The Team in Marquette

[sk8er]

"Speedskating a Close Knit Community" Todays story from The Mining Journal. Look in the local sports section this week for their stories...

www.miningjournal.net/page/category.detail/nav/5010/Local-Sports.html

[mtnme]

Here's the article and photo---
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Speedskating community a close-knit bunch

By CURT KEMP Journal Sports Writer
POSTED: June 26, 2009



Nancy Renshaw-Kressler talks with Olympians Ryan Bedford, right, and Apolo Anton Ohno, left, during the 'Skate with the Team' event at the Berry Events Center. Renshaw-Kressler works in Munising, but is from Midland, Mich., the same town as Bedford. Thursday was the first time she'd seen Bedford in at least 20 years. (Journal photo by Curt Kemp



MARQUETTE - With the Skate with the Team event at the Berry Events Center Thursday, the public had the chance to see the United States Short Track Speedskating Team members up close, grab an autograph or two and lace up the skates for a spin around the ice with world class athletes.

U.S. team member and former United States Olympic Education Center athlete Anthony Lobello had his picture taken with a fan's Nintendo DSi. After the photo was taken, Lobello signed his autograph on the DSi screen with a stylus pen.

"That's the first time I've ever done that," Lobello said. "That was really cool."

Another fan asked five-time Olympic medalist and "Dancing with the Stars" winner Apolo Anton Ohno to dance, which he kindly declined.

Through it all, most everyone in attendance carried with them a team photo for autographs, a pen, and a wide-eyed expression.

The event also provided an opportunity to showcase just how much of a family the speedskating community is.

Nancy Rensha-Kressler, 68, is a Midland, Mich., native and former U.S. speedskater who has put on hiking and kayaking trips in the Munising area for 15 years. She said she read about the Skate with the Team event and, with her son Craig Kressler, 48, coming to the Upper Peninsula to renew his builder's license, said the two couldn't miss the opportunity.

The one athlete Nancy was most excited to see was Midland-native Ryan Bedford. She had coached Bedford's mom, Beth, in speedskating, and was excited at the opportunity to reconnect with the current U.S. speedskater after more than 20 years.

"I said 'Craig, look what's going on,'" Nancy said. "And see, now I can get a picture with Ryan and e-mail it to her (Beth Bedford)."

But before the event, Nancy wasn't sure she'd be able to skate with the team.

"I'm going to try to, even with a (bad) knee, I'm going to try to," she said. "But I'm not going to say anything."

Sure enough, when the event was under way, Nancy snuck her way over to Ryan Bedford and re-introduced herself.

Her excitement made both Bedford and Ohno smile, and Nancy did get the picture she wanted, with Ohno as well.

Craig, a member of the 1980 U.S. Long Track Olympic team, didn't take to the ice, though. After finding out that U.S. Speedskating Board of Directors' Vice President and Team Leader Jack Mortell - a teammate of Craig's during the 1980 Games in Lake Placid - was at the rink, he was more looking forward to catching up.

"Jack was and old guy when we were on the team together," Craig said. "Does he still have those small glasses?"

Mortell does. Craig, who took home silver in the 500, bronze in the 1000 and silver in the 1500 during the 1977 World Championships as a 15-year-old, then spent some time reminiscing about the speedskating days of his youth, including once when he - like Ohno earlier in the week - lost some of his equipment en route to an event.

Craig admitted the chances of a former-Olympian showing up to see future Olympians was slim. But like his mother said, speedskaters are a close-knit group.

"Oh, it's family. Isn't it Craig?," Nancy looked to her son, who didn't answer back. "Yes, it's family, even if he doesn't want to admit it."

[mtnme]

Friends in high places




Shani Davis chats with Apolo Anton Ohno during their training session Monday at the Berry Events Center. (Journal photo by Julia Woehrer)

Shani Davis and Apolo Anton Ohno use the unique bond they share to push each other in training

By BILL HARRIS Journal Sports Writer
POSTED: June 27, 2009


MARQUETTE - Shani Davis has had quite a unique opportunity over the past week as he and the United States Olympic speed skating team have been training at the Berry Events Center in Marquette.

As a graduate of Marquette Senior High School, a former United States Olympic Education Center skater, and a former Northern Michigan University student, Davis has had the chance to show his big city teammates around the small Midwestern town.

"Being back here is great, and the atmosphere is great in the summertime especially," Davis said. "It gets dark after 10 at night, and I went to high school here and this brings back a lot of good memories. I really do love the town of Marquette."

Though the skaters have been putting in eight to 10 hours a day training, they've still been trying to take some time to enjoy the Marquette outdoors whenever they can.

