaving it to the very end and the very last race, then falling at the very end and getting taken out,” said Kooreman. “I looked up and saw my coach LinLin Sun yelling at me to get to the line and all I knew is that I didn’t care. I was going to get up, get to the line and know that I crossed third no matter what.”

Kooreman was taken down when Santos fell with one lap left in the women’s 1000m A Final, but she was able to recover quickly and cross the line in third securing her spot.

“I went to battle this whole entire competition and I fought through everything that came my way, every challenge,” said the 2014 Olympian. “This definitely challenged me going into the end of my career. I didn’t know if it was going to be over today or if it was going to be over after Korea. I’m glad that I fought mentally and stayed strong and now I get to finish my career where I wanted to.” 

Krueger, who earned his 2018 U.S. Olympic Team spot on Friday, didn’t take his foot off the pedal, winning both men’s 1000m to ensure that he swept every men’s individual distance over the three-day event.

“I have a reputation for racing poorly at Trials and domestically,” said Krueger. “I race better on the international stage but I was able to transfer my international racing to the home ice. I’m really happy about that.”

Krueger and Celski finished first and second overall in the 1000m standings, allowing the fourth and fifth overall men’s points-getters from the weekend to qualify for the team. Olympic newcomers Hong and Pivirotto, finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

“It’s amazing,” stated Pivirotto. “My dreams and goals ever since I started skating have come true. I’m so proud to be part of Team USA and to be in PyeongChang for the Olympics.”

For Hong, his nomination means that he will be skating in front of his friends and family in his birth country of South Korea.

“I’m tremendously excited (to be competing in Korea),” said Hong. “I’m extremely familiar with Korean culture. I’ve lived there for parts of my life and I’m excited to go back.” 

Both Krueger and Gehring earned the most overall points in their respective classifications over the three-day competition. Krueger won all but two A finals, finishing second in the men’s 1500m #1 and third in the 500m #1. Gehring won three of the six women’s A Finals and continues a streak of having an Illinois speed skater representing the U.S. at every Winter Games since 1924.

For results, post-race interviews and other media information, visit the US Speedskating Media page here.

The entire U.S. Olympic Short Track Speedskating Team will be formally named at the conclusion of the weekend’s races and will consist of five men and three women skaters, subject to approval by the United States Olympic Committee.