"I show (my teammates) everything I possibly can, but the fun part will have to wait because our training here is really intense," Davis said. "We're here training eight to 10 hours a day, so we're really tired."

Davis and his closest friend on the team, Apolo Anton Ohno, took a bike ride on Tuesday, something they might not have been able to do as easily if they were in a bigger city.

"When we go to other (big) cities it gets kind of crazy," Ohno said. "For me, I like coming here because I can just train. Shani and I, we rode some bikes through the city down Main Street and just sort of hung out, and we went down by the lake. We try to have some fun outside of the rink."

Ohno said though he never lived in Marquette - he has trained in Marquette on a few separate occasions, and holds personal best times in the 1,000 and 1,500 meter races at the Berry Events Center - that he was happy to be back.

"It's been a long time since I've been here in the summer, and I honestly forgot how pretty it is here in summer," Ohno said. "The winters are rough, but it's kind of like Seattle. For us, in the summer it's absolutely beautiful, but in the fall and winter it rains. It's like here, you guys kind of earn your summers. So being here, it's nice."

Davis and Ohno share a special relationship on and off the ice, and both said that they are like brothers.

"We kind of grew up together, even though he's from Chicago and I'm from Seattle," Ohno said. "We have a great relationship, he's like my little brother. It's funny because I'm so much shorter than he is and he's so much bigger, but I'm older, so he's like my little brother and I like to call him that."

Davis said that since Ohno is older, even thought it's only by three months, that he is like Apolo's little brother - in age, not in size.

"He is like a big brother, even though I'm taller than he is. I tower over him, but I kind of like it," Davis said. "Me and Apolo have been really good friends since we were about 13. I guess it's good because we're both really high caliber athletes, and we know how to push and motivate each other."

Davis said that the relationship that he and Ohno share allows them to really help each other out during their intense training sessions.

"If I'm slacking, he'll holler at me and get met back on track, and if he's slacking I'll give him some good feedback to get his head on right," Davis said. "We just really complement each other really well."

All training and competition aside, both Ohno and Davis said that they're trying to enjoy Marquette as much as they can while they're here.

"After all the medals are said and done, it's the memories I think that we enjoy the most. Like the hard training days, going up to Marquette Mountain and the sand dunes, and pushing each other," Ohno said. "Then after training's over, we're just going and relaxing. We're just kind of enjoying life.

"Anybody who knows Shani knows he's got a good heart and he loves being here. It's nice to come here with someone who really knows what's going on."

Davis has been enjoying Marquette in an extra special way since he's been back.

"The first thing I did was call Aoy LaChapelle (the owner), and she re-opened the Rice Paddy for us," Davis said. "I hadn't had Rice Paddy in three years, and she opened the shop and made some food. I've been here for three days, and each night I've had Rice Paddy for dinner.

"That's definitely my favorite place here in town, and maybe even I'll have a fourth, but I don't want to overdose on it."

[sk8er]

Here's todays story. More Apolo pix

www.miningjournal.net/page/category.detail/nav/5010/Local-Sports.html

[sk8er]

Today's Mining Journal article highlights Ryan Bedford:

www.miningjournal.net/page/category.detail/nav/5010/Local-Sports.html

[sk8on]

Olympic Day Celebration marked
POSTED: June 30, 2009

www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/529544.html

The U.S. Olympic Education Center took part in the recent international Olympic Day Celebration by taking a photo that included athletes participating in the U.S. Short Track Speedskating team's camp at the Berry Events Center in Marquette. Pictured from left are Marquette Mayor John Kivela, five-time Olympic medalist Apolo Anton Ohno, Olympic gold medalist Shani Davis, Olympic bronze medalist J.P. Kepka and USOEC Director Jeff Kleinschmidt. The photo will be sent on to the Chicago 2016 Olympic organizing committee. (USOEC photo)

[A.O.Freak]

New interview with apolo and Shani just click on the link(great pics to, to busy at work to post) on ESPN 970

www.espn970.com/sportspen.htm

Listening to Apolo's voice gave me goosebumps

[tdav]

I hate to say it but Tokyo's probably going to get it (which I wouldn't mind; I'd go anyway). Wakarimasen, it's so close between Tokyo, Madrid, and Chicago. I just think Tokyo has a good chance because Pyeongchang is supporting them and they've been bidding for the Olympic games for the past 3 or 4 Olympics.

[skaterswaltz]

Thanks for the new pictures and the radio interview! Apolo & Shani should go on the road together with that act - they are so adorable.

[sk8er]

J.R. Celski is featured in todays Mining Journal article. Cute pix SusanG

www.miningjournal.net/page/category.detail/nav/5010/Local-Sports.html

[mtnme]

Skate with US Speedskaters
from the Mining Journal, photos by Julia Woehrer

Here are some great photos of the team skating with the locals. I don't know how long this link will work, as news items from the Mining Journal seem to disappear after a few days. The photos can't be right clicked/saved as they are for sale, and I am honoring that. However you might want to take a look at them before they are lost to posterity so to speak....

cu.miningjournal.net/pages/big_photo.php?mm=2088310&gallery=301096

...I especially love the one of Shani in the pink glasses and girls figure skates! LOL. Wherever did they find a pair large enough to fit him???

[mtnme]

Here's the article Susan G posted the link to. The links tend to stop working after a few days, so I want to make sure we don't lose the articles.


Celski, 18, relishes role on US team
By CURT KEMP Journal Sports Writer
POSTED: July 1, 2009



J.R. Celski, the youngest member of the United States men’s short track speedskating team, works out at the Berry Events Center in Marquette during the team’s recent training camp. (Journal photo by Curt Kemp)


Article Photos
J.R. Celski, the youngest member of the United States men’s short track speedskating team, works out at the Berry Events Center in Marquette during the team’s recent training camp. (Journal photo by Curt Kemp)
MARQUETTE - United States Speedskater J.R. Celski smiled all through Monday afternoon's timed training at the Berry Events Center. When he warmed up, he laughed with teammates; even as he went through the first turn of his timed lap, Celski's genuine grin was visible.

In fact, during the 10 days he and his U.S Speedskating teammates spent in Marquette, there were few moments Celski didn't look like a kid in a candy store.

There's a reason for that.

At 18 years old, Celski's the baby of the men's team and he's doing what he loves: skating. And doing it against the best in the world.

"I love it," Celski said. "I love being the young guy."

The Federal Way, Wash., native has had quite a few older teammates helping him along too, including Apolo Anton Ohno, a Seattle product who took much the same path to the Olympics as Celski. Both Celski and Ohno got into the sport of speedskating through inline skating and both were top competitors in speedskating's world competitions at an early age.

But, it's been more than just Ohno. Everyone's helped Celski along the way.

"I've had no animosity or anything with anybody on the team," Celski said. "Being from Seattle, Apolo's kind of looked after me.

"Everybody's very nice."

Through his speedskating career, Celski's grown up quickly. He moved away from home at the age of 14 to pursue his Olympic dreams, and doesn't regret the move, because he said he realizes there's a connection between being mature and being on the top of the podium.

"Being in this situation, it's hard to be immature and do well," he said, "so you have to be mature about things to really perform."

From his recent accomplishments, Celski's performed just fine.

At the 2009 Short Track Worlds in Austria, his first senior-level world championship, Celski won a gold medal in the men's 3,000-meter super final, a gold in the relay and a bronze in the 1,000-meter.

He also earned a silver medal in the overall.

"I didn't expect to do as well as I did last season," Celski said, "but with help from my coaches and just skating with the guys on the national team, it has really improved my skating."

Maybe the number one reason for Celski's smiles, though, is where he's at in life. Celski is traveling the globe, making his mark in speedskating and currently vying for his first trip to the Olympic games.

"I'm very blessed," he said, "very blessed indeed to be in this situation."




J.R. Celski grins as as he works out at the Berry Events Center in Marquette during training camp. (Journal photo by Curt Kemp)

[mtnme]

USA Speedskating - Lobello looks to stand out
On a team of stars like Apolo Anton Ohno and Shani Davis, Anthony Lobello is looking to distinguish himself

www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/529732.html

By CURT KEMP Journal Sports Writer
POSTED: July 3, 2009



Former USOEC skater Anthony Lobello’s helmet has become his trademark. Skating on Monday with the team, he had it on as usual. (Journal photo by Curt Kemp)



MARQUETTE - In the sport of speedskating, it's difficult to stand out. Most teams wear the same full-body uniform, and the face is the only distinguishing aspect of the athletes.

For the United States speedskaters, Apolo Anton Ohno has his distinguishing soul patch.

Former United States Olympic Education Center resident athlete and current U.S. Speedskating Team member Anthony Lobello wears an orange helmet with tiger stripes.

"It's how I race," Lobello explained. "Claws out. Fierce."

On the right side of the helmet is the number 15 - Lobello's favorite number and his birthday (Aug. 15). His last name is on the back of the helmet.

The former soccer player - Lobello briefly played striker on the Northern Michigan University club team - said his helmet is like a jersey; it helps him stand out.

In Marquette, though, Lobello doesn't have many problems getting noticed. He spent three years at the USOEC, and those years have made him an honorary member of the community. During training camp in Marquette this past week, the Tallahassee, Fla., native said he was welcomed back with open arms.

"I grew up in Florida, but I had some very very influential years of my life right here," he said. "I couldn't have had it any better.

"The people in Marquette are true Americans. They are born and bred, the heart of the country. They know how to treat people," he added. "When I'm here, I feel like I'm home."

For the 10 days of training Lobello dubbed "hell week, but 10 days and not just a week," he said it was good to be in such a comfortable environment.

"I look up and I recognize pretty much everybody that's in the stands," Lobello said. "That's the best thing, because it's a small town feel."

In September, he'll be back in Marquette for the Olympic Trials. It's an event the 2006 Olympian is certainly looking forward to.

"When people are here watching us, it's like a completely different energy than any place else in the world," Lobello said. "This place is always so enthusiastic, and they welcome us to the town."

That's an impressive statement considering Lobello's been to Germany, Japan, China, Bulgaria, Austria and Holland - all in the past year alone.

"But, to this day, still the most packed stadium I've ever been in is this one," he said.

After the Olympic Trials, the U.S. Short Track team will be preparing for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, which, with the recent success of U.S. skaters, could be its most successful Winter Games yet. Lobello said there are five skaters on the team currently that could come home with individual medals in Vancouver, and he's positive about the U.S.'s chances.




Former United States Olympic Education Center speedskater Anthony Lobello makes his way around the ice at the Berry Events Center Monday in Marquette during the team’s training session. (Journal photo by Curt Kemp

[mtnme]

Looks like we got a little behind here on GA. Here's an article on Ryan Bedford as well...


Bedford competes in long track, short track, cycling

By CURT KEMP Journal Sports Writer
POSTED: June 30, 2009

www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/529485.html





Short Track speed skater Ryan Bedford, front, trains at the Berry Events Center in Marquette last week. (Journal photo by Curt Kemp)


MARQUETTE - Former United States Olympic Education Center athlete Ryan Bedford has become known for winning races on the ice.

At the most recent Short Track Worlds in Vienna, Austria, he took home gold as a member of the men's 5,000-meter relay team, with J.R. Celski, Apolo Anton Ohno and Jordan Malone.

Bedford said Ohno was disappointed with his individual performance at the Worlds before the event, and the unquestioned leader of the U.S. team rallied the troops for the relay.

"When the relay came around, he (Ohno) stood up and said, 'OK guys we have to do this,'" Bedford said. "So, he has his own thing, but at the same time, he can turn himself around and take charge of the team and bring it home for us."

One week later, along with Brian Hansen and Trevor Marsicano, Bedford took home the United States' first world medal in team pursuit at the Long Track Worlds in Vancouver - despite not having skated long track in two weeks and still recovering from jet lag.

"We just had to work together," Bedford said. "There were other teams that were stronger than us, for sure there were other teams that were stronger than us. Canada was stronger than us, and there were some other Norwegian teams that were stronger than us, but in the end it came down to us just working together.

"If it wasn't for that, we wouldn't have medaled," he added. "There was no way we would have medaled."

Sure, the Midland, Mich.-native has had great supporting casts, with Ohno and Marsicano - Bedford said Marsicano was the best skater on the ice at Long Track Worlds - as teammates, but he enjoys the role of team player in an otherwise individual sport.

"I thrive on other people's energy," he said. "In a team event, it takes everyone to win, if you have one weak link, it's not going to happen."

With his long track bronze, Bedford joined another former-USOEC athlete, Shani Davis in an exclusive group. The two are the only skaters who have medaled in both short track and long.

"They're considerably different sports," Bedford said. "But it just takes someone to be able to focus on both, and have the talent, the versatility, to just switch over."

During the U.S. Speedskating Team's training camp in Marquette this past week, Bedford showcased some more versatility when he raced in the Twilight Criterium Bike Race during Superior Bike Fest and finished second in the Category 4 division. Bedford said he wasn't sure he was even going to race at first. After falling during a race last summer and breaking his bike, he hadn't been riding much and he wasn't sure he was up to it. His teammates changed his mind.

"It was kind of a spontaneous thing," Bedford said. "All the skaters kind of wanted me to do it, just to have somebody to cheer on."

With his teammates getting on the microphone and yelling to him during Friday's race, his teammates got their wish.

Bedford said he enjoyed it all.

"I just kind of like to dabble in everything," he said. "It's fun. I like racing. There's nothing better than racing.

"It's just fun to do it. Competing is fun," he added. "The more and more experience you have with it, the less stressful it is at any level."



Former United States Olympic Education Center athlete and speed skater Ryan Bedford competes in the Twilight Criterium Bike Race during Superior Bike Fest Friday in downtown Marquette. Bedford finished second in the Category 4 division. (Journal photo by Andy Nelson-Zaleski)